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Player ratings and report from Aston Villa’s FA Cup quarter-final victory away at Preston North End.
Marcus Rashford was the brace-scoring hero as Aston Villa clinched an FA Cup semi-final ticket with a comfortable 3-0 victory away at Preston North End on Sunday afternoon.
Rashford’s first two goals in claret and blue and a clinical strike from Jacob Ramsey were enough to settle the quarter-final at Deepdale following a nervy and stop-start first period. Unai Emery’s men were far from convincing in the initial 45 minutes but a flurry of activity after the break proved sufficient as Preston - apart from one near miss - were unable to threaten.
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It wasn’t always pretty as the highlight of an uninspiring first half - no word of a lie - was seeing hods of balloons wreak havoc in the opening exchanges, causing all sorts of confusion as many were white. Just as you thought the players had popped the last of them, more floated their way onto the field. Referee Chris Kavanagh even had to pause play temporarily.
Preston had the best opportunity of the first 45 as Stefan Thordarson headed narrowly wide from a goalmouth scramble. Robbie Brady clipped in an inviting delivery to the far post, forcing a tentative punch away from Emiliano Martinez before the ball flashed back across the face of goal for Thordarson to head, but he couldn’t find the target.
Villa improved almost immediately after the break as they began to zip the ball around with vigour, possibly following a vexed team talk from Emery. Rashford then opened the scoring in the 58th minute, finally ending his wait for his first goal with a cool finish beyond Dai Cornell. It was a great counter-attack as Marco Asensio won possession, Jacob Ramsey sent Lucas Digne away down the left and a low cross was then poked home by the goalscorer.
Rashford’s confidence was visibly lifted after the opening and he very nearly set up Morgan Rogers for a rapid second, but Jayden Meghoma made a heroic block on the line to deny him. Villa soon forgot about that miss as Rogers was fouled by Andrew Hughes in the box and Kavanagh awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute, slotted confidently into the bottom right corner for Rashford’s second of the afternoon.
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Ramsey then got in on the act in the 71st minute to put the game beyond doubt, firing emphatically into the bottom left-hand corner after turning away his marker and driving through the middle. Digne claimed his second assist of the game but all the credit has to go to Ramsey, who created the space to shoot from nowhere.
Villa advance to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2015 and end their five-year wait for a visit to Wembley. Emery’s men will take on Crystal Palace.
Player ratings
Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the players at Deepdale.
Emiliano Martinez - 7
Marked his 200th Villa appearance with a straightforward clean sheet. Had just one save to make and it was to deny Theo Carrol when it was already 3-0.
Matty Cash - 6 (off 80’)
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Occasionally sought some space down the right but wasn’t able to put the ball into the box as often as he would have liked. Beaten by his man on a couple of occasions.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Didn’t really put a foot wrong at the back as Villa preserved their clean sheet. Missed a great chance in the first half, however, as he headed wide of the mark.
Tyrone Mings - 7
Enjoyed a match-long tussle with Emil Riis and Will Keane, often coming out on top physically. Showed great composure when passing out from the back.
Lucas Digne - 8
Set up Rashford’s first goal with a great low cross into the danger area and also grabbed the assist for Ramsey’s strike. Could’ve had more assists on another day as he swung in so many great crosses. Not troubled defensively.
Boubacar Kamara - 8
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Dominated in midfield to help Villa regain possession whenever it was lost, racking up two tackles, two interceptions and two clearances.
Youri Tielemans - 6 (off 73’)
Helped Villa dominate the ball but didn’t have any moments of glory. A quiet game, slightly below his usual standards.
Morgan Rogers - 7 (off 73’)
Won the penalty that Rashford went on to convert, showing signs of his usual, powerful self after an unconvincing first half.
Jacob Ramsey - 8
Scored a sublime solo goal to make it 3-0, dribbling 25 yards before slotting the ball into the net with conviction. Deservedly on the scoresheet as he was a real threat when cutting in from the left.
Marco Asensio - 6 (off 73’)
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The most involved of Villa’s midfield players in an otherwise drab first half as he took some excellent corners, two of which were attempts to score directly from the flag. Gave the ball away more than usual but was at least trying to instigate attacks.
Marcus Rashford - 9 (off 80’)
Scored his first two goals - the first a tidy finish and the second a calm penalty - to send Villa on their way. Had two other shots on target, taking his tally to four overall in what was a superb display leading the line in place of Ollie Watkins.