Chelsea held by Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge

London, 

Friday, 26 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Chelsea and Aston Villa will head to an FA Cup fourth round replay at Villa Park after a goalless clash in Stamford Bridge on Friday. 

Chelsea came into the match heads up after commanding a 6-1 victory over midlesbrough earning a ticket into the League cup Final against Liverpool in February. 

However, Chelsea were caught to an early surprise after Douglas Luiz deflected Moussa Diaby’s effort into the net just after the 10-minute mark, but a keenly-spotted handball as it ricocheted off the Brazilian was enough to see it ruled out by VAR.

In form Cole Palmer announced his presence on the pitch as he forced Emiliano Martinez into a brilliant save following a loose pass from Clément Lenglet.

Chelsea's fans were caught into disbelief as Noni Madueke was unable to tap into an almost-open net after Palmer slid it across the face of goal. 

Villa tried to penetrant into a weary Blues into the final 20 minutes, calling Đorđe Petrović into action through Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash, before Ezri Konsa flashed wide with regulation time running out.

Chelsea were able to control the pressure as both teams settled for a replay in Villa park after an interesting draw.