Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE!

Chelsea are into the last 16 of the FA Cup after producing arguably their best performance of the season so far at a crucial time for under-fire boss Mauricio Pochettino. The former Tottenham head coach had come under more mounting pressure after dreadful back-to-back losses against Liverpool and Wolves amid growing criticism from fans and pundits alike, not to mention Thiago Silva’s outspoken wife Belle.

But the Blues stood up and fought for their manager at Villa Park, stunning Unai Emery’s high-flying side with a dominant display in the fourth-round replay that followed a tame goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last month. Stand-in captain Conor Gallagher scored his first goal of the season to give the visitors an early lead that was quickly doubled when Nicolas Jackson headed in a cross from Malo Gusto.

Enzo Fernandez notched a sublime free-kick shortly after half-time, with Moussa Diaby’s effort only a late consolation for the Villains as Chelsea teed up a fifth-round meeting with Leeds. Follow Aston Villa vs Chelsea reaction live below, featuring expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park!

Aston Villa vs Chelsea highlights

• GOAL! Diaby fires late Villa consolation

• GOAL! Fernandez nets stunning free-kick

• GOAL! Jackson heads in to double advantage

• GOAL! Gallagher gives Chelsea early lead

Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

21:55 , George Flood

Full-time

What a win and what a performance from dominant Chelsea to ease the pressure on Pochettino, with Villa’s spirited rally there coming way too late.

The Blues step up to fight for their under-fire boss after two wretched displays and will face Leeds at home in round five on February 28.

Next up is a Premier League London derby against struggling Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Villa looking to bounce back against Manchester United on Sunday.

Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

21:55 , George Flood

93 mins: A late rally from Villa here, but surely it’s too little, too late.

After Gallagher’s shot is saved, Cash sees an effort blocked before Iroegbunam’s header is repelled by Petrovic.

At the other end, Caicedo is denied by Martinez.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea | Moussa Diaby 91'

21:51 , George Flood

91 mins: Villa have a consolation in stoppage time!

Ramsey’s cut back from the byline is swept in off the post by Diaby from just outside the box.

Petrovic no doubt furious that his clean sheet is gone.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:49 , George Flood

87 mins: Kamara and Bailey off for Villa now.

The fit-again Nicolo Zaniolo and young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam enter the fray.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:48 , George Flood

86 mins: Badiashile has picked up a late knock for Chelsea here and is replaced by young Alfie Gilchrist.

Nkunku also replaces Jackson.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:42 , George Flood

82 mins: Now we are seeing the back three from Chelsea that many expected from the start tonight.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:42 , George Flood

81 mins: Hang on a moment, Silva is on for Palmer, but Caicedo is back up and wanting to come back on.

He’s going to as well - Nkunku not coming on for now.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:40 , George Flood

80 mins: Caicedo is going off, as is Palmer.

Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku are both coming on.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:39 , George Flood

78 mins: Chelsea are very eager to exploit the huge gaps being left in behind by Villa as the hosts push to make the last few minutes at least somewhat interesting.

Caicedo is now down on the side of the pitch. Pochettino is preparing to send on Thiago Silva.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:36 , George Flood

76 mins: Close for Villa as Moreno lands a header on the roof of the net at the back post!

Chelsea can’t afford to get too comfortable here...

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:35 , George Flood

74 mins: Diaby skews wide for Villa before Pochettino sends on Raheem Sterling for Madueke, who had a good game tonight.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:33 , George Flood

70 mins: Emery finally looks to his bench for the first time tonight as Moussa Diaby and Jacob Ramsey replace McGinn and the woefully ineffective Tielemans.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:30 , George Flood

69 mins: This just isn’t happening for Villa as Bailey gets into the box and does his best to force an opportunity.

They come again and Disasi makes a great block to deny McGinn.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:26 , George Flood

65 mins: McGinn fires well wide from the edge of the box for Villa, sure that he was fouled - nothing given.

It did look a very clumsy challenge from the otherwise impressive Caicedo.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:23 , George Flood

63 mins: The ‘oles’ have long since started from the 6,300 travelling Chelsea fans, who are having the time of their lives tonight in that away end.

