Marco Asensio netted a second-half brace against Cardiff City to end Aston Villa's 10-year wait for an FA Cup quarter-final appearance.
Travelling to a Premier League ground, Cardiff knew they would have to ride their luck and suffer if they were to have any hope of reaching the quarter-finals.
The Bluebirds would have certainly been the happier of the two sides at the break after Villa spurned a number of opportunities to break the deadlock in the first period, with Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford among those who failed to capitalise on promising chances.
Villa continued to pile the pressure on Cardiff following the restart, and while the valiant visitors did their utmost to stay level, their resistance was finally broken in the 68th minute when Marcos Asensio guided the ball home from Rashford's cut-back.
Just over 10 minutes later, the former Real Madrid star made sure of Villa's place in the quarter-final draw, stroking the ball into the bottom corner to end Cardiff's FA Cup journey.
As a result of Asensio's match-winning display, the Villans can continue to dream of lifting their first FA Cup since 1956-57.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Villa boss Unai Emery would have been frustrated with the fact that it took nearly 70 minutes to find the breakthrough after creating and spurning several chances before they eventually broke the deadlock.
However, Villa ultimately showed great persistence to negotiate the fifth-round tie especially as the FA Cup represents the best chance for them to win a trophy this season.
The end of the season is now shaping up to be an exciting one for Villa supporters, with the club competing in the FA Cup quarter-finals and the Champions League last 16.
As for Omer Riza, he would have been proud of his team's effort, although the difference in quality ultimately proved crucial in the end.
ASTON VILLA VS. CARDIFF CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Asensio goal vs. Cardiff (68th min, Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff)
Marcus Rashford ➡️ Marco Asensio ⚽
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2025
The duo are at it again for Aston Villa!@AVFCOfficial | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/opDqkYZWVI
Villa finally find a way through after spurning a number of chances. Rashford makes the run in behind to latch onto Youri Tielemans's lofted pass. The Manchester United loanee produces a first-time pass to cut the ball back for Asensio, who slots past Ethan Horvath at the near post.
Asensio goal vs. Cardiff (80th min, Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff)
MARCO ASENSIO! 🇪🇸
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2025
The Spaniard steering Aston Villa into the quarter-finals of the #EmiratesFACup @AVFCOfficial | #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/4eocKX6U4H
Game. Set. Match. Asensio nets his second goal of the evening to put the tie out of Cardiff's reach. The 29-year-old receives the ball from Watkins, before manoeuvring it out of his feet to send a low shot beyond Horvath, who can only get a fingertip to the precise strike.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCO ASENSIO
© Imago
Asensio may not have always been involved, but he showcased his quality in the important moments to send Villa into the last eight.
The attacker found the net with both of his shots on target, demonstrating the sort of efficiency that saw him play for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Rashford also deserves a mention after he provided an assist, created six chances and completed three dribbles in the fifth-round tie.
ASTON VILLA VS. CARDIFF CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 68%-32% Cardiff
Shots: Aston Villa 25-4 Cardiff
Shots on target: Aston Villa 10-1 Cardiff
Corners: Aston Villa 12-0 Cardiff
Fouls: Aston Villa 10-9 Cardiff
BEST STATS
Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 28, 2025
3 assists
2 starts pic.twitter.com/0p1xtiRTAO
13 - Since his Aston Villa debut on 9 February, Marcus Rashford has created more chances in all competitions than any other Premier League player (13). Revitalised. pic.twitter.com/eXjyAAFJEl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 28, 2025
In Aston Villa's last two home games:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 28, 2025
⚽️ Asensio goal, Rashford assist
⚽️ Asensio goal, Rashford assist
⚽️ Asensio goal, Rashford assist
Villa's new duo are loving life after combining for three goals 🤝🤩 pic.twitter.com/qg0oqHnAzr
WHAT NEXT?
After sealing a quarter-final spot, Villa will quickly turn their focus to Tuesday's trip to Belgium, where they will face Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
As for Cardiff, they will go back to the reality of a Championship relegation fight, with the Bluebirds set to take on promotion contenders Burnley in Tuesday's home clash.
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