Mauricio Pochettino demands Chelsea players show more 'respect' to themselves following Premier League collapse to Arsenal

Pochettino, 52, has called for his players to remember 'how to behave' when the game is tough, following a dismal 5-0 defeat to London rivals Arsenal in midweek.

Leandro Trossard, Ben White and former Chelsea hero Kai Havertz were all on the scoresheet - with White and Havertz both bagging themselves a brace at the Emirates Stadium.

"We were talking a lot, today we had a meeting," the Chelsea boss said.

"We tried to realise how we need to behave when the game is tough, when the demands are so high. We need to try and be more strong and to trust in the way that we play, in our philosophy, in the way we prepare the games.

"To have the discipline, it's true, like after the game, we cannot blame the players that the circumstances that we are leaving. We need to be positive and we need to be strong and believe tomorrow we can have a good game, good attitude, good approach.

"We are going to compete again with another team, fighting for the top. We need to think we are Chelsea and respect ourselves."

The rallying call arrives after another tough week for the Blues. Pochettino's men crashed out of the FA Cup in the semi finals against Manchester City and suffered the drubbing from Chelsea just three days later.

They currently sit in ninth place within the Premier League - as a disappointing campaign slowly comes to an end for the club.

A tough clash against Champions League chasers Aston Villa now approaches, as Chelsea travel to the West Midlands on Saturday evening.

Unai Emery's men secured a 1-0 victory away from home in the first meeting between the two sides back in September, thanks to a goal from England international Ollie Watkins.