Ben Chilwell says the "togetherness" of the Chelsea dressing room is the "best" he has seen.
Manager Pochettino was under the spotlight after heavy League defeats to Liverpool and Wolves, but Chelsea showed they are still playing for him with their best performance of the season.
The Blues won 3-1 at Villa Park last night to reach the FA Cup fifth round. First-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea in control before a world-class free-kick from Enzo Fernandez sealed victory in the second half.
After Chelsea set up a fifth-round tie against Leeds, captain Chilwell said: "That was exactly the reaction we wanted and needed.
"We wanted that pressure. We thrived off it. The confidence before the game in the changing room — the togetherness — was the best I have seen.
"We delivered on the pitch. It wasn't just the manager — the players, the staff, the fans, everyone associated with the club needed that today. Fair play to all the boys."
Gallagher said Chelsea wanted to put on a show for their fans after a difficult week and believes they have something to build on ahead of Monday's trip to Crystal Palace.
"I think after our last couple of performances everyone was determined to have a good one and it was, and most importantly, a win as well," he said.
"There was a lot of hunger and that's what we need every game. I think before the game you could sense that, because the last two games have not been good enough by our standards.
"Everyone was really up for it and raring to give our fans a good performance and we did. We know how we can play — we showed that. A lot of times this season we haven't been good enough, but also a lot of times we have been really good against the top teams, so we know how good we can be.
"We're really buzzing and Villa are a top team, so to beat them, and the way we did it, was brilliant. We will take a lot of confidence from that and hopefully take it into the next game."
Last night was Gallagher's first goal of the season and the midfielder said: "It is [a weight off my shoulders], finally! I like to score and want to score more. This season I haven't done so and, hopefully, I can get a few more."
