Aston Villa are aiming to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in a decade when they host Championship outfit Cardiff City on Friday night.
The West Midlands side haven’t made it beyond the fifth round since reaching the final in 2014/15, where they lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the showpiece event. Unai Emery’s men have an excellent opportunity to make the last eight having beaten West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur during this year’s competition.
Cardiff, who are currently 19th in the second tier, have conquered fellow Championship sides Sheffield United and Stoke City to make it this far, but will need perfection to topple the Villans. They enter the game in mediocre form, winning, drawing and losing two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Here is 90min’s guide to the clash.
Aston Villa vs Cardiff head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Aston Villa |
Cardiff |
|---|---|
|
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa – 25/02/25 |
Cardiff 1-0 Hull – 25/02/25 |
|
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea – 22/02/25 |
Plymouth 1-1 Cardiff – 22/02/25 |
|
Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool – 19/02/25 |
Cardiff 1-1 Bristol City – 15/02/25 |
|
Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich – 15/02/25 |
Portsmouth 2-1 Cardiff – 11/02/25 |
|
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham – 09/02/25 |
Stoke 3-3 (2-4p) Cardiff – 08/02/25 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, UTV |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN App |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Villa will be sweating over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he was substituted at half-time against Crystal Palace midweek after “feeling some pain”. Deputy Robin Olsen is likely to fill his shoes on Friday night.
Midfield injuries continue to cause issues for the Villans, with Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara absent for Cardiff’s visit. Ross Barkley is closing in on a return to the matchday squad but Friday could come too soon for the former Everton and Chelsea man.
Pau Torres is guaranteed to miss out at centre-back but Tyrone Mings was named among the substitutes on Tuesday despite his injury scare last weekend, meaning he could feature alongside Ezri Konsa. That’s good news considering Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi is cup-tied.
With Villa’s Champions League last 16 first leg coming on Tuesday, Emery may take the opportunity to rest some players in the cup.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Cardiff (4-2-3-1): Olsen; Garcia, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Malen, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins.
The Bluebirds will be without the injured Jak Alnwick in between the sticks, while Jesper Daland is missing in the backline. Joe Ralls, Will Alves and David Turnbull are also absent in the centre of the park, with Ollie Tanner sitting out in the forward line.
Aaron Ramsey should feature having represented Arsenal in the 2014/15 FA Cup final win over the Villans, while ex-Villa players Anwar El Ghazi and Calum Chambers will have the opportunity to return to the West Midlands.
Cardiff predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Horvath; Ng, Goutas, Fish, O’Dowda; Mannsverk, Chambers; Willock, Ramsey, El Ghazi; Robinson.
Villa’s workload has been intense over recent weeks and they have largely managed to stay afloat – although their 4-1 defeat at Selhurst Park suggests legs are tiring. However, even with alterations on Friday, they should have few issues navigating a tie with one of the Championship’s strugglers.
Omer Riza’s side have been infrequent scorers this term and have managed just 37 in 34 Championship games, while they have the joint-third worst defensive record in the division, too. They should simply be no match for the depth and quality of their Premier League opponents, especially with Villa Park acting as 12th man.
