Marco Asensio’s brace saw Aston Villa beat a spirited Cardiff City 2-0 at Villa Park to reach the Quarter-Finals of 2024-25 FA Cup.
Asensio broke the deadlock with a 68th minute strike from Marcus Rashford’s cut-back pass on the left flank towards the centre of the box.
The 29 year-old completed his second brace in consecutive matches with a 80th minute low effort from Leon Bailey’s cutback pass on the right flank, which sent Villa into the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2014-15 season.
Speaking to ITV post-match, Asensio spoke of his happiness at seeing Villa progress to the last eight amidst a busy period for the club.
“We are really happy. It was not an easy game. We knew it was a difficult game. [I’m] very happy for the goals, for the win. we’re in the next round, that’s the most important.”
Having not progressed to this stage of the FA Cup in a decade since they finished runners-up in 2015, Villa made a dominant start but lacked a clinical final touch as Rashford saw three shots in quick succession blocked from a 16th minute corner.
Youri Tielemans saw a 20th minute shot from Rashford’s cutback pass blocked by Aaron Ramsey as Cardiff continued to defend resiliently, whilst the Bluebirds’ Ethan Horvath punched away a 33rd minute strike from Bailey.
Bailey almost turned assistant just a minute later as he struck a low cross across goal but Rashford smashed his shot over the bar, as Villa continued to find themselves frustrated into half-time by the Bluebirds who had won two of their three previous FA Cup ties against the Villains.
Cardiff continued their defensive grit once the second half commenced as Horvath blocked John McGinn’s 49th minute shot, before Andres Garcia’s follow-up strike flew wide.
Pressure soon mounted on Villa as Rashford attempted a long-range shot which was safely collected by Horvath towards the top-right corner, whilst Ollie Watkins curled wide of that same corner just minutes later.
Cardiff eventually mustered up their first second-half attack in the 66th minute as substitute, Yousef Salech pounced on Perry NG’s cross, but his shot was saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Villa eventually punished Cardiff’s wasted chance just two minutes later as Ian Maatsen teed up Tielemans to play a ball over the top into the box, which Rashford gathered and cut back for Asensio to rifle into the near left corner to put Unai Emery’s Villains in front.
Rashford’s assist to Asensio also marked the third time in Villa’s two recent games that they had combined, after the England forward had set up his Spanish teammate’s brace in their Premier League comeback win at home to Chelsea last weekend.
In his post-match interview with ITV, Asensio hailed Rashford as “a top player” and is happy to be playing alongside him and his fellow teammates, but iterated that building momentum is important as Villa turn their focus to the Champions League next week.
“We are together not so much but I know what he wants to do, where he passes and I am very happy to have Marcus and all of the teammates.
“We have to keep pushing, we are in the right way. Next step is Champions League and now the focus is there.”
Asensio eventually proved that he can be effective down the middle behind Watkins alongside both wingers as he struck again in the 80th minute, but this time he fired in from Bailey’s cutback pass on the right flank which had evaded Watkins’ reach and sent Villa into the Quarter-Finals.
What’s Next?
Villa turn their focus to the Round of 16 action in Champions League as they face a first leg away to Club Brugge on Tuesday 4 March at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), having lost away to the Belgian club in the League Phase in November 2024.
Cardiff are too in action that evening as they return to their fight for Championship survival with a home clash against Burnley at 7:45pm GMT.
Teams
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez, Andres Garcia, Ezri Konsa, Lamare Bogarde, Ian Maatsen (Digne 83′), John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Leon Bailey, Marco Asensio (Ramsey 82′), Marcus Rashford (Rogers 82′), Ollie Watkins (Jimoh-Aloba 82′)
Substitutes: Lucas Digne, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Boubacar Kamara, Robin Olsen, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Rogers, Triston Rowe, Oliwier Zych
Cardiff: Ethan Horvath, Will Fish, Dimitrios Goutas, Dylan Lawlor (Davies 81′), Perry Ng, Aaron Ramsey (Robertson 65′), Rubin Colwill, Luey Giles (Bagan 64′), Anwar El Ghazi, Chris Willock (Ashford 81′), Callum Robinson (Salech 46′)
Substitutes: Cian Ashford, Joel Bagan, Isaak Davies, Sivert Mannsverk, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Callum O’Dowda, Alex Robertson, Yousef Salech, Matthew Turner
Referee – Peter Bankes
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