Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

Aston Villa bowed out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in their fourth-round replay at Villa Park.

The Villans, who were bidding to reach the fifth round for the first time since 2014/15, fell behind to Conor Gallagher’s 11^th-minute strike before Nicolas Jackson headed a quick second for the visitors.

Villa searched for a route back into the tie, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn all testing Djordje Petrovic.

But Enzo Fernandez’s 30-yard free-kick early in the second half added a third for a Chelsea side who have reached the final of the competition five times in the last seven years.

Substitute Moussa Diaby grabbed an injury-time consolation but it was only a third defeat in 18 matches in all competitions for Unai Emery’s Villa, who will now turn full focus to Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester United.

The two sides were doing battle again following a goalless draw in the first meeting 12 days ago at Stamford Bridge.

Matty Cash returned in place of the injured Ezri Konsa as boss Emery made one change to his starting XI from Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Both sides enjoyed half-chances during an open start to proceedings before Gallagher side-footed Noni Madueke’s lay-off into the top corner.

Villa responded positively and both Bailey and Watkins immediately tested Chelsea ‘keeper Petrovic.

But the visitors doubled their lead midway through the first half as Jackson nodded in Malo Gusto’s cross from eight yards.

Emi Martínez parried from Cole Palmer while Villa searched for a lifeline at the other end, skipper McGinn drawing a fingertip save from Petrovic.

Yet it was Mauricio Pochettino’s side, Carabao Cup finalists, who held the advantage at the break.

And the London outfit added a third nine minutes after the restart as Fernandez curled a long-range free-kick into the top corner, leaving Martínez with no chance.

Diaby and Jacob Ramsey were introduced off the bench with just under 20 minutes remaining.

And Diaby immediately fired off target when well placed before Álex Moreno headed on to the roof of the net as the home side continued to search for reward.

Diaby and Ramsey combined for the Frenchman to convert an injury-time consolation off the inside of a post, before fellow sub Tim Iroegbunam saw his header saved by Petrovic.

But Villa, unbeaten in their previous three meetings with Chelsea, exited the cup competition.