Aston Villa

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Ian: No energy, no movement and no ideas. A really poor performance. Man at the back walking with the ball. Chelsea just dominated midfield with no Villa player close to them. Totally unacceptable!

Andrew: Villa were just too static and too far from the ball when not in possession. We have the talent but the desire has to be questioned on this performance. We are becoming consistently inconsistent.

Chris: Very poor display. Two wayward passes from midfield gifted two goals. No movement off the ball and lack of confidence on the ball. Our set pieces didn’t work and the opposition now read these with ease. Opportunity missed. Can only hope our form returns for the match on Sunday.

Villa fans - have your say on the match here

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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The UEFA Congress is about to start in Paris.

One of the most significant proposals is to change the statutes that would effectively allow current president Aleksander Ceferin to discount a partial three-year term in office that would allow him to stand again for election once his present stint ends in 2027.

UEFA executive committee member David Gill spoke out against this believing it went against the promises Ceferin made when he replaced Michel Platini. Today FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is expected to vote against.

UEFA have 'bundled' a number of changes into the same vote, some of these involve greater female representation, to limit widespread opposition. That does not mean everyone else agrees.

Thomas Frank was asked about everyone's favourite technology - VAR - at his news conference and it's likely to be a talking point for a few, if not all, of the Premier League managers we hear from today.

Tony Scholes, chief football officer at the Premier League, feels VAR is largely positive addition to the top-flight, but admits decisions are taking too long and acknowledges "clearly everything in the world of VAR is not perfect".

The in-stadium VAR experience for supporters "is poor", says Scholes

We've had VAR involved in the Premier League since 2019-20 and, love it or loathe it, the technology isn't going to be disappearing any time soon, so let us know about your matchday experiences.

What could be done to improve the understanding for supporters in stadiums?

Let us know your thoughts via all the usual channels; it's #bbcfootball on X, formerly known as Twitter, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

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Manchester United are better placed than Arsenal to strike a deal for Brentford's England striker Ivan Toney, who the Bees value at £80m. (Teamtalk), external

Toney marked his return from an eight-month ban for breaking gambling rules by scoring with his first shot as Brentford registered a controversial victory in a five-goal thriller with Nottingham Forest on 20 January.

The 27-year-old has scored two goals in his last three appearances.

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Brentford have condemned the "vile harassment" of Ivan Toney after the England striker was again "subjected to racist abuse" on Instagram.

The Bees said they were "angered and frustrated" by the abuse directed at the 27-year-old.

In March 2023, a man was banned from every football ground in the United Kingdom for three years after racially abusing Toney on social media.

Brentford also called the response of social media companies "underwhelming".

Toney previously received racist and abusive messages to his Instagram account after scoring the equaliser against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in February 2023.

"We are angered and frustrated to report that Ivan Toney has been subjected to racist abuse on Instagram once more," said a Brentford statement.

"We have initiated investigations into this vile harassment which we condemn in the strongest terms.

Read more here.

Brentford

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on VAR and claims that it is taking too long for decisions to be made: "I read something about compared to last year it is better, less mistakes, I think that's what I read in an article. That's a plus.

"No matter what system we use there will be mistakes because we are working with humans and I'm glad we are working with humans.

"The time thing is a fair point, we would like a better flow but if it's a choice between the right decision and time then I always want the right decision."

Brentford

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on form, having won just one of their last 10 across all competitions, as they prepare to face Wolves: "I like to win football matches, I'm very aware that the stats on paper are not great.

"We look into our performances and especially the last three have been very positive. We beat Nottingham [Forest] and lost to two of the best teams in the world; Tottenham and Manchester. We did a lot of things right and we need to look into that but we also need to look into what we can do better.

"Defending has been a big focus since I took over five years ago and we were a free floating Championship side.

"We are conceding too many goals in my opinion. We need to look into what we can do to avoiding conceding goals. We are going in the right direction."

Brentford

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on Josh Dasilva's serious knee injury and other team news for Saturday's trip to Wolves: "[It happened] in training. It was an unlucky action, unfortunately.

"It's very sad, I feel for Josh [Dasilva] massively. He has been very unlucky.

"He's a player I've been working with for a long time so normally over time relationships grow and he's a lovely person so that was tough to take.

"The other players that were out are still out."

On whether Saman Ghoddos could feature after Iran were knocked out of the Asian Cup in the semi-finals: "With Saman, it's good a bad.

"We're glad he's back and available for us but we would have loved him to have gone to the final [of the Asian Cup] and win.

"He is coming back today but he should be available for Saturday."

Brentford

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on his comments in the Danish media about Ivan Toney's future: "You always have to be aware of translation. Google translate is not always the best.

"It's the same message I said the whole time. I would love him to stay forever, but the reality is he has one year left on his contract in the summer.

"I think he's been pretty open about maybe playing for a top club in the future, so I think there are a couple of scenarios; he leaves in the summer, leaves in the winter or he stays.

"If he leaves whenever it will be fantastic to see him playing for a top club."

Hello, who's this? Only Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Don't be startled. Your pre-match news conference before the Bees' trip to Wolves on Saturday is coming up right now...

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Bristol City

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Bristol City are back in Championship mode this weekend with an away fixture at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The prize of a fifth round tie against Erik ten Hag's Manchester United's was just out of reach for the the Robins, but defender Rob Dickie was still upbeat despite the FA Cup defeat.

