Fernandez, Caicedo: Roy Keane Praises Chelsea Stars After FA Cup Victory Over Aston Villa

• Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3-1 away at Villa Park in the FA Cup
• The Blues put up one of the best performances of the season
• Manchester United legend Roy Keane has praised two players

Manchester United legend Roy Keane is hardly impressed but has singled out two Chelsea stars for praise after the 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup replay.

The Blues travelled to Villa Park and displayed a dominant performance for a replay of the fourth round after the first match ended in a stalemate at Stamford Bridge.

Captain, Conor Gallagher, and returning striker Nicolas Jackson, scored within the first 20 minutes to put the team ahead and went into half-time with a two-goal caution.

Enzo Fernandez, who has endured harsh criticisms from the fans, made it three with a brilliant freekick that left Argentina national teammate Emiliano Martinez with no chance.

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Keane praises Fernandez and Caicedo

English pundit Keane was on the mic for the game and was surprisingly impressed by the performances of the two £100 million midfielders.

“Absolutely outstanding. The two of them dominated that midfield. Aston Villa were very poor, but they looked strong, they looked aggressive, their passing was short, and their decision-making was excellent. They were strong and physical as well. Outstanding,” he said via Sportskeeda.

The 52-year-old was also moved by Fernandez’s freekick, which he scored beautifully and not many fans expected it.

“The strike is just quality. You have to put it in the top corner. He's facing his team-mate, who is a brilliant goalkeeper. What a free kick. Pace, whip. As soon as it left his foot, you thought it had a great chance. Beautiful,” he added.

The Argentine was linked with a move away a year after joining the London outfit, but his agent, Uriel Perez, denied it in an interview with Diario AS.

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The player reactivated his X account and sent a message to the fans after giving a telling gesture to celebrate his goal, affirming his commitment to the team.

Chelsea aim dig at Arsenal and Tottenham

Sports Brief reported on Chelsea aiming a dig at Arsenal and Tottenham after reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 replay win over Aston Villa.

The Blues are the only London club left in the competition, a surprising stat with all other clubs in the city at all levels of English football already eliminated.