Marco Asensio’s second double in six days sent Aston Villa to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 10 years and ended Championship club Cardiff City’s run in this season’s competition.
Midfielder Asensio combined with fellow January loan signing Marcus Rashford in familiar fashion to fire the 68th-minute opener from inside the penalty area as part of a dominant victory for the Premier League side.
Manchester United forward Rashford had set up both of Asensio’s goals in Villa’s 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea in the Premier League last Saturday.
The Paris St-Germain midfielder tucked in his second from Ollie Watkins’ cross 10 minutes from time as Villa extended their unbeaten home run to 15 matches in all competitions.
Marcus Rashford ➡️ Marco Asensio ⚽
The duo are at it again for Aston Villa!@AVFCOfficial | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/opDqkYZWVI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2025
Aston Villa vs Cardiff: Bluebirds ousted
Cardiff performed admirably to hold on during a first half of almost total domination for Villa, with the visitors only having their first touch inside the opposition box after 42 minutes and finding themselves indebted to goalkeeper Ethan Horvath for saves from Watkins and Leon Bailey.
USA international Horvath turned a swerving long-range effort from Rashford behind shortly after the break, while there was a moment of concern for Villa when centre-back Ezri Konsa went down unchallenged shortly afterwards and required treatment on an apparent knee injury before continuing.
The second-lowest ranked team left in the competition produced their only attempt on target a minute before falling behind, when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – an injury doubt before the game – saved sharply and held Yousef Salach’s first-time shot from Perry Ng’s excellent cross from the right.
MARCO ASENSIO! 🇪🇸
The Spaniard steering Aston Villa into the quarter-finals of the #EmiratesFACup @AVFCOfficial | #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/4eocKX6U4H
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2025
Villa dominate in FA Cup win
Unai Emery claimed on Friday that his team are not FA Cup contenders, but the Villa manager named a stronger side than expected and the result was a resounding win.
Villa had 10 efforts on target, 25 of the 29 attempts at goal between the teams and almost 68% of possession, although a lack of ruthlessness kept the home fans waiting for their first goal.
They are four days from their Champions League last-16 first leg at Club Brugge, while Cardiff are keen to concentrate on extending their distance from the second-tier relegation zone.
The Bluebirds – managed by former West Ham and Arsenal forward Omer Riza – also did not name a full-strength team despite a 1-0 home win over Hull City on Tuesday sending them six points above the bottom three.
City had recorded two impressive away victories against opponents from their division to reach the fifth round, beating promotion contenders Sheffield United and winning on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Stoke City.
