FA Cup Semifinals: Crystal Palace Faces Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest Meets Manchester City

This weekend's FA Cup semi-finals feature Crystal Palace facing Aston Villa and Manchester City meeting Nottingham Forest, with all four clubs vying for a coveted spot in the final at Wembley. Crystal Palace, still seeking their first major trophy, face historical challenges against Villa, who have won the cup seven times but not since 1957 and have struggled in recent matches against Palace. Both Palace and Villa are experiencing significant seasons, with Villa also contending for Champions League qualification. Manchester City, the only traditional powerhouse remaining, view the FA Cup as a chance to salvage a season that has otherwise fallen short of expectations. The semi-finals promise excitement and unpredictability, standing out amid a relatively subdued Premier League run-in. The absence of usual giants like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea adds to the open and compelling nature of this year's competition.