Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE: Marcus Rashford scores first goals as Villa reach FA Cup semi-finals

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The Independent

·30 March 2025

Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE: Marcus Rashford scores first goals as Villa reach FA Cup semi-finals

Rashford celebrates his first goals for Villa as they reached the semi-finals (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Aston Villa as they cruised to victory at Preston North End to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

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Rashford had made an excellent impression since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United but had gone nine games without a goal for Unai Emery’s side.

But he struck twice in three minutes to send Villa to Wembley, where they will face Crystal Palace, first finishing off a swift move and then converting a penalty after Morgan Rogers was fouled in the box.

Preston, who were the only Championship team to reach the quarter-finals, offered little in the second half and Jacob Ramsey made it three.

It continues Villa’s strong season in the cups and they will have an FA Cup semi-final against Palace to look forward to, as well as their Champions League quarter-final against PSG.

Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE

Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa renaissance still needs work - but FA Cup offers historic opportunity

Marcus Rashford had come from Wembley and now he is heading back there. His renaissance had included a pair of outings for England, Thomas Tuchel ending his international exile, and now he has powered Aston Villa to the national stadium. An FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace beckons for a club who have not won the competition since 1957. Rashford’s time at Villa Park may only last a few months, and no decision has been made whether to activate the £40m clause to sign him permanently, but it has the potential to prove historic.