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

Marco Asensio scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory for Aston Villa against Cardiff City, propelling them into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in a decade. After a frustrating first half, Asensio broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with an assist from Marcus Rashford, followed by a second goal ten minutes later from a Leon Bailey cross. This win marks a significant turnaround for Villa, especially after their recent 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Manager Unai Emery had prioritized this competition, seeing it as a vital opportunity to continue their European aspirations. Cardiff, struggling near the relegation zone, opted for a weakened squad to focus on their league survival. Asensio's recent form, scoring four goals in six games since joining on loan from PSG, has provided a much-needed boost for Villa ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash.