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.

“We needed Asensio. We were creating chances but not clinical. The second half was still difficult to beat them. We scored one goal. After that it was easier to dominate,” Emery said.

“Playing against a Championship team is not easy, trying to respect them because you can lose even if you’re better than the opponent.”

Villa last won the FA Cup in 1957 and Emery added: “We are not considered favourites to win this trophy. We are contenders but not favourites.”

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.

https://guardian.ng/sport/football/asensio-sinks-cardiff-as-villa-reach-fa-cup-quarters/