Two late goals have secured a 2-0 victory for Aston Villa over Cardiff City in the Premier League.

Hosts Villa enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half but their efforts to open the scoring were denied by David Marshall, who made early saves from Karim El Ahmadi and Yacouba Sylla.

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Christian Benteke was the next player to come close to scoring when his low strike from 20 yards was tipped past the post by Marshall.

The Belgian forward had an even better opportunity to break the deadlock just moments later, but he headed wide after finding space in the box from a corner.

Cardiff kept the ball well for long spells in the first half but they struggled to create any clear opportunities.

Villa continued to threaten after the break, with Libor Kozak seeing a header pushed against the post by Marshall.

Benteke's disappointing afternoon continued as he missed another opportunity when he headed El Ahmadi's cross over the bar following a fast counter-attack from Villa.

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The home side finally found the opening goal in the 76th minutes thanks to Leandro Bacuna, who curled in a free kick from 30 yards to leave Marshall helpless for the first time in the afternoon.

Villa confirmed the victory four minutes from time when Kozak ended a goalmouth scramble by heading in his team's second from close range.