LONDON:
Premier League Crystal Palace beat second-tier Millwall 3-1 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday but the win was marred by an injury to in-form forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The 27-year-old Frenchman was struck on the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the early stages at Selhurst Park and needed oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital, suffering from concussion.
Roberts was shown a red card, following a VAR review, after coming off his line to clear a long ball and catching the on-rushing Mateta in the head with his raised studs.
An own goal by defender Japhet Tanganga in the 33rd minute and a close-range effort by Daniel Munoz put Palace in command but 10-man Millwall hit back before halftime through Wes Harding and pushed Palace hard in the second period.
Eddie Nketiah, who had replaced Mateta, sealed Palace’s progress in the 81st minute with a looping header.
Asensio sinks Cardiff as Villa reach FA Cup quarters
Marco Asensio fired Aston Villa into the FA Cup quarter-finals as the Spanish forward struck twice in a 2-0 win against Cardiff on Friday.
Unai Emery’s side were held at bay by the gritty Championship outfit until deep into the second half of the last-16 clash at Villa Park.
Asensio’s double ensured Villa advanced to the last eight for the first time since their run to the final in 2015.
The 29-year-old has four goals in six games for Villa since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window.
It was a welcome victory for Villa, who were thrashed 4-1 at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday.
“We needed Asensio. We were creating chances but not clinical. The second half was still difficult to beat them. We scored one goal. After that it was easier to dominate,” Emery said.
“Playing against a Championship team is not easy, trying to respect them because you can lose even if you’re better than the opponent.”
Villa last won the FA Cup in 1957 and Emery added: “We are not considered favourites to win this trophy. We are contenders but not favourites.”
Despite the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Club Brugge looming on Tuesday, Emery opted to pick a strong team against the Bluebirds.
Teetering just six points above the Championship relegation zone, Cardiff boss Omar Riza took the opposite approach, as he selected a weakened team to prioritise their survival battle.
Cardiff last won at Villa Park in 1954 and the Welsh side never looked like ending that futile streak.
Marcus Rashford’s snap-shot and John McGinn’s curler from distance were both well saved by Cardiff keeper Ethan Horvath in the opening stages.
Ollie Watkins should have put Villa ahead but the England striker poked wide after racing into the penalty area.
Emery’s men monopolised possession to such an extent that Cardiff fans sarcastically chanted “we’ve got the ball” when they finally stemmed the tide of Villa attacks for a moment.
Villa were swiftly back in ascendency and Leon Bailey’s fierce blast was tipped over by Horvath.
Rashford wasted a golden opportunity to end Cardiff’s resistence, scuffing Bailey’s cross over from close-range.
Watkins was equally profligate, volleying straight at Horvath from Rashford’s header.
The over-worked Horvath saved McGinn’s strike from the edge of the area, then plunged to claw away Rashford’s 20-yard drive as Villa maintained their assault in the second half.