Chelsea vs Aston Villa (0-0)

The recent FA Cup match between Chelsea and Aston Villa ended in a goalless draw, leaving fans disappointed with the lack of excitement on the field. However, this result should not overshadow the importance of this game and the potential it holds for both teams.

Firstly, a goalless draw does not necessarily mean that the match was uneventful or lacking in quality. It could be argued that both teams displayed exceptional defensive skills and tactical awareness throughout the game. The fact that neither team managed to score highlights their ability to nullify each other's attacking threats.

Conor Gallagher captains Chelsea, while 20-year-old Alfie Gilchrist starts after Levi Colwill picked up an injury in the warm-up and pulled out of the squad, with Max Merrick promoted to the bench. Villa make two changes from the draw with Everton as Matty Cash and Youri Tielemans come in for Leon Bailey and Diego Carlos.

Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Gilchrist, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling, Palmer. Subs: Williams, Mudryk, Chukwuemeka, Broja, Chilwell, Deivid Washington, Merrick, Bergstrom, Castledine.

Chelsea come into the clash on a huge high, having thrashed Boro 6-1 on Tuesday to secure a 6-2 aggregate triumph in their EFL Cup semi-final, emphatically responding to their worrying 1-0 away loss in the first leg.

Two goals from in-form Cole Palmer, bouncing back from a nightmare in front of goal at the Riverside, were supplemented by strikes from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke, after the Blues were put on the path to victory by a Jonny Howson own goal.

That semi-final progress has been coupled with some improved Chelsea form. They have won seven of their last nine matches (including the EFL Cup win over Newcastle on penalties) and moved back within striking distance of the top six in the Premier League table.

"Today we performed incredibly well. Everything (pleased me), from minute one to the 95th minute. We are trying to defend the title and coming here is difficult.

"We create a lot in every game and have courage with or without the ball so I’m really pleased."

On match-winner Nathan Ake: "He has incredible tempo in our set pieces and attack, and it's one of his best skills."

"I think the performance was good we just weren't clinical enough," Pochettino admitted to BBC Sport.

"I think we dominated more of the beginning. Then in the second half, after 70 minutes, we start to drop our energy because we played three days ago, and of course that is a massive difference."

Attention now turns to the Premier League, with Aston Villa hosting Newcastle on Tuesday, and Chelsea at Liverpool on Wednesday (both 20:15 GMT).

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 Sarah H

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