Chelsea travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in their FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday night. The Blues are coming off the back of consecutive Premier League defeats and may be underdogs against the high-flying Villans.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men drew 0-0 in the home fixture and have struggled on the road, so this won’t be easy. Villa thrashed Sheffield United on the weekend and had only lost twice at home, so they’re formidable.
Tough evening ahead for Chelsea
Chelsea come into Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash in bad shape. The Blues are winless in their last three games in all competitions, conceding eight goals while scoring three. Chelsea were thrashed at Liverpool and then put to the sword at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, so they’re vulnerable.
Mauricio Pochettino’s feeling the pressure and knows cup competitions might be what saves his job, so he’ll want a performance. Chelsea have an affinity for the FA Cup, reaching three finals in the last four seasons, but all were lost. Their away form is a real worry ahead of the trip to Villa Park too.
Chelsea have managed just one win on the road since November 2023, losing six of their last seven games. They haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home since October, so that’s music to the ears of Villa.
Villa are dangerous this season
Villa beat Sheffield United 5-0 just days ago, so they’ll more than back themselves to breach Chelsea’s defence. They’re seven places and 15 points better off in the Premier League table than Chelsea, so they should be favourites.
Villa have won 13 and drawn one of their 16 home games in all competitions, so they’re hard to beat. Unai Emery’s men have beaten Manchester City and Arsenal at Villa Park this season, so they won’t fear Chelsea.
Chelsea have a good FA Cup head-to-head record, however, beating Villa in their last three meetings before the draw. But they have failed to beat the Midlands outfit in their previous three games, so it’s a big test.
