Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was left disappointed after a ‘fantastic’ performance from Emiliano Martinez as the Premier League giants failed to defeat Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.
The famine followed the feast of Middlesbrough’s 6-1 midweek thumping.
Chelsea, after creating and squandering chance after chance, were unable to break down an Aston Villa side that happened to boast a World Cup-winning goalkeeper in Emiliano Martinez between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke were among those denied by a shot-stopper who used every inch of his 6ft 4 frame in West London, forcing a rematch between the two top-flight rivals.
Chelsea and Aston Villa draw in the FA Cup fourth round.
“These games are even, and facing a side like Aston Villa is always challenging. Of course, we didn’t score, but we created opportunities,” Pochettino told Football London at the end.
“I definitely trust and believe in my guys. “We will score if we continue to play this way.”
Usually, anyway.
“We came from Tuesday, when we scored six,” the former Tottenham manager continues. “I think the keeper is fantastic, Emiliano. He was incredibly good. Yes, sometimes you need a little luck to score
Aston Villa, it should be noted, generated several chances of their own. Unai Emery’s team made 13 attempts on goal, compared to Chelsea’s ten, with the midfield quartet of Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Douglas Luiz as good as ever.
Emery, on the other hand, was as eager to pay tribute to a player who, at £20 million, could be one of Villa’s best pound-for-pound signings in recent memory.
Emi Martinez excels again.
“Clean sheets are always important and our goalkeeper Emiliano was fantastic,” Emery goes on to say. “We defended pretty well. They expected us to settle for less than we desired.
“We performed a terrific job and were gradually improving. We adjusted the game slightly and took control of the match.
“This draw is fair for both teams and we’re going to decide the match in the replay.”
