In a hard-fought FA Cup fourth-round clash, Chelsea and Aston Villa battled to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, setting the stage for a replay.
While Douglas Luiz had a disallowed goal due to handball, Chelsea squandered numerous opportunities that could have secured a win.
Villa’s goalkeeper, Emi Martinez, showcased his brilliance with crucial saves, denying Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer in the first half, and later thwarting Palmer again after a defensive lapse.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance and numerous chances, Martinez’s exceptional performance kept Villa in contention.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino lauded Martinez as “amazing,” acknowledging his pivotal role in the match.
Villa’s head coach, Unai Emery, acknowledged Martinez’s crucial saves, emphasizing the team’s confidence in their goalkeeper.
Both teams displayed defensive resilience, with Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic making notable saves to deny Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash.