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.
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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.
Sunderland's Luke O'Nien celebrates with the crowd at the final whistle. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Elsewhere, Sunderland stepped up their bid for promotion to the Premier League as Eliezer Mayenda sealed a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.
Mayenda scored twice against Wednesday for the second time this season and once again his goals inspired a Sunderland victory.
This one came tinged with controversy after his contentious opener helped the Black Cats move within five points of second-placed Sheffield United, who face QPR on Saturday.
Mayenda opened the scoring after 34 minutes, but Wednesday claimed the Spaniard had controlled Leo Hjelde’s long ball with his arm before his scuffed effort was deflected into the net.
Chris Mepham’s indecision gifted Wednesday their equaliser as Callum Paterson headed home three minutes after half-time.
But Mayenda’s header from a Trai Hume cross in the 71st minute ensured Sunderland returned to winning ways after successive league defeats.
The Owls’ third consecutive loss in the second tier was a major blow to their playoff aspirations.
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PSG loanee continues impressive start to life at Villa
Updated at 22.49
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.
Elsewhere, Sunderland stepped up their bid for promotion to the Premier League as Eliezer Mayenda sealed a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.
Mayenda scored twice against Wednesday for the second time this season and once again his goals inspired a Sunderland victory.
This one came tinged with controversy after his contentious opener helped the Black Cats move within five points of second-placed Sheffield United, who face QPR on Saturday.
Mayenda opened the scoring after 34 minutes, but Wednesday claimed the Spaniard had controlled Leo Hjelde’s long ball with his arm before his scuffed effort was deflected into the net.
Chris Mepham’s indecision gifted Wednesday their equaliser as Callum Paterson headed home three minutes after half-time.
But Mayenda’s header from a Trai Hume cross in the 71st minute ensured Sunderland returned to winning ways after successive league defeats.
The Owls’ third consecutive loss in the second tier was a major blow to their playoff aspirations.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
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