Preston vs Aston Villa FA Cup Report

Scorers: Rashford 58’, 63’ (P), Ramsey 71’

Aston Villa booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Preston North End, ending the hosts’ impressive 15-match unbeaten home run across all competitions.

While the scoreline was harsh on the Lilywhites, Villa’s clinical second-half performance ensured they progressed to the last four of the competition for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

Stalemate First Half Offers Glimpses but No Breakthrough

Despite their status as underdogs, Preston North End started brightly in their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 59 years, pushing Villa in a competitive opening half.

The Villans, playing in their first last-eight tie in nearly a decade, had the first sight of goal when Ezri Konsa narrowly mistimed his jump to meet Marco Asensio’s inviting cross.

Lucas Digne tried his luck from a pair of set-pieces that came to nothing, while Preston carved out the best chance of the half when Robbie Brady’s cross was parried into the path of Mads Frøkjær-Jensen, who set up Stefán Teitur Þórðarson, but the midfielder headed over from close range.

Villa’s frustrations were epitomised by another mistimed header from Konsa, as Unai Emery’s side struggled to impose themselves before the break.

Rashford Sparks Second-Half Transformation

The tempo shifted quickly after half-time, and Marcus Rashford—on loan from Manchester United—was central to Villa’s attacking threat.

After being denied by David Cornell on a swift counter-attack, Rashford made no mistake in the 58th minute, converting a first-time finish from Digne’s low cross to finally breach the Preston defence.

Just five minutes later, Rashford doubled his tally from the penalty spot, confidently sending Cornell the wrong way after Andrew Hughes was penalised for treading on Morgan Rogers’ foot inside the area.

Ramsey Seals the Win With Stunning Third

Villa continued to dominate as Preston began to tire. Rashford nearly added an assist to his brace with a clever pass to Rogers, who was denied by Cornell once again.

However, the third goal soon followed—Jacob Ramsey produced a moment of brilliance, cutting inside and rifling a low finish into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.

Villa Into the Last Four, Preston Exit With Pride

Despite the heavy scoreline, Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston will take positives from their first-half display, showing resilience and organisation against Premier League opposition.

 However, this result extends their poor FA Cup record against top-flight teams to 19 defeats from 20 such encounters.

Villa, on the other hand, continue to build momentum under Emery. This victory marks their fifth consecutive win in all competitions without conceding, and they now stand just one game away from a major final, with growing belief that they could end a 19-year trophy drought.