Aston Villa Advances to FA Cup Quarterfinals with Asensio's Double

Image credits: Darren Staples/AP

Aston Villa has 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. 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 Marcus 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. Leon 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. 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. Asensio has now scored four goals in two starts for Villa, showcasing his exceptional skill and finishing ability, which has been a key factor in Villa's success, with the team also demonstrating resilience in the face of a determined Cardiff City side.

The match statistics highlight Villa's dominance, with the team having 25 shots on goal and winning 12 corners. The scoreline was as follows:

• Aston Villa 2
• Cardiff City 0

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. 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. Manager Unai Emery's tactics and team selection paid off, with the 4-2-3-1 formation proving effective against Cardiff's 3-4-2-1 setup. The FA Cup quarterfinals draw will take place after the remaining fifth-round ties, with Villa hoping to continue their run and potentially win the competition for the first time since 1957.

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