Mauricio Pochettino: 'Chelsea players must strive for consistency after beating Aston Villa'

The Blues went into the fourth-round replay in the West Midlands on the back of consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers, losing 4-1 and 4-2 respectively.

Having conceded eight goals in quick succession, the expectation was that Villa would add to Chelsea's and Pochettino's troubles, but the visitors produced one of their best performances of the season at Villa Park.

Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson added the finishing touches to two excellent Chelsea moves in the first half before Enzo Fernandez scored a magnificent free kick soon after the interval.

Although Villa netted a late consolation through Moussa Diaby, it took nothing away from what felt like a statement display from Chelsea, who have set up a last-16 showdown with Leeds United.

Prior to this contest, Pochettino's future was up for debate, as was the quality and togetherness of his players, but the Argentine feels that finding consistency is going to be Chelsea's biggest challenge in the short term.

Speaking to Match of the Day, Pochettino said: "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.

"Too many things happen when you lose a game. I am older than them and I think I take these things in a different way. But we are Chelsea, we need to accept that Chelsea provoke these things. 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.

"We try to find the best words and best way to help the players. We are a group of people working for the same objective. The players are the principle actors on the pitch. We need to provide the best platform for them to perform in a freedom way.

"With a young team it is a challenge to be consistent. We have a few days to recover and think a little bit. That is the way to keep going and fighting. I am so happy for the players. They believe in us and the connection has been good all season, even when the result is not right they are still convinced we can do things."

Chelsea have now won six of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions ahead of squaring off against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Monday night.