Marcus Rashford reacts to Marco Asensio message after Aston Villa win v Cardiff
Marcus Rashford has responded to Aston Villa team mate Marco Asensio’s message following their 2-0 victory in the FA Cup over Championship side Cardiff.
Villa, who face Club Brugge in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, proved how much of an attractive destination they have become for top players when they signed Rashford and Asensio on loan from Manchester United and PSG respectively during the January transfer window.
The recent arrival of the duo has already had a positive impact at Villa Park, as Rashford created the assists for both of Asensio’s goals during a 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea last month.
However, Unai Emery’s men went on to suffer a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last Tuesday, courtesy of an Ismaila Sarr brace and further strikes from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah.
Rashford reacts as Asensio shares FA Cup delight on Instagram
As seen during Villa’s Premier League win over Chelsea, Rashford and Asensio combined to devastating effect once more on Friday, when their side defeated Championship outfit Cardiff in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
| Aston Villa’s last four results | Competition |
| Liverpool 2-2 D | Premier League |
| Chelsea 2-1 W | Premier League |
| Crystal Palace 4-1 L | Premier League |
| Cardiff City 2-0 W | FA Cup |
The Bluebirds managed to keep Emery’s men at bay throughout the first half, but by the 68th minute, Rashford teed up Asensio who duly obliged and tapped the ball home.
The Spaniard later doubled Villa’s advantage to seal a 2-0 win, although Ollie Watkins was the assist-maker on this occasion.
Asensio shared how pleased he was to have helped his side progress in the FA Cup via Instagram, posting: “Onto the next round.”
His new teammate Rashford expressed his delight towards his teammate by commenting with two flame emojis.
Villa await their best route to silverware
After finishing in a Champions League spot last term, Villa have re-established their seat at the top table of European football and are now a real domestic force to be reckoned with too.
But after witnessing their side finish in the top four just last season, the Villa Park faithful will now be desperate to see their side lift their first major trophy since their European Cup triumph all the way back in 1982.
This season’s FA Cup campaign surely presents Emery and co with their best opportunity to do so, given the fact that Premier League leaders Liverpool, as well as North London giants Arsenal, have both been knocked out of the competition already.
Meanwhile, Chelsea were defeated by Brighton in the fourth round last month.
Manchester United and Manchester City, who are both in FA Cup action this weekend, can be seen as the biggest threats towards Villa’s hopes of clinching glory at Wembley come the end of the season.
Villa will find out who their quarter-final opponents are when the draw is made on Sunday.