Aston Villa advances to FA Cup quarter-finals, defeats Cardiff 2-0

Aston Villa advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in a decade, defeating Cardiff City 2-0 thanks to a second-half brace from Marco Asensio. The match, held at Villa Park, saw Villa dominate but struggle to break through until the 68th minute when Asensio scored, assisted by Marcus Rashford. Asensio added a second goal ten minutes later, solidifying the victory and showcasing his impressive form since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Coach Unai Emery acknowledged the team's strong position in the competition, especially after high-profile exits of teams like Liverpool and Arsenal. Villa's performance was particularly dominant at home, marking their 15th consecutive unbeaten match across all competitions. Cardiff, prioritizing league survival, made several changes to their lineup, ultimately unable to match Villa's intensity.