"Really disappointing not to come away with anything and for the fans as well." Dickie told the club's website. , external

“We work so hard to get good chances and we need to reward our self more and really finish teams off.

"There are positive things in the performance, and if we perform like that in the championship, we will definitely improve our points return.

"We should be confident in ourselves."

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Nottingham Forest last won the FA Cup in 1958-59 and they are one step closer to lifting the famous trophy again after last night's penalty shootout heroics.

They required a replay against Blackpool to get through the third round, beating the Seasiders in extra time of the second meeting, and are yet to win a match in 90 minutes since the turn of the year.

Despite being taken the distance by Championship side Bristol City on Wednesday, boss Nuno Espirito Santo was pleased to keep their run in the competition moving along.

Nuno said: "We are so happy. It was tough, but it was worth it. We had players struggling and then [it went to] extra time. Let's assess them now and see how they are.

"With players that have been out for so long it is tough, but it was the best possible way to manage the situation we are in now [with] trying to protect players that are returning. We have to measure the minutes they are on the pitch.

"The response was good. It was tough, but the attitude and the character to never give up makes me very, very happy. This is the FA Cup, it is so special and that is why we are so happy and proud to keep continuing and fighting for something that is so huge for us, to fight for a trophy. With the history of the club, we have to keep on fighting and try to deliver."

On a home game against Manchester United in the fifth round: "It is going to be fantastic and huge for us but before that we have a lot of things to prepare. We have a tough one on Saturday [against Newcastle]."

Forest fans, enjoy.

Bristol City fans, soz.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

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Nottingham Forest edged past Championship Bristol City in a penalty shootout to set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie with Manchester United.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored the winning spot-kick for the hosts, with Sam Bell having seen home goalkeeper Matt Turner save his effort.

Divock Origi's close-range effort had put Forest in front only for Jason Knight to level six minutes later.

And the sides could then not be separated until the dramatic finale.

It was far from a dull stalemate, with both teams spurning a succession of good opportunities to win the encounter before and during extra time.

Read the full report here.

Hands up if you love a penalty shootout to settle an FA Cup tie?

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Pick yourselves up, Villa. You're still sitting in that coveted top four spot in the Premier League.

Where is Unai Emery taking his side next? Well, nowhere this weekend, as Villa are at home again. Manchester United are the visitors this time for the late Sunday game.

Next Saturday it's a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham followed by Nottingham Forest heading to Villa Park on 24 February.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Villa Park

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Chelsea's fans mirrored the mood of dysfunction and crisis hanging over the club by opening this dramatic FA Cup night at Villa Park with a loud lament for lost owner Roman Abramovich.

It did not last long, cut off in full cry as Conor Gallagher's crisp finish at The Holte End instantly brought songs of a different kind, setting the tone for Chelsea's finest moment of this mess of a season under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea's form has been so dismal that any talk of victory in this fourth-round replay at Aston Villa was placed into the bracket of an FA Cup shock - not exactly Maidstone United winning at Ipswich Town level, but a shock nonetheless.

How wrong we all were. The sound of a script being torn up could be heard at Villa Park inside 20 minutes, so unexpected was this Chelsea performance and outcome.

Chelsea's desperate plight when they arrived here made this outstanding 3-1 win, fully deserved after a superb team display, so much sweeter in a stadium where Villa have won 13 games and lost only two in all competitions this season.

Read the full story here

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Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League is an away trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday, followed by the small matter of facing Manchester City at the Etihad on 17 February.

Then it's the biggie. Chelsea v Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, 25 February at 15:00 GMT.

Who will lift the trophy? Left thumb for Chelsea, right thumb for Liverpool.

Chelsea

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The headlines and live page entires could have looked a lot different today had Chelsea fallen to defeat at Villa Park in the FA Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino has been looking over his shoulder following a season of disappointing results but Wednesday's win over Aston Villa provided some much-needed relief for the Argentine manager.

"It was one of the best performances of the season," Pochettino told Match of the Day.

I think the players really enjoyed the game and yes, I think we played well against a very difficult team. Aston Villa are doing a terrific job - they are in a position in the top four and they are, I think, the second-best team playing at home.

"Too many things happen when you lose a game. I am older than them and I think I take these things in a different way. But we are Chelsea, we need to accept that Chelsea provoke these things. The expectation is massive. Sometimes the expectation is not easy because we are still a young team. But we are growing in a really good way.

"To be in the final of the Carabao Cup and now in the next round of the FA Cup, I think playing this way we can win more games than we lose."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Villa Park

Hopes were high inside a noisy Villa Park at kick-off as manager Unai Emery took the acclaim walking to his technical area.

Villa, with that record of 13 wins and only two losses at home in all competitions, started in confident mood but were stunned as Chelsea found their stride and hit them with two quick goals.

It left the hosts chasing the game but their cause was not helped as they were second to so many balls, gave possession away too often and were strictly second best to a side that looked fitter and stronger.

This will be a bitter disappointment to Villa and manager Emery, who will have harboured ambitions of progress in the FA Cup after a goalless draw in the first game at Stamford Bridge.

His team will need to shrug off this result quickly as their season still has so much to offer as they aim for the top four and to make an impact in the Europa Conference League, an area which is the vastly experienced Emery's speciality.