Aston Villa vs Cardiff – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Aston Villa host Cardiff City as the FA Cup’s fifth round gets underway this evening.

Unai Emery is aiming for silverware in his second full season at the helm, following encouraging progress at Villa Park. The Villans have reached round five of the FA Cup for the first time in a decade.

Villa will be without Amadou Onana, Boucacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Pau Torres for the clash, while Emi Martinez is a doubt after his withdrawal at Crystal Palace in midweek.

Cardiff arrive in the Midlands having lost just two of their last 12 in the league. However, the Championship side are 19th in the second tier after an up-and-down campaign. The South Wales side are into round five for the first time since 2013/14.

Aston Villa vs Cardiff – Match preview and team news

Form

Aston Villa: WDDWL

Aston Villa are aiming to bounce back from a heavy 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in midweek. Unai Emery’s side were second-best in the capital during a disappointing display that dented hopes of Champions League qualification.

That performance followed encouraging results against Liverpool and Chelsea, with Villa having struggled for consistency in the Premier League. They’ve impressed in this competition, however, eliminating Premier League opponents in West Ham and Spurs.

However, Emery could have one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge, as Villa take on the Belgian side in the Round of 16.

Cardiff: WLDDW

Omer Riza was handed the permanent job at Cardiff in December, after replacing Erol Bulut on an interim basis. Results have steadily improved with Cardiff having lost just twice in the Championship across their last 12 fixtures. Few will be relaxing, however, with only six points separating The Bluebirds from the relegation places.

Aston Villa academy graduate Callum Robinson has led the charge with 12 league goals. Ex-Villa players Calum Chambers and Anwar El Ghazi are also part of the Cardiff contingent.

Last Meeting

Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff City, 10th April 2018, Championship

Jack Grealish scored the only goal of the game with a brilliant volley as the promotion rivals clashed at Villa Park. Grealish’s 20-yard strike settled the contest and saw Villa close the gap on the automatic promotion places.

Cardiff were second in the table at kick-off but dropped to third after defeat. However, the Bluebirds secured promotion to the Premier League with a runners-up finish to Wolves. Villa suffered heartbreak after a play-off final defeat to Fulham.

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa: Olsen; Garcia, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Asensio, Rashford; Malen.]

Cardiff: Horvath; Ng, Goutas, Fish; Rinomhota, Mannsverk, Ramsey, O’Dowda; El Ghazi, Robinson; Salech.

Who is the referee?

Peter Bankes.

What TV channel is Aston Villa vs Cardiff City?

Aston Villa vs Cardiff will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Villa Park is 20:00 GMT, on Friday February 28th 2025.

Aston Villa vs Cardiff Match Odds

Aston Villa – 1/6

Draw – 11/2

Cardiff – 18/1

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