FA Cup semi-final draw LIVE: Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Man City learn fate
Manchester City completed the semi-final line-up after coming from behind to defeat Bournemouth
One of Crystal Palace or Aston Villa will play in the FA Cup final, with Nottingham Forest taking on Manchester City in the other semi-final at Wembley.
Palace enjoyed a brilliant 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday while Forest continued their spectacular season by edging a penalty shoot-out at Brighton to book their place at Wembley in the semi-finals.
Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Aston Villa as they cruised to a 3-0 victory at Preston North End to join Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in the hat, in what is a wide-open competition this season.
The final tie of the weekend involved Manchester City and Bournemouth, but it was Pep Guardiola’s side who reached the semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season as Omar Marmoush came off the bench to score the winner.
The FA Cup semi-finals will be played at Wembley across the weekend of 26 and 27 April.
FA Cup semi-final draw LIVE
Semi-final one:
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City or Bournemouth
Ball numbers
Here’s a reminder of the ball numbers as the draw is just around the corner. It’s about to get underway, a little earlier than scheduled.
1. Crystal Palace
2. Aston Villa
3. AFC Bournemouth or Manchester City
4. Nottingham Forest
FA Cup semi-final draw LIVE
As a reminder, we’re expecting the draw to come at around 3.45pm. The process follows Preston’s match with Aston Villa – Villa have eased to a 3-0 win in that one.
Why this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals are a once-in-a-generation event
The majority of those left in the FA Cup are keenly aware this isn’t just another game. It’s a historic, and maybe unique, opportunity.
There will be no debates about the competition’s meaning. Most of the clubs who most frequently win it – including its five most successful clubs over the last 34 years and nine of its past 10 winners – are out. It really couldn’t mean more to those left.
.jpeg?width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Why this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals are a once-in-a-generation event
When are the semi-finals?
The semi-finals will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April.
Marcus Rashford puts Aston Villa in charge of FA Cup quarter-final
You wait 14 games for a goal and then two come at once: Marcus Rashford’s two quickfire strikes have put Aston Villa in charge at Preston and heading for the semi-finals.
The first from Rashford, on the hour, came from a swift move as he finished Lucas Digne’s cut-back. The second was a penalty, taken cooly as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Nottingham Forest’s fairytale season continues with penalty shootout triumph at Brighton
Matz Sels was Nottingham Forest’s penalty hero yet again as they reachedthe FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.
The Belgian goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as Forest beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 on penalties after a largely dismal goalless draw at the Amex Stadium.
Sels had previously made crucial saves in the shoot-outs against Exeter and Ipswich in the previous two rounds.
Nottingham Forest’s fairytale season continues with shootout triumph at Brighton
Eberechi Eze inspires Crystal Palace to stunning win at Fulham in wide-open FA Cup
Eberechi Eze was the difference maker as Crystal Palace booked their trip to Wembley with a 3-0 win over Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Palace’s number 10, who was among those in England manager Thomas Tuchel’s first squad selection earlier this month, opened the scoring with a brilliant effort before he assisted Ismaila Sarr for his side’s second at Craven Cottage.
Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to add a third as Palace claimed a fifth successive win in all competitions and will now eagerly await a semi-final in a competition that has become wide open thanks to the early exits of most of the traditional “big six”.
Eberechi Eze inspires Crystal Palace to stunning win at Fulham in wide-open FA Cup
Ball numbers ahead of the draw
1. Crystal Palace
2. Preston North End or Aston Villa
3. AFC Bournemouth or Manchester City
4. Nottingham Forest
How to watch the FA Cup draw
The draw will take place live as part of BBC One’s broadcast of Preston North End v Aston Villa. It will also stream live on BBC iPlayer.
Mark Chapman will host the draw, while Joe Hart will conduct it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments