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MAURICIO POCHETTINO has put his head on the block for his struggling Chelsea players after crunch talks on Tuesday.

The Blues head to Aston Villa on Wednesday night for an FA Cup replay reeling from back-to-back defeats in which they shipped eight goals.

Mauricio Pochettino feels the pain but keeps the faith
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Mauricio Pochettino feels the pain but keeps the faithCredit: Alamy
Benoit Badiashile commiserates with Mykhailo Mudryk after defeat vs Wolves
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Benoit Badiashile commiserates with Mykhailo Mudryk after defeat vs WolvesCredit: AP

But boss Poch said: “I told the players today in a meeting that I trust you more than ever. I’m going to support you more than ever.

"I am not a normal boss, I am the leader and I need to reflect with every single action that I really trust the players.

“If they don’t perform it is my responsibility and the players’ responsibility always because they are on the pitch.

“I trust we can turn the situation around and change the results.”

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Chelsea were hammered 4-1 at Liverpool then 4-2 at home by Wolves on Sunday to send them into the bottom half of the Premier League.

But Pochettino revealed he received a supportive text from Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly to reassure him at a tense time.

The Argentine added: “I received a very good text from them. We are all together in this.

“What happened against Liverpool is affecting the players because we are a team who needs confidence.

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“That is why we are demanding support for the team because we know the players have an amazing quality.

“The problem is it takes time to build a team.

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That is the reality we need to translate to the fans — and for the fans to be patient.

“Of course we are going to find a way to fix it — we are going to perform and be in the position the club deserves.”

Thiago Silva shows the anguish of Chelsea's players after two heavy losses
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Thiago Silva shows the anguish of Chelsea's players after two heavy lossesCredit: Alamy
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