When is the Aston Villa vs Cardiff City match and how to watch it? FA Cup broadcast

The Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City match can be watched on ESPN+ Plus on Friday, February 28, at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT. From Villa Park, Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, will aim to advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals, while Cardiff City, under Omer Riza, seeks an upset against their Premier League opponents.

Match Preview: Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City

As the FA Cup reaches its Round of 16, Aston Villa hosts Cardiff City in what looks like a David vs. Goliath matchup. The home team enters as a clear favorite, with strong Premier League form, while Cardiff, from the Championship, hopes to pull off a surprise.

Villa has been solid at home, with key players like Ollie Watkins and John McGinn leading their attack. Cardiff, despite being the underdog, will rely on their defensive discipline and counterattacks to challenge their Premier League opponents.

Recent Performances

Aston Villa's Recent Matches

Aston Villa has had mixed results in their last three matches. They suffered a 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace, showing some defensive vulnerabilities. However, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Chelsea in a tight encounter. Their 2-2 draw against Liverpool demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams.

Cardiff City's Recent Matches

Cardiff has been resilient in recent weeks. They secured a 1-0 win over Hull City in the Championship, followed by a 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle. Their 1-1 draw with Bristol City kept them in contention for a playoff push, but they face a tough challenge against Villa.

Potential Lineups

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Damian Martinez
• Defenders: Andres Garcia Robledo, Ezri Konsa, Axel Disasi, Lucas Digne
• Midfielders: Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans
• Attackers: Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Jack Ramsey
• Striker: Ollie Watkins

Cardiff City (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Ethan Horvath
• Defenders: Perry Ng, Calum Chambers, Will Fish, Callum O'Dowda
• Midfielders: Andy Rinomhota, Sivert Mannsverk
• Attackers: Cian Ashford, Christopher Willock, Callum Robinson
• Striker: Yousef Salech

Predictions and Betting Odds

Aston Villa enters as the clear favorite, given their Premier League experience and attacking firepower. Cardiff, though an underdog, has shown resilience in cup competitions.

• Aston Villa Win: -560
• Draw: +650
• Cardiff City Win: +1500

This match is expected to be dominated by Villa, but Cardiff could create problems if they defend well.

Match Details

• Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT)
• Tournament: FA Cup – Round of 16
• Stadium: Villa Park, Birmingham, England

Where to Watch Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City Live?

Fans can watch the Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City match live on ESPN+ Plus this Friday, February 28, starting at 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT).