Marco Asensio brace guides Aston Villa into FA Cup quarter-finals

Marco Asensio's second-half double sent Aston Villa through to their first FA Cup quarter-final in 10 years after a 2-0 win over Championship strugglers Cardiff.

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After being frustrated for 68 minutes, the on-loan Paris St. Germain midfielder broke the deadlock from a Marcus Rashford assist before killing the game 10 minutes from time.

Boss Unai Emery said his side are not contenders for the competition before the game, but with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea already out, they are one of the strongest teams left.

They are into the last eight for the first time since 2014/15 season when they reached the final and that surely is a big target again.

Asensio could be the man to help them as he has proved a real hit since his January move, with his fourth goal in three games, with Manchester United loanee Rashford setting up three of them.

Rashford’s pursuit of his first goal continues as he was denied on several occasions, but his growing contribution will be a big boost for Villa ahead of next week’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Club Brugge.

This might have been the fifth game in 14 days for Villa, but Emery named a strong side with Rashford, Ollie Watkins and Asensio all starting.

Cardiff boss Omer Riza openly said before the game that he would prioritise upcoming league fixtures in their bid for second-tier survival and he made several changes, including handing a first start for 19-year-old Dylan Lawlor.

It was no surprise that Villa were dominant from the off, but they had to wait until the 17th minute until their first big chance.

Asensio threaded a needle to play in Watkins, but the England man’s shot was flicked wide of the post by Cardiff goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

Leon Bailey then stung the