WE'RE NOT DEAD...WE ARE CHELSEA

Gusto says FA Cup demolition of Aston Villa is proof that the rhythm is back with Blues

- NEIL MOXLEY

MALO GUSTO hammered out a defiant message after Chelsea's FA Cup stroll at Villa Park, insisting: "We aren't dead."

The French full-back said the Blues carried out Mauricio Pochettino's plan to the letter as they booked a fifth-round clash with Leeds.

Pochettino's side produced their best performance of the campaign, recovering from back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Wolves to upset the formbook with a 3-1 win.

Unai Emery's Villa side were favourites to progress on their own patch but a devastating early double from Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson was followed by a sumptuous Enzo Fernandez free-kick, before Moussa Diaby put some gloss on the scoreline for Villa with a late consolation.

Gusto, 20, claimed reports of the club's demise had been exaggerated, saying: "We are Chelsea and it was important to show the fans we're not dead.