Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Preston, led by Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa, advanced his team to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in a decade. Before Jacob Ramsey completed Villa’s much-anticipated return to the final four, Rashford scored twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s tenacious resistance.
Crystal Palace, who defeated Fulham 3-0 on Saturday, will play Villa in the semi-finals at Wembley over the weekend of April 26–27. Following his January transfer window loan from Manchester United to Villa, Rashford has been rejuvenated and is starting to display the form that made him one of England’s top players before his sharp fall over the previous two years.
After arguing with former Old Trafford manager Erik ten Hag, Rashford was considered expendable by United manager Ruben Amorim due to his attitude and off-field antics. Since scoring for United against Everton on December 1, the 27-year-old had not scored.
Rashford was too lively for second-tier Preston to handle in the central striker position, which frequently seemed to undermine his confidence at United. This recent signing suggests that Rashford’s career may not be doomed to fail after all.
Rashford’s recent uprising
Rashford has profited from his transfer to Villa, an upwardly mobile team, while failing United has been enmeshed in chaos. The team led by Unai Emery has made an incredible run to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, where they will play Paris Saint-Germain in April.
They also have a remote possibility of making it to the Champions League the following season. Villa, who haven’t won the FA Cup since 1957 and lost to Arsenal in their most recent final in 2015, might have a spectacular campaign finale with Rashford.
Preston, currently ranked 14th in the Championship, was making its first appearance in the quarterfinals since 1966. The 1889 and 1938 FA Cup champions were no match for the merciless Villa, despite Paul Heckingbottom’s team having won their last 15 home games across all competitions.
David Cornell, the Preston goalie, was pushed into action by Rashford’s free-kick before Ezri Konsa’s glanced header from Marco Asensio’s cross went just wide. Stefan Thordarson missed a great chance to give Preston an unexpected lead by poking wide.
After halftime, Rashford was just as careless, firing directly at Cornell from inside the area. In the 58th minute, however, Rashford’s move was precisely timed to meet Lucas Digne’s low cross with a brilliant strike from 12 yards out, breaking the tie for Villa.
Villa went for the kill, but Cornell denied Morgan Rogers a few seconds later. And when Andrew Hughes tripped the England midfielder in the 63rd minute, Rogers was awarded Villa’s penalty.
Rashford took the initiative and delivered a fearless spot-kick that sent Cornell reeling. Eight minutes later, with a strong surge towards the Preston area and a powerful strike past Cornell for his fourth goal of the season, Ramsey put the outcome beyond doubt.
