Marco Asensio propelled Aston Villa into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a stunning brace, helping his side secure a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on Friday night.
Unai Emery’s team faced a tough challenge from the determined Championship side, struggling to break through until the latter stages of the second half at Villa Park.
Asensio’s two goals marked Villa’s progression to the last eight for the first time since their run to the final in 2015.
The 29-year-old has been in remarkable form since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January, netting four times in just six appearances for Villa.
This win comes as a relief for Villa, who suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League just days earlier.
Despite their impending Champions League tie at Club Brugge on Tuesday, Emery chose to field a strong side against Cardiff.
In contrast, Cardiff’s manager Omar Riza opted for a weakened lineup, focusing on their battle against relegation with the team sitting just six points above the drop zone.
The last time Cardiff triumphed at Villa Park was in 1954, and they never truly threatened to break that long-standing record.
Aston Villa had an early scare, with both Marcus Rashford’s quick shot and John McGinn’s long-range effort kept out by Cardiff’s goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
Ollie Watkins had a golden opportunity to score but missed the chance after breaking into the penalty box and steering his shot wide.
Villa’s dominance in possession was so overwhelming that Cardiff fans sarcastically chanted “we’ve got the ball” when they finally managed to momentarily curb Villa’s assault.
However, Villa quickly regained control, with Leon Bailey’s powerful strike tipped over by Horvath.
Rashford squandered another chance to breakthrough, misfiring as he scuffed Bailey’s cross from close range.
Watkins also missed, volleying directly at Horvath after receiving a header from Rashford.
The overworked Horvath continued to deny Villa, saving McGinn’s long-range effort and then diving to parry away Rashford’s attempt from 20 yards as Villa kept up the pressure in the second period.
In an unexpected twist, Cardiff almost took the lead against the run of play when Yousef Salech reached out to connect with Perry Ng’s cross, but Emiliano Martinez made the crucial save.
Finally, Villa broke the deadlock in the 68th minute.
Rashford, enjoying a resurgence in form following his loan from Manchester United, received a pass from Youri Tielemans and set up Asensio, who slotted a precise finish into the bottom corner.
Asensio sealed the victory in the 80th minute, receiving Bailey’s pass and guiding his shot past Horvath from 10 yards out.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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