Aston Villa marched confidently to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after defeating Cardiff City 2-0 at Villa Park early Saturday morning. Marco Ascensio was the standout performer, scoring both goals for Villa, helping secure their place among the last eight teams.
The match began with both teams testing each other, but neither managed to find the net during the first half. Villa created several opportunities, but their finishing left much to be desired, with the best chances falling to Ollie Watkins, who had two golden opportunities saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Aiden Flint.
It wasn't until the 68th minute when Villa finally broke the deadlock. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, made his mark by delivering a well-placed cross, which Ascensio met with precision, firing the ball past Flint to make it 1-0. The goal ignited the home crowd and set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Shortly before the end of the match, Ascensio struck again, completing his brace in the 79th minute. This time, he received assistance from Leon Bailey, who set him up to calmly finish low past Flint for Villa's second goal, sealing the game at 2-0.
Ascensio's performance was particularly noteworthy as he has now scored four goals for Villa since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, with three of those goals coming from Rashford's assists. "We have created good chemistry on the pitch already, and it’s great to see it translate to goals," Ascensio reflected after the game. “I’m happy to help the team secure this win and to be among the goals once again.”
Rashford himself had quite the game, contributing significantly by creating six scoring chances, which matched his individual record at Manchester United, where he had achieved the same stat during his time at the club. Although he has yet to score for Villa, he has made three assists since his arrival and continues to impress with his form. “I feel comfortable here,” Rashford expressed, hinting at his desire to remain beyond his loan deal. “It’s been great to link up with Marco, and I hope to keep producing chances for the team.”
On the opposite side, Cardiff City had their struggles. Coach Sabri Lamouchi acknowledged the uphill battle his team faces, especially being positioned at 19th place in the Championship, just six points above the relegation zone. "Our main focus is survival; we cannot put too much emphasis on the FA Cup right now," he conceded following the match. Cardiff had entered this game with the hopes of pulling off an upset, but their league struggles were evident, as they were unable to capitalize on their chances and contained by Villa’s strong performance.
Villa's manager, Unai Emery, praised his players for their intensity and focus throughout the match. “I was pleased with how we controlled the game and kept our respect for Cardiff. Even with being the stronger side, the match can change quickly, so we needed to be diligent," he said, noting their well-deserved victory.
Now, as Villa moves forward, they set their sight on European competition, with their next match coming up against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. "We must now shift our focus to the Champions League and enjoy the challenge it brings," Emery added, reflecting on the importance of maintaining momentum.
The result cements Aston Villa’s hope for silverware this season as they now prepare for their subsequent fixtures, eyeing both domestic and European success. With key players like Ascensio and Rashford showing tremendous form, Villa fans are optimistic about what lies ahead.
With this victory, Aston Villa emphasized their strength as they continue to vie for glory not just domestically, but also on the European stage.