LONDON (AFP) – Marco Asensio fired Aston Villa into the FA Cup quarter-finals as the Spanish forward struck twice in a 2-0 win against Cardiff.
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.
