Asensio sinks Cardiff as Villa reach FA Cup quarters
Marco Asensio fired Aston Villa into the FA Cup quarter-finals as the Spanish forward struck twice in a 2-0 win against Cardiff on Friday.
Unai Emery's side were held at bay by the gritty Championship outfit until deep into the second half of the last-16 clash at Villa Park. Asensio's double ensured Villa advanced to the last eight for the first time since their run to the final in 2015.
The 29-year-old has four goals in six games for Villa since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window. It was a welcome victory for Villa, who were thrashed 4-1 at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Despite the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Club Brugge looming on Tuesday, Emery opted to pick a strong team against the Bluebirds.
Teetering just six points above the Championship relegation zone, Cardiff boss Omar Riza took the opposite approach, as he selected a weakened team to prioritise their survival battle. Cardiff last won at Villa Park in 1954 and the Welsh side never looked like ending that futile streak.
Marcus Rashford's snap-shot and John McGinn's curler from distance were both well saved by Cardiff keeper Ethan Horvath in the opening stages. Ollie Watkins should have put Villa ahead but the England striker poked wide after racing into the penalty area.