Marcus Rashford marked the end of his four-month goal drought in a spectacular fashion, scoring twice as Aston Villa triumphed over Preston North End with a commanding 3-0 victory at Deepdale. This result not only secured their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals but also set the stage for a historic run in the competition.
The 27-year-old forward, who is currently on loan from Manchester United, had not found the back of the net since December. However, he finally broke his long-awaited scoring silence in the 58th minute of the match. Rashford was in the right place at the right time to tap in a precise cutback from Lucas Digne, giving Villa a well-deserved lead.
Just five minutes later, Rashford was again in the spotlight, calmly converting a penalty after Morgan Rogers was fouled inside the box. His composed finish ensured Villa’s 2-0 advantage and kept their FA Cup dreams alive as they pushed for their first FA Cup victory since 1957.
The victory was rounded off in stunning fashion by Jacob Ramsey, who sealed the win with a brilliant strike from outside the box, once again assisted by the ever-influential Digne. Ramsey’s goal added a touch of class to Villa’s dominant performance, making it 3-0 and ensuring they advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in a decade.
Read Also: Christian Atsu is the best player I’ve played with – Jordan Ayew
Rashford’s double not only lifted Villa’s spirits but also marked a personal milestone in his resurgence under Villa manager Unai Emery. The English forward, who has seemed rejuvenated in recent weeks, received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Villa faithful when he was substituted late in the game. This moment highlighted his importance to the team and his increasing confidence in front of goal.
This resurgence is coming at a crucial juncture in the season for Villa, who are fighting on multiple fronts. In addition to their FA Cup ambitions, they are also vying for a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would secure them a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League.
As if that weren’t enough, they now have a semi-final showdown with Crystal Palace to look forward to, with the match set to take place at Wembley. The stage is set for Villa to make a serious push for silverware, and with Rashford finding his form, their prospects look brighter than ever.
