Already, Villa look comfortable and threatening, with Luiz at the top of the box prompting a roar of 'shoot' from the zesty home fans.

Instead, the attack looks for Watkins and can't pull off a perfect cross - but it's still a relief when Petrovic gets his boot on the ball for a Chelsea kick.

Gallagher ushers the ball to Chilwell running on the left, but as he passes off to Jackson, the Senegal striker is caught by Bailey - fouling him in return.

Early feistiness from the home side sees McGinn and Tielemans ferreting around in Chelsea's penalty area, but the visitors are quick to get the ball away and set up their own quick counter.

But Aston Villa neutralise the threat with ease, and begin to play out from the back again.

That didn't take long - a response from the visitors in Nottingham.

It's Jason Knight on the scoresheet, just six minutes after Origi's strike.

But the visitors will no doubt be pleased they still have the unconditional love of one fan.

It hasn't taken long for the hosts to draw first blood!

Divock Origi does the honours just eight minutes into the City Ground clash.

Every match is different, we are very excited to play here with our support. We have been successful for a long time at Villa Park, and we want to keep doing the same.

We are going to adapt now for Chelsea, they were pressing very good – they lost the last two matches, but they have a very good coach, and very good players. They’re astute tactically too.

Both Aston Villa and Chelsea's womens' teams are in action in the Conti Cup tonight, but with differing fortunes.

Creeping towards half-time, the serial-winning Blues are off to the races against Sunderland and 2-0 up, whereas Villa trail Brighton away 1-0.

We are Chelsea, and we know very well we need to win every single game, and if not, it's a problem.

Today is a different competition, again a very good team, (but) we are in the final of the Carabao Cup because we made very good things, but we need to accept that too many things happen around (us).

But I think we are convinced we can compete in our best way.

That would be Todd Boehly - barring a surprise appearance - who gets shouted out by a platform full of supporters calling for his swift exit.

I am a professional. I always pick my players because of performance, balance, and I think I understand the question but... no. I want to be calm, because I am a professional, I want to be professional, and I always make a professional decision.

When doggedly asked if that was why he benched the defender, Pochettino said - with no little twinkle:

My answer was clear, no?

As Mail Sport's Kieran Gill warned, the atmosphere has been... testy on arrival.

There's another replay scheduled for this evening, as Bristol City trek north to try and overturn Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest on foreign soil.

Nuno Espirito Santo has overhauled the Forest side that last ran out against Bournemouth over the weekend with a whopping eight changes, whilst Bristol City make just three from the team that last faced Leeds.

That tie kicks off at the City Ground at 7.45pm - and we'll keep you updated on developments as they come.

... with the latest on Pochettino's soundtracked entrance at the ground.

In a massive blow for the home side, Emery shared the extent of Konsa's injury - picked up against the Blades - with the press on Tuesday afternoon.

You can read about his absence - and the looming consequences - below.

The hosts make just one change from the side that thumped five past Sheffield United, with Cash coming in for Konsa, who is out injured, whilst the visitors have a more thorough shuffle of the deck, dropping Sterling to back to the bench for Madueke.

Jackson comes back into the side fresh from representing Senegal with AFCON at the expense of Nkunku, and Silva is swapped for Badiashile.

Here's another hypothetical - what would Chelsea do for a player like Didier Drogba in their side this season?

A player synonymous with the boundless success of the Abramovich era, the Ivory Coast international hasn't come down quite as hard on Pochettino's fledgling squad as some of his former team-mates... but shares his thoughts with a warning.

You can read them below.

What Chelsea actually would do for an FA Cup trophy this year probably doesn't bear asking - it could get embarrassing.

The moods in the two dressing rooms at Villa Park could hardly be more different.

The hosts may struggle to find their motivation this evening - Premier League form remains the focus, and before long, focus will switch back to Europe too, where the club remains in contention for Europa Conference League glory.

Chelsea, however, have the opportunity not only to help win back supporters furious after Sunday's defeat, but project a message of squad harmony after rampant speculation over Pochettino's divided squad.

With Leeds in their sightline, the Blues could also target a significant run in the FA Cup - with Europe achingly far away from their 11th-place spot in the league, domestic cups are likely Chelsea's only hope of clawing their way back into UEFA competition next season.

Things became almost Dream Team-esque in west London after Belle Silva - the wife of Blues veteran defender Thiago Silva - posted a tweet on Sunday appearing to call for the exit of Pochettino, stage left.

Cue a barrage of questions about the coach's relationship with his player - good, nay 'strong' - and rumours to the contrary.

You can read more on the latest installment (at the time of writing) below.

... Leeds, after they left it late to smash four past Plymouth Argyle on an apocalyptically soaked night at Home Park in their fourth round replay.

The winner of tonight's tie will host the clash.

Unlike at last night's feature, there will be VAR in play this evening, much to the horror/delight of the home/away fans, no doubt.

Less than two seasons ago, Steven Gerrard was heading through the door - and one Mauricio Pochettino had been on an early shortlist to replace him.

Instead, Aston Villa plumped for Unai Emery - and began a charge up the Premier League table few could have anticipated.

Read Mail Sport Tom Collomosse's report as the two managers - and former derby rivals - prepare to go head-to-head once again.

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of the FA Cup fourth round replay tie between Aston Villa and Chelsea - a match which could come with the subheading 'Pochettino's battle to keep his job'.

Things may not have got that severe yet - the Argentine manager was keen to stress that the reactions to Chelsea's defeat against Wolves wildly differed to those after Liverpool's loss at the Emirates - but after two heavy defeats home and away, the chance to black their Premier League rivals' eye at Villa Park would offer a strong rejoinder to those currently calling for his head.

The first time these two met just under two weeks ago, it was a cagey, goalless affair, where either side could have edged it and deservedly progressed. But what happens tonight?

Stick around to find out - kick-off comes in just over an hour and a half, but we'll bring you all the team news and more in the build-up.