Michael Ballack has this week denied that he undermined Luiz Felipe Scolari's employment at Chelsea, with assistant manager Ray Wilkins also quick to insist that "player power" is not prevalent at the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Today though, a pensive Ballack told the club's official website how Nicolas Anelka's 12-minute hat-trick against Watford, that sealed progression in the FA Cup, has the potential to lift the side so that they can go on to manufacture a late surge in the league that could have a knock-on effect in Europe.

"It is always good if you can win games, the FA Cup was very important for us.

"The situation in the league is not the best and our chances look better in the FA Cup and Champions League. It was a big game to win though, especially after the change of manager.

"It was really important to be in the next round, and this week we have had the whole week to train and work with the new coach in preparation for Aston Villa, and it is going well. We have to work and we have to learn about each other, and it has to be quick!"

Guus Hiddink's first game in charge is against Aston Villa where a positive result is a mandatory requirement if the Blues are to cement their position amongst the Champions League elite. Chelsea have thus far failed to exert themselves in the bigger domestic games this season, and Ballack is wary of the evident strengths that exist at Villa Park.

"They are a very physically strong team, very well organised and score a lot of set-pieces from wide, very strong in the air and they have played a very good season until now.

"But, if I can remember the game at Stamford Bridge in October we played a very good game, controlled the whole 90 minutes and the 2-0 score was less than we deserved. We have to remember that game, and it must give us confidence. The situation is they are two points in front, but if we win there we can be in a stronger position," he concluded.

The Aston Villa and Chelsea game kicks off at 12:45 GMT.