Mauricio Pochettino calls for 'calm' after Chelsea's impressive FA Cup win - 'One of the best performances'

Mauricio Pochettino hailed his Chelsea players for putting in "one of the best performances of the season" as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

The Blues boss was under huge pressure heading into the fixture after three games without a victory.

That run included back-to-back Premier League losses to Liverpool and Wolves, leaving the side in 11th place in the top flight.

However, they put in a much improved performance at Villa Park to set up a fifth-round clash against Championship outfit Leeds United.

"It was one of the best performances of the season," he told BBC Sport. "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."

Conor Gallagher set the ball rolling for Chelsea, opening the scoring after just 11 minutes.

Nicolas Jackson then added a second goal shortly afterwards, while Enzo Fernandez put the tie to bed after half-time with a stunning free-kick.

Moussa Diaby did pull one back for Unai Emery's side in injury time, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

The result should ease some of the tension at Stamford Bridge, especially as some fans booed Pochettino when he got off the team bus at Villa Park.

Speaking to ITV, he said the supporters need to be patient as he tries to implement his philosophy on the squad, having only taken the reins last summer.

"We need to be calm," Pochettino explained. "Now it’s about how we are going to keep these feelings and the mentality to approach in every single game.

"It’s true that the circumstances didn’t help us from the beginning, with too many injuries and then to have the players in the same form, at the same level, was the most difficult thing for us.

"I think it’s the second best team at home, Aston Villa, they’re having a fantastic season. [But] It’s not the result. It’s in the way that we play and showing our quality and to show this type of performance. That’s what pleases me the most.

"That’s why for me, I’m so optimistic. People, I know, there is no patience at a club like Chelsea. They don’t listen. They don’t want to hear the circumstance or the excuses.

"The reality is another. We are not any more the Chelsea. This is a new project. This thing can happen. The people need to believe.

"If they believe, then fantastic. If not, you know always what will happen. The most easy decision will appear!"

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