Peter Whittingham Memorial Match | Cardiff City 3-1 Aston Villa
Cardiff City recorded a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Cardiff City Stadium in Bluebirds legend Peter Whittingham’s Memorial Match.
Ollie Tanner’s first-half strike, along with Kion Etete’s shrewd brace in the second period gave City the victory, with Jacob Ramsey netting for the visitors
With an attendance of 10,027, proceeds from an emotional night at CCS supported the newly established PW7 Foundation.
Founded in 2021 by trustees and Peter’s close family members: his wife Amanda, brother James, sister Rachel and mother Sally, it serves as a lasting legacy to our iconic number seven.
The foundation supports three key causes in the Cardiff City FC Foundation, Winston’s Wish and King Henry VIII Senior School.
With seven minutes on the clock, City and Aston Villa supporters joined in a poignant minute of applause to remember a Bluebirds legend.
In a competitive first-half, the Bluebirds pushed forward with an intricate move between Etete, Gavin Whyte and Andy Rinomhota, with the latter’s cross from the right collected by goalkeeper Filip Marschall. The visitors also created a chance through Emiliano Buendía, who struck over the woodwork from inside the box.
City responded well, as summer signing Tanner delivered a brilliant ball into the box, which just evaded striker Etete. Tanner was again involved, as the Bluebirds took the lead in the 40th minute, with the winger driving forward on the left and striking powerfully into the bottom corner.
Shortly before the break, Villa went close through an Ollie Watkins header, which goalkeeper Ryan Allsop saved to send City into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
The Bluebirds made a great start to the second period and doubled their lead in the 54th minute, as substitute Niels Nkounkou crossed low for striker Etete to turn the ball into the bottom corner. Villa responded four minutes later, as Douglas Luiz’s corner deflected in off substitute Ramsey.
City went close to restoring the two-goal lead through Etete, who brought the ball down well and looked to lift the ball over Marschall, with his effort dropping just wide. Manager Mark Hudson introduced academy talents James Crole, Caleb Hughes, Joel Colwill and Morgan Wigley in the second period, after making an impression so far this season.
Wigley made an instant impact, crossing well from the left for Etete to head home for his second goal in the 73rd minute. Left-back Nkounkou almost added another, cutting inside and forcing Marschall into a save, with the Bluebirds putting in a positive performance.
With proceeds on the night going to the PW7 Foundation, City marked the occasion with victory.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3–1 ASTON VILLA
Cardiff City: Allsop (Alnwick 46’), Romeo (Campbell 46’), Kipré (Simpson (46’), Ng (Nelson 46’), Bagan (Nkounkou 46’), Wintle © (Crole 62’), Rinomhota (Sang 62’), Sawyers (J Colwill 62’), Whyte (Hughes 71’), Tanner (Wigley 71’), Etete.
Aston Villa: Marschall, Mings (Konsa 46’), Buendía (Ramsey 46’), Watkins (Ings 46’), Chambers (Feeney 67’), A Young © (Bogarde 46’), Nakamba (Young 67’), Archer (Bailey 46’), Kamara (Luiz 46’), Revan (Digne 46’), O’Reilly (Raikhy 46’). Subs not used: Zych.
