Aston Villa keep fans dreaming of FA Cup success
Preston North End 0 - 3 Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford broke his four-month scoring drought to send Aston Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals with victory over Preston at Deepdale.
Stadium - Deepdale
After a few missed chances against the competition's last remaining Championship team, Rashford finally scored by tapping in Lucas Digne's cutback in the 58th minute.
Five minutes later Rashford kept his nerve to send David Cornell the wrong way with his penalty after Morgan Rogers had been fouled by Andrew Hughes.
These were Rashford's first goals since his double against Everton on December 1st and they kept Villa's hopes alive of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1957.
Preston battled hard but a clear gulf in class was only underlined by the absence through injury of first-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and on-loan defender Kaine Kasler-Hayden, who was unable to play against his parent club.
Once in front, Villa tightened their grip and Jacob Ramsey smashed in a third from the edge of the area 19 minutes from time, with Digne again the provider.
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Villa fans impressed by Rashford
Thomas Molton, an Aston Villa fan, said: "A positive one for Rashford, both physically and mentally, as he reminds himself that he can finish chances when he wants to. He makes countless intelligent runs, and while most would agree he’s at his best on the left, if he’s comfortable leading the line, then so be it. Given the opportunities, he will take them. He has the instincts of a natural goalscorer. When provided with enough chances, he will find the net."
This was a view supported by Frank. He added: "He might be the player that leads us to success on more than front this season. What a time to be a Villa fan."
Proud Preston were second best
Preston North End are a club steeped in history, and Deepdale remains one of English football’s most storied grounds.
From the legendary Tom Finney to figures like Howard Kendall, Bill Shankly, and David Moyes, the club’s past is woven into the very fabric of the game, stretching back to its earliest organised roots.
However, so much of that history feels distant now. In modern times, Preston’s defining characteristic has been their steadfast presence in the Championship, year after year, never quite troubling the promotion race, yet never seriously threatened by relegation either.
Their continued existence at this level owes much to the Hemmings family, who invest around £1 million a month to keep the club stable.
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Yet, as this match made painfully clear, even such substantial financial backing is no longer enough to bridge the gap to football’s elite.
A record Deepdale crowd (their biggest since 1971) watched on as Preston were stretched from the opening seconds, struggling to contain the relentless precision of Villa’s one-touch passing.
Their commitment was beyond question. In one frantic three-minute spell, Jayden Meghoma sprinted back 40 yards to halt Rogers with a last-ditch tackle, while fifth-round hero Robbie Brady flung himself in front of a Lucas Digne cross at the other end.
It was desperate, backs-to-the-wall defending, but it could only hold out for so long.
There was one moment, fleeting but significant, when the game was still level. Stefan Thordarson had a clear sight of goal, but his header drifted wide, leaving Will Keane poised in frustration as Brady’s initial effort rebounded into the danger zone.
