Aston Villa look to continue their FA Cup journey as they face Cardiff City in the fifth round. With a strong home record and a talented squad, Unai Emery’s side will aim to dominate against their Championship opponents. Meanwhile, Cardiff hope to defy the odds and pull off a major upset at Villa Park.
Key Match Insights
- Aston Villa have won their last seven consecutive matches against Cardiff across all competitions.
- Cardiff are winless in their last 15 meetings with Villa, a streak dating back decades.
- Morgan Rogers has been instrumental in Villa’s FA Cup success this season, contributing to three of their four goals (2 goals, 1 assist).
- Cardiff are competing in the fifth round for the first time since 2013-14, but history shows they’ve been eliminated at this stage in nine of their last eleven attempts.
Villa’s Pursuit of FA Cup Glory
For the first time in a decade, Aston Villa have reached the FA Cup fifth round, a sign of their steady progress under Unai Emery. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the previous round secured their place in this fixture, with Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers delivering decisive moments. The last time Villa advanced beyond this stage, they made it all the way to the final in 2014-15 before falling to Arsenal.
This year’s competition presents an opportunity for Villa to push further, especially with major teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham already eliminated. January signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio add further strength to an already formidable squad, giving Emery the depth needed for a serious cup run.
Morgan Rogers: Villa’s Emerging FA Cup Star
One of Villa’s standout players this season has been Morgan Rogers. The young attacker has shown impressive form in the FA Cup, scoring against both West Ham and Tottenham while also registering an assist. His creativity and dribbling ability make him a key figure in Villa’s attacking play. He recently found the net in a tough Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, though Villa ultimately suffered a 4-1 defeat.
Cardiff’s Challenge at Villa Park
Cardiff City enter this match as underdogs, but they have a history of deep FA Cup runs, having reached the final twice in their history (1926-27 and 2007-08). However, their record against Premier League sides in this competition is less encouraging. When playing outside the top flight, Cardiff have been eliminated in their last eight FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents.
Despite their struggles, Omer Riza’s men come into this match on a high note after securing a crucial 1-0 Championship victory over Hull City. Callum Robinson’s deflected goal proved the difference, but Cardiff still face a tough battle to stay clear of the relegation zone. With several key players missing, including Dimitrios Goutas and Jesper Daland, the Bluebirds will need a near-perfect performance to trouble Villa.
Head-to-Head Record
The history between these two sides heavily favors Aston Villa. Cardiff have not won at Villa Park since 1954, and Villa have dominated their recent meetings, winning the last seven encounters. Their most recent competitive clash saw Villa claim a 1-0 win in April 2018, with Jack Grealish scoring the decisive goal.
Match Prediction
Aston Villa enter this fixture as overwhelming favorites. According to statistical models, they have an 83.5% probability of winning, while Cardiff’s chances stand at just 6.1%, with a draw at 10.3%. Villa’s superior squad depth and home advantage make them strong contenders to advance to the quarter-finals.
Expect Villa to control possession and create numerous goal-scoring opportunities. If Cardiff can stay compact defensively and capitalize on counter-attacks, they might have a slim chance of forcing extra time. However, based on current form and squad quality, Villa should progress comfortably.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Cardiff City
