ASTON VILLA 2-0 CARDIFF – REPORT

Aston Villa moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in ten years, as they avoided a potential banana skin by beating Championship outfit Cardiff 2-0 in the fifth round.

The hosts were much more comfortable than their opponents from the first whistle, barely allowing the Bluebirds – who defended stoutly – a touch of the ball.

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was called into several saves before the break, denying Marcus Rashford and John McGinn with straightforward stops, before superbly tipping a Leon Bailey piledriver over the bar.

Ollie Watkins came close too, although he was also thwarted by the American, who stood tall and blocked with his shoulder from point-blank range.

After the break, Rashford had a fizzing strike from distance palmed around the post, while a rare attack from the Bluebirds resulted in substitute Yousef Salech testing Emiliano Martinez.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 68th minute when Marco Asensio clinically and coolly converted from a Rashford pull-back.

The man on loan from PSG then put the game to bed with what proved to be his final touch, this time expertly finding the bottom corner from near the penalty spot to round off a comprehensive success for Unai Emery’s men.