Cardiff City are out of the FA Cup, but their confident, courageous display as Aston Villa has given manager Omer Riza plenty to work on.

Wrexham are still on course for a third promotion on the bounce, but their next opponents are Bolton who know more than most about their rivals’ boss, Phil Parkinson.

Cardiff City travel to meet Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night, two clubs most associated with the brilliant Peter Whittingham.

It’s the first final of the Welsh domestic football season and there are no prizes for guessing who will be favourites to lift the trophy.

Swansea City have sacked Luke Williams after seven losses in nine games, leaving them with a looming relegation fight. With the club in crisis, who will take charge next?

Omer Riza accused his Cardiff City players of lacking of bravery after they lost 2-1 at fellow Championship strugglers Portsmouth. The result leaves the Bluebirds still in a relegation dogfight, just two points above the drop zone and still with just one away win all season in the league.

Cardiff City’s FA Cup journey will continue against Premier League opposition after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Stoke City was rewarded in the draw by a fifth-round clash away to Aston Villa. The Bluebirds, currently battling to pull further away from the relegation scrap in the Championship, held their nerve at the Bet365 Stadium in a thrilling contest that ended 3-3 after extra time, with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath emerging as the hero.

Luke Williams believes Swansea City have drawn a line in the sand after they gained their first victory of 2025. Josh Tymon’s second-half strike was enough to give the Swans a 1-0 Championship victory over Bristol City in a full-blooded Anglo-Welsh battle at Ashton Gate.

Omer Riza praised Rubin Colwill after Cardiff City banished the ghost of FA Cups past with a 4-2 win over Stoke to reach the fifth round for the first time in 11 years. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath and midfielder Colwill were the heroes after an enthralling cup tie, which ended 3-3 after 120 minutes. The Bluebirds made it fourth time lucky at the bet365 Stadium as they finally got one over the Potters in the competition.

Omer Riza insists Cardiff City will give the FA Cup their full respect and attention when they visit Stoke City on Saturday. The Bluebirds manager is unlikely to be judged on the length of any Cup run when owner Vincent Tan makes a call at the end of the season as to whether Riza stays in charge or not.

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim was a relieved man after his side took a vital step towards securing their League Two status. The County boss was content with a tense 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Morecambe at Rodney Parade.

Luke Williams insists new signing Lewis O’Brien can help fill the Matt Grimes-sized hole in Swansea City’s midfield. Swans head coach Williams had talked enthusiastically about bringing in a raft of players at the start of the January transfer window.

Omer Riza believes new loan signing Will Alves can fill a missing piece in his team’s armoury. The Bluebirds completed a busy transfer window by securing the loan signing of Leicester City forward Alves until the end of the season.

Swansea City are working to finalise loan deals for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien and Manchester City prospect Jacob Wright ahead of Monday night’s transfer deadline. O’Brien has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Swans, who appear to have overcome interest from Preston North End, Luton Town, and Derby County.

Omer Riza is hoping the return of Aaron Ramsey can offer a chink of light for Cardiff City after a dark weekend left the manager needing to apologise to fans. Amid the gloom of a 7-0 thrashing at Leeds United – which required a humbling “sorry about that” to travelling Bluebirds supporters – was the boost of Ramsey playing 45 minutes for Cardiff’s Under-21s in a 3-2 victory over Everton in the Premier League Cup.

Blue Monday is supposedly the saddest day of the year, but not if you are a Swansea City fan. For them it’s not just the third Monday each January – when Christmas bills hit the doormat and the weather is still grim – that brings on the gloom.

Swansea City captain Matt Grimes is reportedly due to have a medical at Coventry City on Thursday, with a view to completing a move suggested to be worth £3m to £4m. The switch will be a huge blow to Swans supporters and further evidence the January transfer window is like kryptonite to the club every year – draining their strength and self-belief.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson accused his team of lacking “fight and determination” in their 3-2 defeat at home to Stevenage. The hosts had gone 22 matches unbeaten on their own turf before this encounter, with their previous loss dating back to March against Tranmere.

Cardiff City boss Omer Riza believes new loan signing Sivert Mannsverk will provoke a rise in standards among his squad. Norwegian midfielder Mannsverk, 22, has become Cardiff’s second capture of the January transfer window after moving from Ajax. The move is a chance for the Norway U21 international to gain some much-needed game time after an injury-plagued first half of the season.

Luke Williams has claimed Swansea City’s fans are starting to feel sick of the sight of him. The Swans head coach cut a dejected figure after his side’s disastrous 5-1 defeat at Norwich City, a result that extended their miserable run of form and left their travelling supporters deeply frustrated.