Aston Villa vs Cardiff Tips - Aston Villa too good at home in FA Cup

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 27 Feb 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 27 Feb 2025

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Aston Villa can edge past Cardiff at home in the FA Cup.
Expect a high-scoring game with over 2.5 goals and BTTS.
Villa boasts an unbeaten home streak; Cardiff optimistic after recent win.

Expired

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa in action (Photo by Getty Images)

Aston Villa vs Cardiff Preview

I am backing a high-scoring game with Aston Villa as winners.

Aston Villa vs Cardiff Preview
Head to Head
Aston Villa Form
Aston Villa Team News
Cardiff Form
Cardiff Team News

Aston Villa won 8 of their last 12 home matches
Aston Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 10 home matches
Aston Villa have seen BTTS in their last 10 home matches
Cardiff have seen BTTS in 10 of their last 12 away matches
Cardiff lost 2 of their last 4 away matches
Cardiff have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 away matches

Head to Head

Aston Villa and Cardiff have met seven times over the past 25 years. Aston Villa won all four previous meetings at Villa Park, while Cardiff claimed a pair of Championship victories in Wales eight years ago.

Aston Villa Form

Aston Villa's four-game unbeaten stretch was halted against Crystal Place on Wednesday as the Villains slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Selhurst Park. Unai Emery's men have now lost each of their last three away fixtures.

A tougher proposition at Villa Park, the Villains are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in Birmingham. (W8, D7).

Despite their impressive home form, Emery's side have proven defensively vulnerable. Villa failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last ten home fixtures.

Aston Villa Team News

Head coach Emery has a handful of injury issues this week. Pau Torres, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana will miss out on Friday, while Emi Martinez will be assessed after he was withdrawn in the 4-1 defeat at Palace.

On-loan forward duo Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are in contention for a recall to the first XI.

Cardiff Form

Cardiff warmed up for Friday's FA Cup clash with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Hull earlier this week. Callum Robinson's 12th goal of the campaign secured a first win in four for the Bluebirds.

Omer Riza's side have been in decent form since the turn of the year. Cardiff won six and lost only two of 14 games played over the past couple of months.

On the road, the Championship outfit are usually worth a goal, having scored at least once in 11 of their last 12 away fixtures.

Cardiff Team News

Cardiff boss Riza has several injuries to deal with ahead of the trip to Birmingham. Jak Alnwick, Ollie Tanner, Will Alves, David Turnbull, Jasper Daland and Joe Ralls are all likely to remain unavailable this weekend.

Former Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi is set to feature in the Cardiff forward line.