Confirmed Officials: Aston Villa vs Chelsea | FA Cup

The officials have been confirmed for Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

After a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last month, an under-pressure Chelsea side make the midweek trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa for a spot in the fifth round.

Mauricio Pochettino‘s side suffered a 4-2 defeat to Wolves on a disappointing afternoon in the Premier League, increasing the scrutiny on the 51-year-old who is still being backed by the club.

“Of course we are very disappointed because in the way we lose the game and the way we perform wasn’t the plan or the way we wanted to compete,” reflected the Chelsea head coach in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“But I think we need to keep going because I think we can’t lose the focus only for two defeats, when 10 days before I think we were talking after Aston Villa we were saying we deserved to win and we were competing really well.

“Yes, of course, disappointed, but it’s normal in football that this type of thing happens. We at Chelsea are now doing things different than we were in the past. To be consistent is the most difficult thing now.”

Pochettino confirmed he still has the backing of the Chelsea hierarchy, responding to reporters: “We are all together in this. And that is the most important thing but of course they are in contact with me and the sporting directors every day.”

Chelsea will be backed by over 6,000 travelling fans at Villa Park on Wednesday night. They will need the support from the stands if they stand a chance of progressing, but a defeat will pile even more pressure on Pochettino from the increasingly disgruntled fanbase.

Now the officials for the replay have been revealed by the FA ahead of the encounter.

Referee

The FA have confirmed that Thomas Bramall will take charge of the meeting in the Midlands.

Assistants

Thomas Bramall will be supported by Simon Bennett and Daniel Robathan on the touchline.

Fourth Official

Anthony Taylor has been named as the Fourth Official for Wednesday’s match, with the referee overseeing conduct within the two dugouts, and the behaviour of Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino.

VAR/Assistant VAR

Overviewing proceedings from Stockley Park on Wednesday night will be Peter Bankes, who has been named as the Video Assistant Referee, with Graham Scott as the supporting VAR. Dan Cook will take the duty of Assistant Video Assistant Referee.