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Scoreless at Stamford Bridge
A tense battle at Stamford Bridge saw neither Aston Villa nor Chelsea able to break the deadlock in their FA Cup fourth round clash, setting the stage for a high-stakes replay in the Midlands. With both teams locked in a goalless draw, Chelsea now face the additional challenge of an away game amidst a series of less than stellar performances.
Pochettino’s Perilous Position
Following the stalemate with Villa, Chelsea’s recent form has been a cause for concern, with heavy defeats to Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers casting doubt over manager Mauricio Pochettino’s future at the club. The Blues’ defence has been particularly porous, conceding eight goals across these two matches.
Villa’s Rollercoaster Ride
While Aston Villa lost their unbeaten home Premier League record to Newcastle United, they bounced back emphatically with a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United. Having already edged out Chelsea earlier in the season with a narrow win, Villa’s confidence will be high ahead of the rematch.
Where to Watch the Replay
UK audiences can catch the action live on ITV1, ITVX, STV Scotland, STV Player, and UTV, while international viewers can tune in via ESPN+ in the United States and various Sportsnet channels in Canada.
Injury Woes for Both Sides
Ahead of the replay, both teams are grappling with injury concerns. Villa’s Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings are out for the long term, and Chelsea are missing key players including Reece James and Wesley Fofana, leaving both sides to make adjustments to their starting lineups.
Predicted Lineups
Villa are likely to field a 4-4-2 formation featuring Martinez; Cash, Lenglet, Carlos, Moreno; Bailey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins. Chelsea’s predicted 4-2-3-1 lineup includes Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Nkunku, Sterling; Jackson, with Pochettino hoping to stabilize the team’s shaky defence.
High Stakes for the Midweek Clash
As both teams prepare to field strong lineups for the midweek replay, Aston Villa’s solid home record and Chelsea’s recent form suggest a tough contest for the Blues. Villa striker Ollie Watkins, back in scoring form, could be the key to unlocking Chelsea’s defence and securing Villa’s place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
