"We are not dead": £30.7m ace sends brilliant reminder to Chelsea fans after stunning Aston Villa display

Chelsea defender Malo Gusto says their display against Aston Villa is proof that they are alive and working to return the club to where it belongs. 

The Blues produced a sterling display to beat Aston Villa 3-1 and secure progression to the next round of the FA Cup despite the noise around the club. The performance and result coming off defeats to Liverpool and Wolves turned what was a difficult week into a promising one. 

And Malo Gusto signed for £30.7million from Lyon in January 2023 was one of the architects of the win. He says their mentality was spot on and the display showed they are alive.

He is quoted by the Evening Standard: “We are Chelsea. We just have to show the fans we are not dead and that we work every week to get better. That is what we have to do.

“[The difference] was the mentality. The mentality of us all together was very nice and that is why we won. The coach told us to get a good mentality, stick together and to put pressure [on them instead] — and that’s what we did.

“We know the group is young but we have to stay together, work together and keep this good mentality to become better players.

“That is what we did [against Villa]. We just focused on playing well together and moving forward.

“We just have to win every game and stay focused on the Premier League, FA Cup and win this final in the Carabao Cup [against Liverpool], that is what we have to do." 

Chelsea boss Pochettino will now hope that the performance at Villa Park is now the turning point and they go on to win the League Cup final and secure European football next season.