Fri Feb 28 21:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Aston Villa Storms into FA Cup Quarterfinals After Asensio Double
**BIRMINGHAM, England** – Aston Villa secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on Friday, booking their place in the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in a decade. New signing Marco Asensio stole the show, scoring two second-half goals to break the Welsh side’s stubborn defense.
Villa dominated possession, but Cardiff’s resolute defense held firm until Asensio’s breakthrough in the 68th minute. A clever pass from Youri Tielemans found Marcus Rashford, whose cutback allowed Asensio to slot the ball home. Asensio sealed the win with his second goal in the 80th minute, expertly guiding Leon Bailey’s cross into the net. The Spaniard, who joined Villa from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, was given a standing ovation upon his substitution.
“It was not an easy game,” Asensio told ITV after the match. “Very happy for the goals, for the win. We’re in the next round, that’s the most important.”
Despite Villa’s dominance, which included 10 shots on target compared to Cardiff’s one, Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick made several key saves, including a stunning stop to deny Marcus Rashford. Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was relatively untested until a late effort from Cardiff.
Cardiff manager Omer Riza cited squad limitations due to their ongoing Championship relegation battle as a contributing factor to the defeat. The club currently sits just three points and places above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining. The victory marks a significant step for Aston Villa, who last reached the FA Cup quarterfinals in 2015.
First Piper 