They haven’t had many of these performances to enjoy in recent times and they are determined to make the most of it.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:20 , George Flood

You can watch this again and again. An absolute pearler from the World Cup winner...

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:19 , George Flood

58 mins: Action at both ends as Kamara almost forces his way through for Villa and Diego Carlos aims a header well off target.

Madueke dangerous again at the other end, seeing a shot deflected wide.

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

21:19 , George Flood

Fernandez, who has this week been forced to deny reports that he is already looking to leave Chelsea, took off his shirt and hoisted it aloft after scoring that excellent free-kick.

He promptly received a yellow card.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea | Enzo Fernandez 54'

21:13 , George Flood

54 mins: WOW - what a free-kick!

After being fouled by Tielemans, Fernandez steps up to whip an absolutely gorgeous effort beyond the despairing dive of compatriot Martinez and into the top corner.

Absolutely superb. Chelsea in dreamland.

Villa will argue that was never a free-kick, with Fernandez going to ground easily as he looked to pull the trigger.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

21:13 , George Flood

53 mins: Madueke and Palmer almost fashion another chance as Chelsea suddenly inject a bit of pace into a sleepy start to this second half.

Chelsea now have a free-kick in a dangerous area around 30 yards out...

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

21:11 , George Flood

50 mins: A sluggish start to the second half from Villa, who were no doubt delivered a rollocking by Emery at the break but haven’t responded so far.

A long way still to go of course, but Chelsea are entirely comfortable at the moment.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

21:06 , George Flood

Back underway at Villa Park.

Petrovic is still in goal for Chelsea, while Emery has resisted the urge to make a substitution just yet.

It surely won’t be long though if his side don’t show a marked improvement here.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

21:04 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella reports that Marcus Bettinelli is doing a full warm-up for Chelsea at the break.

Has Djordje Petrovic picked up a knock?

Got to think that Unai Emery might be tempted into a half-time change too.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

21:00 , George Flood

Certainly not Ben Chilwell’s finest moment...

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:52 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

The first half went perfectly for Chelsea.

They are controlling the tempo of the game, something they've not done to this extent since 2023.

The goals have really given life to an under-pressure group of players, who suddenly look uninhibited by their plight.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:49 , George Flood

Half-time

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:49 , George Flood

47 mins: A warning for Chelsea there following a woeful error from Chilwell with the foul throw and McGinn’s drive is pushed over by Petrovic.

Alex Moreno then can’t find the target and the half-time whistle sounds.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:48 , George Flood

45 mins: Two minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this most comfortable of first halves for Chelsea.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:45 , George Flood

43 mins: So shocking to see this Villa team so out of ideas in attack - they were 4-0 up by this stage at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Chelsea deserve a lot of credit for this first-half display, not giving their hosts a sniff while looking dangerous every time they come forward.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:42 , George Flood

40 mins: Closing in on half-time at Villa Park, where Chelsea are still cruising bar that momentary defensive lapse at a corner.

The away fans are going through their full repertoire, including more chants for Thiago Silva.

Chelsea so impressive both in and out of possession, pressing hard through the midfield.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:39 , George Flood

37 mins: Signs of life at last from Villa as a corner skids dangerously across the box before being scrambled clear by Chelsea.

Gusto breaks and is chopped down by Diego Carlos, who deservedly has his name taken by referee Thomas Bramall.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:37 , George Flood

34 mins: A sensational run from the lively Madueke, who brushes off Douglas Luiz on the touchline before finding Palmer for a curling strike that is palmed away by Martinez.

Diego Carlos concedes another corner and Caicedo gets his finish all wrong.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:36 , George Flood

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:35 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

Noni Madueke has been playing as a No9 for a while with Cole Palmer out on the right.

Mauricio Pochettino is having his forwards switch positions and it is bamboozling Villa.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:32 , George Flood

31 mins: A lovely challenge from Gallagher halts a promising Villa counter-attack in its tracks and ends up in another Chelsea corner.

