Chelsea have dampened manager Mauricio Pochettino’s focus on progressing into the FA Cup fifth round when Nottingham Forest take on Manchester United on Wednesday.
Conor Gallagher, Nicholas Jackson and Enzo Fernandes brought down Blues memories during Sunday’s 4-2 defeat by Wolves at Villa Park.
After losing 4-1 to Liverpool a week ago, Chelsea were left rocked by disgruntled home fans following their defeat at Wolves this weekend.
With manager Pochettino’s side 11th in the Premier League, an early FA Cup exit would have added to the pressure on Pochettino.
Pochettino said on Tuesday he had been rewarded for not letting the stress of the job get him down and making bold decisions in team selection.
Thiago Silva has walked out hours after his wife apologized for her social media outburst calling for “change” at the club.
Raheem Sterling was left out on a night that also included some of Chelsea’s prized young players.
“I think this was one of the best or the best games of the season,” Pochettino said. “It comes at a very good time for us.
“We have a young team. “Staying solid and consistent is the hardest thing with a young team.”
He was one of the club’s academy graduates when Gallagher fired home from close range for his first goal of the season.
Jackson missed a couple of good chances early in his Chelsea career but doubled his lead with a header from Marlowe Gusteau.
Villa were unbeaten in 17 Premier League home games for the year before Newcastle lost at Villa Park a week ago.
But Unai Emery’s men have underperformed in both domestic cup competitions this season.
Fernandes scored a stunning free kick to make it 3-0.
Rumors have been rife in recent days that the Argentine World Cup winner will leave Benfica more than a year after his record move from England.
But Fernandes tipped international team-mate Amy Martinez to stay put even after going into the top corner.
When Chelsea face Liverpool in the League Cup final on February 25,
Pochettino has the chance to end a difficult first season in English football with a first win.
We are confident of progressing to the quarter finals of the FA Cup when we face Leeds in the second division in the 5th round.
Villa added a consolation goal when Moussa Diaby crossed, but it was too late for the home side.
Forest qualified to play United in the last 16 but needed a penalty to knock Bristol City out of the Championship.
Divock Origi gave Forest an early lead but Jason Knight quickly equalized for the visitors.
City were forced to miss numerous chances to win until extra-time, and Sam Bell paid the price there, being the only player not to score in the penalty shoot-out.
