Unai Emery reveals plan to replace Leander Dendoncker and drops Aston Villa transfer hint.

After a scoreless draw at Stamford Bridge, Aston Villa will host Chelsea in an FA Cup fourth round rematch at Villa Park.

Douglas Luiz put the ball in the net in the 12th minute, giving Unai Emery’s team the impression that they had taken the lead, but VAR disallowed the goal because the Brazilian had handled the ball prior to scoring. Despite this, Emi Martinez made several vital saves to keep the hosts from scoring before halftime, so Villa were lucky to remain tied.

Shortly after Villa’s goal was disallowed by VAR, Martinez stopped Noni Madueke from scoring when he was within the box. The Argentina captain then came to Clement Lenglet’s aid after Cole Palmer had intercepted the center-back’s pass, but Martinez had again stopped a goal with his legs.

 

Villa had just 32% of the ball at the half’s conclusion, their lowest percentage of the game thus far this season. Since neither team desired a replay, the game resumed after the interval.

With 20 minutes remaining, Palmer was given another chance to break the deadlock as Villa struggled to provide any clear openings on goal. The former Man City player blocked Martinez’s clearing, choosing to volley the ball rather than bring it down inside the area, but Martinez was relieved that he could not make a solid connection.

The closest Villa player to scoring came from a left-footed skip inside that called a save from Dorde Petrovic in the second half. The Chelsea goalie succeeded in deflecting the ball past the post.

Villa’s matchup with Chelsea is scheduled for the week starting on Monday, February 5.