Aston Villa and Cardiff City will clash at Villa Park as part of the FA Cup fifth round on Friday, February 28, 2025. The match promises to be significant for both teams as they aim for success in the historic tournament.
Aston Villa enters this game following a recent 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, having previously secured their spot by defeating Tottenham 2-1. Cardiff City, on the other hand, has advanced after overcoming Hull City on penalties, alongside their recent league victory.
The FA Cup match will kick off at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET, and viewers in the United States can catch all the action live on ESPN+. GOAL will also provide live updates through its Match Centre, ensuring fans are engaged with the latest developments during the game.
For those outside the United States, streaming may require the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), such as NordVPN, to access services like ESPN+. This allows fans abroad to maintain connections to their favorite streaming and support their teams.
On the team front, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is expected to make changes due to their tight schedule, including Champions League fixtures. He could opt to start new players like Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, and there might be changes to the goalkeeper position with Robin Olsen potentially getting the nod over Emiliano Martinez. Still, injuries to Pau Torres, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, and Amadou Onana limit Villa’s options.
Meanwhile, Cardiff City must contend with their own roster challenges. Goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is out for the season, and Ethan Horvath is set to take over. Other players such as Ollie Tanner, Will Alves, David Turnbull, and Joe Ralls will all be sidelined due to injuries, creating hurdles for the visitors as they prepare to take on Villa. Aaron Ramsey is also doubtful to participate, but defender Dimitrios Goutas returns from suspension, adding some much-needed depth to the team.
Also worth noting, fans can tune in to watch the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals on the Emirates FA Cup's official YouTube channel, adding to the excitement surrounding the competition. The quarter-finals are underway, with notable fixtures including Arsenal vs. Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion facing Manchester City.
The quarter-final matches are key fixtures for young talents, and they are set to capture the imagination of fans across the country.
To sum up, whether you're cheering for Aston Villa or Cardiff City, or following the youth matches, the FA Cup offers thrilling encounters this season. Don't miss out on any action, whether via television or online streaming, as football fans gear up for this exciting period of competition.