Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE: Marcus Rashford scores first goals as Villa reach FA Cup semi-finals
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa: Rashford scored twice as Unai Emery’s side booked a trip to Wembley
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.
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.
Follow all the reaction from Deepdale below:
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.
Rashford renaissance still needs work but FA Cup offers a shot at history
Aston Villa to face Crystal Palace as FA Cup semi-final draw revealed
Crystal Palace have been drawn Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-finals, while Nottingham Forest will face the winner of AFC Bournemouth or Manchester City.
The semi-finals will be held at Wembley on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April, with history on the line as Forest, Villa and Crystal Palace aim to become just the fourth team in the last 30 years to disrupt the dominance of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United in this competition.
Aston Villa to face Crystal Palace as FA Cup semi-final draw revealed
Excitement builds at Villa
Villa’s win means that April will see a trip to Wembley in the semi-finals as well as a two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain.
The semi-final takes place on either 26 or 27 April, while the Champions League matches take place on 8 April (in Paris) and 15 April (at Villa Park).
Up next
Villa’s next match is a midweek Premier League game against Brighton, which kicks off at 7.45pm on Wednesday, 2 April.
Preston face Derby away at the same time on the same day.
Rashford reacts
Marcus Rashford is first to speak to BBC One, and he says it’s “a great feeling” to score twice.
“I feel like I've been getting fitter and playing better football since I've been here. It's always nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully, it continues.
"We have to take it one game at a time and give it 100% on the pitch and see where it takes us. We're very ambitious,” he adds.
"Step by step. I think I can still get fitter. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them. My body feels good and I'm enjoying my football for now."
FA Cup semi-final draw
Villa have been drawn against Crystal Palace in the semi-finals!
Nottingham forest will face either Man City or Bournemouth.
FA Cup semi-final draw
A reminder that the draw for the semi-finals will follow this match on BBC One.
You can follow our live coverage of the draw here.
FULL-TIME! Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
FULL-TIME! Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
The referee blows the final whistle and Aston Villa have made the semi-finals!
A valiant effort from the hosts in parts, but Villa’s quality shone through in the end.
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