Chilwell says recent Blues fuelled Chelsea in victory at Villa

Ben Chilwell said Chelsea used recent criticism as fuel to inspire their impressive FA Cup win at Aston Villa.

The Blues triumphed 3-1 in a fourth round replay at Villa Park as they bounced back from successive heavy defeats in the Premier League to Liverpool and Wolves.

First-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson were topped off by a sensational Enzo Fernandez free-kick after the break.

Moussa Diaby pulled one back for the disappointing hosts but it was not enough to stop Mauricio Pochettino's men setting up a fifth-round tie with Leeds.

England international Chilwell, 27, told ITV Sport: "It was exactly the reaction we wanted and needed. It wasn't about just wanting a reaction, we needed it. 

"We wanted that pressure. We thrived off it. The confidence before the game in the changing room was the best I have seen it — the togetherness [we showed].

"Fair play to all of the boys. We delivered on the pitch today."

The victory against Unai Emery's side eases the pressure on Pochettino, who was feeling the heat after a disastrous seven days.

Chilwell added: "As a club, the players, manager, the staff, the fans everyone involved in the club [needed a result]. It wasn't just the manager. 

"Everyone associated with Chelsea needed that today. 

"We knew we needed to deliver today to get into the next round and we did."

Pochettino, 51, felt the dominant display in the West Midlands was the best since he arrived at the club last summer.

The Argentine said: "It was one of the best, maybe the best performance of the season — arriving at a very good time for us!"

Poch also challenged supporters to show patience with his young side. 

He added: "In a club like Chelsea you need to win. They don't want to hear excuses.

"But we are not the Chelsea of another time. It is a new project. The people need to believe. 

"If they believe, fantastic."