Jamie Carragher says Chelsea win vs Aston Villa was 'a setback for English football', it hasn't gone down well

Jamie Carragher has said that Chelsea's FA Cup fourth round win over Aston Villa on Wednesday was 'a setback for English football'.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino headed into the clash at Villa Park under significant pressure, with Chelsea placed in 11th in the Premier League table and having lost 4-2 to Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

But they defied the critics with a clinical performance to win 3-1 against Unai Emery's side, with Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez all getting on the scoresheet.

The defeat for Villa was a surprise one, given their strong Premier League performances this season and the fact that they sit fourth in the table - just five points behind leaders Liverpool.

The Midlands side haven't won a domestic trophy since lifting the League Cup in 1996, and many believed they would be one of the contenders to end that drought this year.

But that won't be happening in the FA Cup, with Carragher expressing his disappointment in his newest column for The Telegraph.

He explained: "Villa and Spurs have both won the League Cup twice since 1993. That represents rank underperformance. It is not as though they have been beaten by the cup winners or finalists every season.

"That is why Spurs fans were so upset by the team selection in this year's League Cup, and why Villa's defeats in both cup competitions this season as a huge disappointment.

"By every measure, Villa are better than Chelsea this season. They were strong favourites going into Wednesday's game.

"Realistically, how often is that going to be the case in future years? When the most powerful clubs are down, that is when the rest must take advantage."

The admission that the defeat was a 'setback' didn't sit well with Blues fans, however, with the FA Cup essentially their last hope of securing European qualification for next season.

JAMIE CARRAGHER: With apologies to Chelsea fans, Aston Villa's defeat in the FA Cup was a setback for English football

✍️ @Carra23#TelegraphFootball #AVFC

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) February 9, 2024

For Villa, meanwhile, their next test in the Premier League is against Manchester United as they look to solidify their position in the top four and secure a historic entry into next season's Champions League.