Aston Villa booked their place within the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win in opposition to Championship facet Cardiff Metropolis, due to 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 house 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Villa will now eagerly await Sunday night’s draw, which is scheduled to happen after Manchester United host Fulham at Outdated Trafford, to find who they’ll meet within the final eight.
Cardiff, nineteenth within the Championship, gave a robust account of themselves on the highway 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 world after feeling contact on his ft from Lamare Bogarde.
“I think it was a penalty,” mentioned Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane on ITV. “He caught him and has gone down.”
Nevertheless, Villa did dominate the fixture and sure 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 probabilities from point-blank vary earlier than the break.
It was removed from an ideal efficiency within the remaining 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 purpose
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane talking on ITV:
“Villa dominated in every area of the game and it was a matter of time before they scored. They probably could’ve scored a few more but Cardiff did well.
“The game became a bit open and that suited Villa. Marcus is very good at doing that [his assist]. He had a bit of luck at the end, but he needs it. A quality player walks onto it. Lovely, well-worked goal but he should be thinking about scoring a few goals himself.
“You need choices and Villa have loads of them. It is about discovering the stability.”
Rashford’s first goal is coming…
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
“Rashford is but to attain for Aston Villa but it surely appears 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 lines – Rashford looks confident and his finishing is the final piece to the puzzle.
Rashford supplied the help for Asensio’s opener
“Whether it is due to the anticipation of the crowd or the intent he is now showing on the ball, something always feels like it is just about to happen when he is charging forward.
“Most significantly, he’s doing it with a smile on his face.
“The chemistry with his new team-mates – and Asensio in particular – is growing by the day, and if the trajectory continues, making his move permanent for £40m could be one of the signings of the summer.”
Emery: Completely satisfied to progress however we all know difficulties are coming
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery talking to ITV:
“We respected the opponent and we tried to dominate. We had chances but were not clinical. After we scored the first goal we were thinking our work was going well.
Asensio celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring the opening purpose
“We are thinking for the next match. Of course, we are happy but we know the difficulties we will face. It is a way for a trophy.”
On the performances of Asensio and Rashford, Emery added: “It is important for the team and the players individually to get to their targets. Two goals, he is adapting fantastically and so is Rashford. We will need them in the next matches and Champions League.”
Riza: Villa magic modified the sport
Cardiff boss Omer Riza talking to ITV:
“I said to the lads, the shift we put in and the amount of work we put in to contain them and then showing good composure was pleasing. Those final moments when they got the two goals were bits of magic.
Cardiff Metropolis’s Perry Ng and Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen battle for the ball
“We now head into the league where the focus is, so, hopefully, we can take positives into that. I always said that the cup run is great for the club and fans. They were brilliant and sometimes they were louder than the Villa fans. It keeps momentum going and we just need to continue that for Tuesday [vs Burnley].”
Who may 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
