Aston Villa vs Cardiff Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Fifth Round

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Aston Villa have had a season full of ups and downs as the Villains now search for the last eight of the FA Cup, welcoming Championship strugglers Cardiff City to the English second city.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 28th February, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – ESPN+

How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – ESPN+

Aston Villa vs Cardiff Prediction

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League beginning in the next midweek so they may well be distracted by that as they welcome a Cardiff City side fresh off the back of a potentially pivotal win the other day.

The Villains’ inconsistency has been frustrating throughout the campaign with an ability to raise themselves for so-called ‘bigger’ games against ‘better’ opposition, having beaten both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this month as well as sharing a draw with Liverpool but they come into this one having been hammered 4-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Cardiff City, coached by Omer Riza, come into this one having edged past fellow Championship strugglers Hull City by a goal to nil at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales on Tuesday thanks to a strike from Callum Robinson. That has helped the Bluebirds push themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places.

Villa have depth in midfield and attack so would be able to rotate and still be strong here against a team focused on remaining in the second-tier so, despite inconsistency, a home win remains most likely.

Aston Villa vs Cardiff Tip: Aston Villa to win