BLANKETY BLANKED

Exhibit A in the argument against replays

- MIKE WALTERS

CHELSEA 0 

ASTON VILLA 0 

ABOLITIONISTS lobbying for the end of FA Cup replays found compelling evidence to support their cause in a Stamford Bridge stalemate.

Despite an abundance of good intentions, composure in the final third was as common as rocking horse droppings last night.

Scrapping replays is a virtuous concept if it helps to unclutter the fixture list, but it doesn’t solve lacklustre fare like this on its own.

Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery could have detained their players until midnight, but in the absence of anyone who could locate the back end of an elephant with a carpet beater, a sequel by Spaghetti Junction was always the likeliest outcome.

If Chelsea are to fulfil Poch’s ambition of two Wembley finals this season, they will have to take the scenic route.

And for 6,000 travelling fans, at least their traipse through Friday night traffic was not entirely in vain.