Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Aston Villa as they saw off Preston 3-0 at Deepdale to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
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Villa into the FA Cup semi-finalsBeat Preston 3-0 at DeepdaleRashford nets first goals for the clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
The Manchester United loanee broke the deadlock 13 minutes after half-time, converting Lucas Digne's cross after a crisp Villa move.
Five minutes later, Morgan Rogers was fouled inside the box and Rashford stepped up to stroke home his second from 12 yards.
Soon enough, the game was completely killed off when Jacob Ramsey turned on the afterburners to race through midfield and slam home a third.
Preston had been competitive in the first hour, Stefan Thordurson heading a presentable chance wide in the first half, while their Premier League visitors were limited to chances from set-pieces.
Suffering a long list of absences, however, North End could not keep up the pace and it is Unai Emery's side on their way to Wembley.
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By progressing to the semis, Villa are in the final four for the third time since 2000. Martin O'Neill's side lost to Chelsea 3-0 at that stage in 2010, while under Tim Sherwood they went one better in 2015 before losing 4-0 to Arsenal in the final.
THE MVP
The afternoon undoubtedly belonged to Rashford, who finally added goals of his own to what has been a hugely encouraging loan spell in the Midlands. With Ollie Watkins only fit for the bench, Rashford started through the middle and scored a poacher's goal to break his duck after Digne's square cross. His calm penalty that followed was a sure sign of a player whose confidence has been restored and he looks set to be a major player for Emery between now and the end of the season.
AFPTHE BIG LOSER
Preston did themselves justice and manager Paul Heckingbottom will be left ruing what might have been had his list of absentees not been so long. For a variety of reasons, North End were without Freddie Woodman, Ryan Porteous, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ryan Ledson and Sam Greenwood, all of whom may have started, and did run out of steam once Villa had their noses in front. It means there will be no Championship representation in the semi-finals for the first time since 2022.