Aston Villa booked their place within the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win in opposition to Championship facet Cardiff Metropolis, because of Marco Asensio’s double within the second half.
Cardiff pissed off Villa all through the primary hour of the sport, with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath making seven saves earlier than Marcus Rashford and Asensio linked up for a 3rd time since their January arrival to interrupt the impasse.
Asensio swept residence Rashford’s cut-back within the 68th minute to open the scoring and netted his second of the evening 12 minutes later (80) to make sure Unai Emery’s males progressed into the following spherical.
Villa will now eagerly await Sunday night’s draw, which is scheduled to happen after Manchester United host Fulham at Outdated Trafford, to find who they are going to meet within the final eight.
- How the groups lined up | Match stats
- Aston Villa information | FA Cup fixtures & outcomes
- Get Sky Sports activities on WhatsApp | Obtain the Sky Sports activities app
Cardiff, nineteenth within the Championship, gave a powerful account of themselves on the street and would possibly really feel unfortunate to haven’t been awarded a penalty simply earlier than the break when Perry Ng went down inside the realm after feeling contact on his toes from Lamare Bogarde.
“I believe it was a penalty,” mentioned Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane on ITV. “He caught him and has gone down.”
Nonetheless, Villa did dominate the fixture and certain ought to have been main lengthy earlier than their opener, with Ollie Watkins and Rashford, who’s but to attain in claret and blue, squandering possibilities from point-blank vary earlier than the break.
It was removed from an ideal efficiency within the ultimate third from Villa however, after Tuesday’s 4-1 drubbing at Crystal Palace, rising with victory was the precedence. As for Cardiff, full consideration will now shift to extending their six-point hole on the underside three within the Championship to make sure their survival.
Keane: Villa dominated however Rashford wants a objective
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane talking on ITV:
“Villa dominated in each space of the sport and it was a matter of time earlier than they scored. They most likely might’ve scored a couple of extra however Cardiff did effectively.
Rashford reacts after lacking a first-half probability for Villa
“The sport grew to become a bit open and that suited Villa. Marcus is excellent at doing that [his assist]. He had a little bit of luck on the finish, however he wants it. A top quality participant walks onto it. Beautiful, well-worked objective however he must be serious about scoring a couple of objectives himself.
“You need choices and Villa have loads of them. It is about discovering the steadiness.”
Rashford’s first objective is coming…
Sky Sports activities’ Patrick Rowe:
“Rashford is but to attain for Aston Villa however it seems like it’s only a matter of time earlier than he opens his tally.
“Driving at defenders, facilitating his team-mates and wreaking havoc behind the strains – Rashford seems assured and his ending is the ultimate piece to the puzzle.
Rashford supplied the help for Asensio’s opener
“Whether or not it’s because of the anticipation of the gang or the intent he’s now exhibiting on the ball, one thing at all times seems like it’s nearly to occur when he’s charging ahead.
“Most significantly, he’s doing it with a smile on his face.
“The chemistry together with his new team-mates – and Asensio particularly – is rising by the day, and if the trajectory continues, making his transfer everlasting for £40m could possibly be one of many signings of the summer time.”
Emery: Joyful to progress however we all know difficulties are coming
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery talking to ITV:
“We revered the opponent and we tried to dominate. We had possibilities however weren’t scientific. After we scored the primary objective we have been considering our work was going effectively.
Asensio celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring the opening objective
“We’re considering for the following match. In fact, we’re glad however we all know the difficulties we are going to face. It’s a manner for a trophy.”
On the performances of Asensio and Rashford, Emery added: “It can be crucial for the workforce and the gamers individually to get to their targets. Two objectives, he’s adapting fantastically and so is Rashford. We are going to want them within the subsequent matches and Champions League.”
Riza: Villa magic modified the sport
Cardiff boss Omer Riza talking to ITV:
“I mentioned to the lads, the shift we put in and the quantity of labor we put in to include them after which exhibiting good composure was pleasing. These ultimate moments after they bought the 2 objectives have been bits of magic.
Cardiff Metropolis’s Perry Ng and Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen battle for the ball
“We now head into the league the place the main focus is, so, hopefully, we are able to take positives into that. I at all times mentioned that the cup run is nice for the membership and followers. They have been sensible and typically they have been louder than the Villa followers. It retains momentum going and we simply must proceed that for Tuesday [vs Burnley].”
Who might Villa face?
Remaining FA Cup fixtures:
- Bournemouth vs Wolves
- Crystal Palace vs Millwall
- Man Metropolis vs Plymouth
- Man Utd vs Fulham
- Newcastle vs Brighton
- Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich
- Preston vs Burnley
What’s developing?
- Aston Villa fixtures
- Cardiff fixtures
- FA Cup fixtures & outcomes