Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
Key events
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
12 mins: Aston Villa tries to execute a planned play, intending to create an opportunity, but a Cardiff player intercepts the pass, clearing it from danger.
Share
11 mins: Marcus Rashford makes a strong run to the byline, attempting to deliver a cross, but it gets blocked and results in a corner kick.
Share
9 mins: Ethan Horvath records his first save of the evening, easily handling a long-range free-kick from Rashford.
Marcus Rashford takes aim. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.13 CET
6 mins: A promising cross from the left flank nearly finds its target, but Bailey fails to connect at the far post.
Share
5 mins: Cardiff adopts a compact 5-4-1 formation when defending, creating two lines of players just outside their penalty area, compelling Villa to navigate through tightly-knit defenses.
Share
3 mins: The ball falls to Bailey in the penalty area, where he showcases an impressive 360-degree spin, although it does not produce a significant outcome.
Share
2 mins: Perry Ng takes considerable time to execute a throw-in, which ultimately bounces off a teammate before going out of play.
Share
1 min: The match begins, with Cardiff kicking off.
Share
The players have left the tunnel. They are on the pitch, with Cardiff gathered in a huddle while Villa opts for a more straightforward approach. The match is about to start!
Share
The players are still in the tunnel, where the referee is discussing the rules with the team captains.
Share
Aaron Ramsey, back from a hamstring injury and captaining Cardiff, expressed excitement about the match: “It’s a fantastic competition, and we are eager for the challenge. We understand the difficulties ahead, but we hope to have a memorable FA Cup night.”
Share
“Our aim is to compete as thoroughly as possible in this game,” stated Cardiff’s manager Omer Riza, who has included 19-year-old defender Dylan Lawlor for his debut. “Villa has fielded a strong team, so it should be an interesting match. In the FA Cup, surprises can happen. If we perform well, anything is possible. This is a great opportunity for character development.”
Share
As reported by the Guardian earlier in the month, the FA Cup is entering a new phase with the testing of semi-automated offside technology starting from the fifth round, and this match marks the first to implement it in the country.
Share
Team news
Team announcements are in, with Emi Martinez declared fit to play in an otherwise strong Aston Villa lineup:
Aston Villa: Martinez, Garcia, Konsa, Bogarde, Maatsen, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey, Asensio, Rashford, Watkins. Subs: Olsen, Digne, Rogers, Ramsey, Kamara, Rowe, Zych, Jimoh.
Cardiff: Horvath, Fish, Goutas, Lawlor, Ng, Ramsey, Colwill, Giles, El Ghazi, Willock, Robinson. Subs: Turner, O’Dowda, Mannsverk, Robertson, Salech, Bagan, Davies, Ashford, Nyakuhwa.
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Share
Updated at 20.18 CET
Hello world!
In a pre-match statement, Villa manager Unai Emery downplayed his team’s chances in the FA Cup, saying, “We are not genuine contenders for the title. Other teams have more resources and better chances to win this competition.”
These remarks could easily lead fans to lower their expectations. However, Cardiff’s manager Omer Riza offered an alternate perspective regarding his team, which is currently navigating a tough season in the Championship:
“I want to field my strongest team for the match, but with our priority being survival in the league, we are forced to make tough choices,” Riza noted. “If we were in a more comfortable league position, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it my all in the Cup. It’s frustrating not to have our full squad available, but we are not going to simply concede the match.”
The matchup thus features a team unenthusiastic about the tournament facing another which feels similarly restrained. This irony might resonate with fans looking for an engaging contest after a demanding week.
Nevertheless, Emery’s perspective may be overly cautious. The absence of teams considered top contenders for the Cup leaves the door wide open; Villa could very well emerge as serious contenders.
Current injury concerns complicate matters for Villa. “Matty Cash is close to returning, and there are uncertainties surrounding Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Martinez, Ross Barkley, and Boubacar Kamara. All are nearing recovery, though Malen is currently sidelined due to illness,” Emery stated, hinting at the potential variability in their lineup’s strength.
While there are obstacles ahead, the unpredictable nature of football suggests that the match could still yield exciting moments.
Share
Source
www.theguardian.com