Asensio double sends Villa to FA Cup quarter-final

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales

Aston Villa cruised through to the last eight of the FA Cup as Marco Asensio's double secured them a deserved 2-0 win over Championship strugglers Cardiff City.

The hosts always looked in control but found visiting goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in fine form as he made several key saves to keep Cardiff competitive.

In a game of attack versus defence, the hosts struggled to breakdown Cardiff's low block, but eventually found the breakthrough when Marco Asensio swept the ball home from Marcus Rashford's precise cross.

Asensio made the result safe on 80 minutes as he converted from Leon Bailey's cross with another pinpoint finish as he scored his fourth goal since arriving on loan from Paris St-Germain in January.

Villa season full of promise despite mixed results

Rashford and Asensio combine to give Villa the lead

Despite some mixed results in recent weeks, 2025 could become a landmark year in the history of Villa with silverware still possible in two competitions.

Through to the last 16 of the Champions League and chasing the European spots in the Premier League, Villa are hoping to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1957 and to claim a first domestic trophy since 1996.

The strong Villa starting XI named by Unai Emery underlined the reverence they are showing the FA Cup and was in stark contrast to a much-changed Cardiff City side that included a debut for 19-year old academy graduate Dylan Lawlor.

It was no surprise that the hosts were the livelier in the opening exchanges with Cardiff goalkeeper Horvath saving Rashford's long-range freekick and John McGinn's tame effort.

Horvath also got a vital touch to deny Ollie Watkins when he went clear and after 23 minutes Villa had produced nine shots on goal with Cardiff practically welded to their own penalty area and unable to stem the pressure.

Bailey's powerful volley was saved by Horvath and Rashford blazed over from Bailey's cross, with Horvath making a terrific stop to deny Watkins with the last chance of a one-sided first half.

Horvath, given his chance at Cardiff after a season-ending injury for Jak Alnwick, was in inspired form and he denied McGinn again on 49 minutes before a fingertip stop kept out Rashford's long-range blast.

The pressure eventually told on 68 minutes, however, when Youri Tielemans found Rashford in space and he pulled the ball back for Asensio to sweep precisely into the bottom corner of the net.

The relief was palpable for the hosts who were the better side throughout and should have won by a wider margin.

Deservedly ahead on a night where they produced 25 shots and won 12 corners, Villa made the result safe with 10 minutes remaining as Spain midfielder Asensio fired through a crowded penalty area after Bailey's cross found him with time and space to apply the finish as Cardiff's fatigued defenders failed to make a challenge.

Asensio has now scored four goals in two starts for Villa.

Morgan Rogers missed a late chance to add a third for Villa on a night in which the hosts had close to 60 touches in Cardiff's penalty area.

Cardiff focus back on Championship relegation battle

For Cardiff focus will quickly now switch to their aim of preserving their league status.

Bluebirds boss Omer Riza had lamented that he could "not afford" to prioritise the FA Cup with Cardiff still not safe in the Championship relegation battle after making their worst start to a league campaign.

Making six changes from their league win over Hull City and handing a debut to a teenager, Riza showed clearly that Cardiff's priority this season is Championship survival.

On a night when rival supporters honoured the late midfielder Peter Whittingham, who played for both clubs, Cardiff never really threatened to pull off a shock in what has been a disappointing campaign.

Villa are now unbeaten in their past 16 home games against Cardiff, who did threaten on 26 minutes with a rare foray forward, but winger Anwar El Ghazi was caught offside as semi-automated offside technology was used for the first time in competitive matches in English football.

El Ghazi is a former Villa player and came out with his two children, one wearing the colours of Villa and one in Cardiff kit, but he cut a forlorn figure with the Welsh side rarely producing opportunities to excite their travelling supporters.

Cardiff had two opportunities in the contest, but might feel unlucky not to have been given a first half penalty after Lamine Bogarde made slight contact with Perry Ng.

Cardiff's best opportunity of the night came just before Villa went ahead when sub Yousef Salech forced Emi Martinez to save after Ng's first time cross, but the Championship side were well beaten.

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