Chelsea go short this time and Chilwell ends up firing wide of Martinez’s front post.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:31 , George Flood

29 mins: Chelsea are on absolute easy street here at the moment, knocking the ball around nicely with Villa sitting off.

Palmer wins another corner delivered by Chilwell and headed clear at the front post.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:30 , George Flood

Nicolas Jackson’s expert header puts Chelsea 2-0 ahead at Villa Park...

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:29 , George Flood

25 mins: The home fans are starting to vent their frustrations at Villa Park as the usually reliable Kamara botches a simple pass.

The 6,300 travelling supporters, meanwhile, are in fine voice.

This is like night and day from the last couple of performances.

So much better in terms of effort and application.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:26 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

This is remarkable. Chelsea are playing with real swagger since the first goal and go on and make it 2-0.

A wonderful Malo Gusto cross is headed in by Nicolas Jackson.

This is becoming a real quality performance while under real pressure.

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

20:25 , George Flood

23 mins: It should really be 3-0 as Chelsea cut through Villa with ease once again, but Palmer can’t find an accurate cut back and the chance is lost.

Villa need to get a grip here.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson 21'

20:22 , George Flood

21 mins: What is going on?!

This is a completely different Chelsea team so far tonight as Madueke picks out Gusto, who has oceans of space down the right to deliver a pinpoint cross that is guided into the far corner off the head of Jackson.

Villa all over the place at the back.

Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea

20:21 , George Flood

18 mins: Chelsea are looking far stronger in attack so far tonight.

Madueke cushions a volley straight into the path of Martinez, before being picked out on the right in a pacy attack and shooting well wide of the far post.

Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea

20:19 , George Flood

Conor Gallagher’s first goal of the season gives Chelsea a surprise early lead at Villa Park...

Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea

20:17 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

There were chants of "Roman Abramovich" coming from the away end as Chelsea broke and scored through Conor Gallagher.

That's his first goal of the season but completely against the run of play. Chelsea won't care but need to improve to win this.

Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea

20:16 , George Flood

13 mins: This is a really lively game so far as Bailey tries to equalise immediately for Villa, but Petrovic is equal to his low drive.

Petrovic also then pushes over an effort from Watkins.

Good response from the hosts to that early setback, but they are almost caught again on the break pushing too many men forward.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea | Conor Gallagher 11'

20:12 , George Flood

11 mins: Just what Pochettino needed!

It’s great play from Jackson down the Chelsea left, committing defenders before laying inside to Madueke, who tees up Gallagher for a fine side-footed finish into the top corner.

His first goal of the season - and he started the move.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:11 , George Flood

9 mins: Gusto with an excellent covering challenge as Villa look to take control of these opening exchanges once more.

A nice open feel to this FA Cup replay early on.

A reminder that extra time and penalties are possible tonight, with VAR also in use.

Thomas Bramall is the referee.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:09 , George Flood

7 mins: Chelsea force an early corner that is easily headed clear, with Jackson’s returned header then steered into the arms of Martinez by a slightly unsuspecting Fernandez.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:08 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

Let's just say there's no sense of Chelsea keeping it tight early on.

They've faced an early onslaught from Aston Villa playing their usual system.

Leon Bailey unlucky not to score with a header after John McGinn dominated Moises Caicedo in a 50/50 out wide.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:07 , George Flood

6 mins: The first attack of the night from Chelsea, with Madueke cutting inside off the right flank and finding Palmer, who almost picks out Gallagher with a touch inside the box.

That’s what Pochettino wants to see.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:05 , George Flood

3 mins: Here come Villa again as a cross to the back post from Cash is headed straight to a Blue shirt, when an effort on goal was surely the better option.

The offside flag stayed down.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea

20:03 , George Flood

1 min: Nervous moments for Chelsea early on as confident Villa attack straight from kick-off, with the ball almost falling for Tielemans inside the box.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

20:02 , George Flood

KICK-OFF

Underway on a rainy night at Villa Park!

Can Chelsea secure a huge win to ease the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino?

