Aston Villa defeats Preston 3-0, Rashford scores twice, reaches FA Cup semi-finals

Aston Villa defeated Preston North End 3-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Marcus Rashford scoring his first two goals for the club after joining on loan from Manchester United. The victory marks Villa's first semi-final appearance in the FA Cup in a decade, where they will face Crystal Palace. Despite a strong first half from Preston, Villa took control in the second half, with Rashford netting a side-footed shot and converting a penalty shortly after. Jacob Ramsey added a third goal to seal the win, showcasing Villa's quality and experience. Preston, the last remaining non-Premier League team in the competition, put up a commendable fight but ultimately succumbed to Villa's dominance. This win is part of a promising season for Villa as they also aim for a top-four finish in the Premier League and are preparing for a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.