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

Image credits: Bradley Collyer/PA

Aston Villa has advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City in the fifth round. The team's newcomer, Marco Asensio, struck twice in the second half to lead the Premier League team to a convincing win. Asensio, who joined Villa earlier this month from Paris Saint-Germain, has now scored four goals in six games for the team. His double strike against Cardiff City has propelled Villa into the last eight of the FA Cup, a feat they last achieved in the 2014-15 campaign.

The match saw Villa dominate the Welsh side, with the home team peppering Cardiff's goalkeeper, Ethan Horvath, with 10 shots on target. Despite Cardiff's strong defense, Asensio finally broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, sweeping the ball into the bottom corner after a pass from Marcus Rashford. Asensio completed his double in the 80th minute, guiding the ball into the bottom corner from Leon Bailey's cross. The Spaniard received a standing ovation when he was substituted off soon after, a testament to his impressive performance.

Cardiff City, who are 29 places below Villa on England's football pyramid, were not able to field a full-strength squad due to important upcoming league games in their Championship relegation battle. Despite this, the team put up a good fight, with Horvath making several impressive saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 until Asensio's first goal. The team's manager, Omer Riza, praised Horvath's performance, saying he was "brilliant" and deserved all the accolades he received. The match was also preceded by a celebration in memory of Peter Whittingham, who died five years ago after a career in which he represented both Aston Villa and Cardiff City with distinction.

The win has boosted Villa's chances of advancing in the FA Cup, and the team will now look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. With Asensio and Rashford forming a potent attacking partnership, Villa will be a force to be reckoned with in the quarterfinals. The team's manager, Unai Emery, revealed that part of the plan to entice Asensio to Villa was to play him in his preferred position, and the Spaniard has certainly repaid that faith with his impressive performances so far. Asensio's ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates has been a key factor in Villa's success, and he will be looking to continue this form in the quarterfinals.

The FA Cup quarterfinals will feature some exciting matchups, with Villa set to face off against other top teams in the competition. The team's fans will be eagerly anticipating the draw, which will determine their opponents in the next round. With their confidence boosted by their win over Cardiff City, Villa will be looking to make a deep run in the FA Cup. The team's momentum is building, and they will be a tough opponent for any team in the quarterfinals. Asensio's goalscoring ability has been a key factor in Villa's success, and he will be looking to continue this form in the quarterfinals. Some of the key statistics from the match include:

• Match score: Aston Villa 2, Cardiff City 0
• Goalscorers: Marco Asensio (68', 80')
• Shots on target: Aston Villa 10, Cardiff City 1
• Pass completion rate: Aston Villa 85%, Cardiff City 70%