A home tie against Leeds awaits the winners in round five.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

20:00 , George Flood

The teams are out at Villa Park, where the pre-match music is absolutely blaring.

Atmosphere should be good enough without that at this iconic old ground.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

19:55 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park

Chants of "oooooh Thiago Silva" are coming from the away end at Villa Park.

There's no doubt that the 39-year-old and his wife have the support of the hardcore Blues fans.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

19:54 , George Flood

The pre-match thoughts of Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park...

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

19:45 , George Flood

Final preparations at Villa Park.

Kick-off is just 15 minutes away!

Prickly Pochettino explains Thiago Silva omission

19:33 , George Flood

A prickly Mauricio Pochettino was clearly not thrilled with questions from ITV regarding why Thiago Silva has been dropped to the bench tonight.

He insists it’s purely to do with performance and balance, rather than the controversy this week regarding the tweet from Silva’s wife.

Pochettino gets hostile reception at Villa Park

19:30 , George Flood

Not the warmest of greetings for the under-pressure Mauricio Pochettino at Villa Park tonight....

Cash replaces injured Konsa for Aston Villa

19:23 , George Flood

Just the one enforced change from Unai Emery to the Aston Villa team that ran riot against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Ezri Konsa is sidelined with that sprained knee picked up at the weekend that is expected to keep him out for up to a month, with Matty Cash drafted into the defence.

Pau Torres and Nicolo Zaniolo are both back among the substitutes after injury.

Three Chelsea changes from Wolves debacle

19:19 , George Flood

So the under-fire Mauricio Pochettino makes three changes to his Chelsea team after Sunday’s debacle against Wolves.

It’s not a back three from the Argentine as many expected, with Thiago Silva replaced by Benoit Badiashile.

The other two alterations are in attack, where Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku are replaced by Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.

Aston Villa lineup

19:11 , George Flood

Starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Wright, Torres, Chambers, Diaby, Zaniolo, Ramsey, Iroegbunam, Kellyman

Chelsea lineup

19:03 , George Flood

Starting XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Chilwell, Gallagher, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson

Subs: Bergstrom, Bettinelli, Gilchrist, Thiago Silva, Samuels-Smith, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Sterling, Nkunku

Team news coming up

18:54 , George Flood

Here’s Mauricio Pochettino arriving at Villa Park a little earlier, all smiles and flanked by trusted assistant Jesus Perez.

Official lineups are on the way in the next few minutes...

Emery on Konsa injury blow and new Bailey contract

18:40 , George Flood

Unai Emery revealed at his own pre-match press conference on Tuesday that Aston Villa would be without England centre-back Ezri Konsa for around three or four weeks with a sprained knee suffered in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

He joins long-term defensive absentee Tyrone Mings on the sidelines, with Pau Torres likely only fit enough for the bench tonight after an ankle issue.

There was, however, better news in Leon Bailey getting close to agreeing a new contract at Villa Park.

“We spoke to him, he is happy here, happy in Birmingham and at Aston Villa," Emery said of the Jamaican international forward.

"He is working progressively better. The idea is for him to extend the contract and we are close. I think he is going to sign.

"The adaptation for some players is longer, then we need to understand the adaptation, how each player can do it differently.

"Leon, he came from Germany and the first year he didn't play consistently and he had some injuries. When I arrived here I tried to set him as a second striker and for him to take the best characteristics.

"He was still in the adaptation when I arrived here and the adaptation is everything. More or less, at the end, we can watch him on the pitch and this year he didn't start really being strong even and last year he was not consistent always.

"For example, the last two matches we played last season, key matches, he wasn't in the starting XI.

"I spoke with him this year when we started pre-season about how we could improve different issues and things he wasn't showing us in a consistent way. His reaction was fantastic."

Chelsea backed by more than 6,000 fans at Villa Park

18:26 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella reports that there will be some 6,300 Chelsea supporters making the trip to Villa Park tonight.

They will be demanding an improvement on the last two dreadful displays and no doubt not be afraid to voice further frustrations if their team are brushed aside meekly once more.

