Mauricio Pochettino told how to ‘save’ Chelsea’s season ahead of Aston Villa clash

Pundit Chris Sutton has told Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino that success in the cup competitions can ‘save’ the club’s season after a disappointing league campaign so far.

Just days after reaching the Carabao Cup final,thanks to a 6-2 aggregate win over Middlesbrough, Chelsea return to cup action this weekend. The Blues take on high-flying Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.

Unai Emery’s side have enjoyed a successful Premier League season so far and sit in fourth place as they aim to play Champions League football in 2024/25. Villa are 12 points ahead of Chelsea in ninth place in the table.

There is still hope that Pochettino’s men can challenge for the European places, and maybe even the Champions League positions. But Sutton has told the club to put their full concentration on the cup competitions.

“The cups offer a way for Chelsea to save their season, and they are already in the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Middlesbrough,” he told BBC Sport. “Mauricio Pochettino's side have been getting better, it's just not the momentous rise we expected.

“Chelsea can't afford not to go full pelt at this game but Aston Villa might be thinking about the top four, and Tuesday's game with Newcastle. I'd love to see Villa give it a real go in the FA Cup as well, because they have been excellent this season, but I don't know how Unai Emery will approach it.

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“All of this is making me think that Chelsea will edge it, but I have been wrong about them plenty of times this season already.”

Chris