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:
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
90 mins
CLOSE! So nearly four.
Some great work from McGinn to take down the long throw in the box and lay it off to Ramsey, whose effort is deflected just past the far post.
There’ll be two minutes added on.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
87 mins
It all feels like a friendly now, though Preston are still pressing as they try to salvage something. Villa re full of confidence at the moment though, knocking it around the Preston half with ease.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
84 mins
Changes for Preston as Frøkjær and Thordarson come off for Noah Mawene and Theo Carroll.
Carroll has his first involvement as he hits a tame effort at Martinez.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
83 mins
Two great chances in as many minutes for Watkins as Kamara dances through a challenge and slips in a perfect through ball, which forces the defender to commit and releases Watkins 1-v-1 with Cornell.
The England striker tries reversing a low shot into the far corner, but he drags it wide from just inside the box.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
82 mins
CLOSE! Almost a goal with his first touch for Watkins.
He should probably score too, as a cross is flashed across goal and he glances a header wide from around eight yards.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
81 mins
Two more changes for Villa as Rashford and Cash come off for Ollie Watkins and Jose Garcia.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
79 mins
Villa fans are serenading their side as they point out that they’re on their way to Wembley, with Mings blocking a speculative Preston effort and the away fans now greeting every successful pass with an ‘ole’.
Villa should find out their semi-final opponents pretty quickly, with the draw set to follow this match.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
77 mins
Changes for Preston now as Riis and Meghoma come off for Ched Evans and Liam Lindsay.
Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
74 mins
Cornell could’ve done better there but in truth the game was wrapped up with that second from Rashford.
Emery makes changes now as Asensio, Rogers and Tielemans come off for Amadou Onana, Donyell Malen and John McGinn.
GOAL! Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
72 mins
GOAL! A lovely effort from Jacob Ramsey!
Villa have had a couple of chances since the second goal and now they’ve wrapped it up.
The ball breaks free to Ramsey in midfield and he sees the space open up in front of him.
He surges towards the box before taking an extra touch and firing an effort back across the ‘keeper and into the far corner.
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