Pochettino and Chelsea were booed off at both half-time and full-time on Sunday, while fed-up fans also sang the names of former owner Roman Abramovich and beloved ex-manager Jose Mourinho.

The Argentine also once again faced mocking chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ after Chelsea blew an early 1-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home.

I’m sure the Villa fans will follow suit if their team come out on top this evening.

Thiago Silva's wife says sorry for Pochettino outburst

18:14 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino’s case this week has certainly not been helped by a tweet sent from the wife of Thiago Silva, Belle, straight after the galling Wolves loss in which she appeared to call for a change of manager at Chelsea.

"It's time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late,” she posted.

She has since apologised for the comments, writing on X earlier today: “I'm sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact.

“I'm passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I'm saddened by defeats.

"We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea."

Addressing that situation at his pre-match press conference, Pochettino said Thiago Silva had sought him out to make amends and that their relationship remained strong.

"He came today to talk with me. The important thing is he came and wanted to talk with me," he said.

"We are very strong in the way we want to operate. We talked and I don't want to divulge, it was private. It [my relationship with Silva] is very good."

Pochettino calls for Chelsea unity after 'very good text' from owners

18:03 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino’s job is not currently thought to be in immediate danger, but that was also said about Graham Potter before his dismissal last season.

It’s clear that the ex-Tottenham boss needs to find answers to the Blues’ latest malaise and fast, with fans quickly running out of patience and venting their frustrations during a toxic afternoon at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

For his part, Pochettino insists that the owners remain supportive of his project as he called for fans to show trust and patience.

"I think we are all together in this and that's important," Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I received a very good text from [the owners]. Of course I am in contact with them and the sporting director every day.”

He added: “The fans need to trust in us. We need to provide the calm for the players to feel free to play.

"We need to create a good connection with the fans. The fans need to understand when they go to Stamford Bridge it's a different Chelsea, a different project, a different everything.

“It's the responsibility of the players and the staff to create a connection, something in between they appreciate.

"The fans need from us to see that we really care about the club. I promise you and the fans that the players want to perform and win games.

"The players suffer when they are not performing. They are desperate to receive the love from the fans but at the same time they understand the situation.

“If you are not performing it's normal the fans should criticise us. We need to be together."

Aston Villa vs Chelsea prediction

17:51 , George Flood

It would be a major shock to see Chelsea recover so much that they can topple a team as strong as Villa in their own backyard.

Aston Villa to win, 2-1.

Chelsea team news

17:48 , George Flood

Chelsea’s attempts to escape this latest rut are being hampered by an absentee list that remains long, as it has all season.

All of captain Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Lesley Ugochukwu and Wesley Fofana remain sidelined, while Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah are not expected to be involved tonight.

Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to shift to a three-man defence at Villa Park in an attempt to arrest the recent slide.

Aston Villa team news

17:42 , George Flood

Aston Villa will have Pau Torres back in the matchday squad tonight following the Spanish centre-back’s recovery from an ankle injury.

The likes of Emi Buendia, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Jhon Duran remain sidelined, while the game will come just a bit too soon for Lucas Digne.

However, Nicolo Zaniolo is fit to feature after a knock.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea

17:37 , George Flood

TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1. Coverage starts at 7:30pm.

Live stream: ITVX will offer a free live stream service online via their website and app.

Welcome to Aston Villa vs Chelsea live coverage

17:33 , George Flood

Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Chelsea.

The stakes are high in tonight’s FA Cup fourth-round replay, with Mauricio Pochettino no doubt desperate for a win to relieve some of the mounting pressure on his position after back-to-back drubbings by Liverpool and Wolves that have pushed the Blues back into crisis mode.

But there are fewer tougher places to go looking for a pressure-relieving win at the moment than Villa Park, with Unai Emery’s side still soaring high in the Premier League top four and part of the title race having thrashed Sheffield United at the weekend in another reminder of their attacking prowess.

Kick-off tonight is at 8pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest team news and live updates, plus expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella at Villa Park.