CARDIFF HOPE FOR FA CUP MAGIC

Cardiff City are back on the road as they travel to face Unai Emery's Aston Villa in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.

The Opposition:

Aston Villa have had a crazy rise over the last few years now finding themselves in the Champions League, where they sit 8th at the moment. Villa sit 10th in the Premier League after a strong first half of the season.

Emery has tended to favour a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation, with a heavy focus on attacking with central numbers and combinations. This usually means multiple players moving inside from wide. Emery's teams typically adopt high defensive lines in an attempt to defend away from goal. They emphasise an aggressive press and minimising spaces between the lines. If a high defensive line is impractical, or an opponent has passed the high pressure, Emery will organise his players into a mid-block.

Aston Villa are looking to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time since their FA Cup final season in 2015.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a key victory against Hull. Callum Robinson's second half strike was enough to help Cardiff move further away from the relegation places.

It's likely Cardiff will sit in a low block and try and absorb the pressure and hit Villa on the counterattack, and will have to be clinical if they wish to have any chance in this one.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Dimitrios Goutas back available. Jak Alnwick, David Turnbull, Jesper Daland, Ollie Tanner and Ronan Kpakio remain out.

Aston Villa - Emi Martinez, Ross Barkley and Matty Cash doubts for the hosts. Pau Torres, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara remain out.

Preferred XI:

GK - Ethan Horvath

RB - Perry Ng

RCB - Dimitrios Goutas

LCB - Will Fish

LB - Joel Bagan

RDM - Sivert Mannsverk

LDM - Aaron Ramsey

CAM - Rubin Colwill