London, March 1, (V7N) – Aston Villa secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on Friday, thanks to a brace from Marco Asensio at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s men dominated possession but were frustrated by a resolute Cardiff defense until the Spanish forward’s late heroics secured their progression. The win marks Villa’s first FA Cup quarter-final appearance since reaching the final in 2015.

Despite a looming Champions League last-16 clash with Club Brugge, Emery fielded a strong lineup, aiming to bounce back from their 4-1 Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace earlier in the week. Cardiff, struggling in the Championship relegation battle, prioritized their league survival and named a weakened side.

Villa created several chances in the first half, with Marcus Rashford and John McGinn forcing saves from Cardiff goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. Ollie Watkins squandered a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, missing from close range. Cardiff’s defensive discipline held firm, and their fans sarcastically cheered upon brief spells of possession.

Cardiff nearly took a shock lead when Yousef Salech’s effort forced Emiliano Martinez into action. However, Villa’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 68th minute when Rashford surged forward, delivering a pinpoint pass for Asensio to clinically slot home.

Asensio doubled his tally in the 80th minute, latching onto Leon Bailey’s pass before guiding the ball past Horvath. The 29-year-old, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, now has four goals in six games for Villa, proving instrumental in their cup campaign.

With their place in the last eight secured, Villa shifts focus to their Champions League ambitions, while Cardiff returns to their fight for survival in the Championship.

END/SD/RH/