Pochettino hails best Chelsea performance of the season

Enzo Fernandez scored his second FA Cup goal of the season as Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 3-1 to move to the next round of the FA Cup. The Blues, who are already in the final of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Liverpool, drew goalless against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.

However, the Blues took the second leg at Villa Park with both hands, and it is not surprising to see Mauricio Pochettino tag the performance as Chelsea’s best of the season.

“It was one of the best performances of the season. I think the players really enjoyed the game, and yes, I think we played well against a very difficult team. Aston Villa is doing a terrific job; they are in a position in the top four, and of course, they are, I think, the second-best team playing at home.” He said.

“Too many things happen when you lose a game. The expectation is massive. Sometimes, the expectation is not easy because we are still a young team. But we are growing in a really good way. To be in the final of the Carabao Cup and now in the next round of the FA Cup, I think playing this way, we can win more games than we lose.” Pochettino added.

Chelsea started brightly, with Conor Gallagher opening the scoring after 11 minutes; Senegalese forward Niklas Jackson doubled the score ten minutes later.

Enzo Fernandez confirmed the result nine minutes into the second half, and although Aston Villa scored a late stoppage-time goal, it was only a mere consolation.

Chelsea will turn their attention to the Premier League, where they will travel to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park over the weekend. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will face Manchester United in the Premier League at the weekend.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu