Aston Villa s Rashford scores twice in FA Cup win over Preston to reach semis

PRESTON, England - Aston Villa striker Marcus Rashford scored twice in a 3-0 defeat of second-tier Preston North End in their FA Cup quarter-final at Deepdale on Sunday to earn a Wembley semi-final against fellow Premier League team Crystal Palace.

Enjoying a rich vein of form on all fronts, Villa are seeking to lift the worlds oldest national competition for the first time in 68 years. Nottingham Forest will face either Bournemouth or Manchester City in the other semi-final.

Rashford netted his first goal for Villa since a February loan move from Manchester United when he side-footed a low cross from Lucas Digne into the net 13 minutes after halftime. Shortly after, he converted a penalty when Morgan Rogers was fouled.

Jacob Ramsey scored an excellent third for Villa to settle the contest as Preston’s stout resistance crumbled and Villas greater quality and experience shone through.

They go to a first FA Cup semi-final since the 2014-15 season when they defeated Liverpool in the last four but lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the final.

Championship club Preston, the last remaining club in the competition from outside the top flight, held their own in the first half and had a couple of half-chances to score, but Villa took control in the second period and were worthy winners.

Preston had the best chance of the opening period as Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez failed to clear with a punch and Stefan Thordarson’s attempted header unchallenged went wide of goal.

FIRST GOAL

Rashford was denied by a smothering save from Preston keeper Dai Cornell when he scuffed his first shot from eight yards, and then could not beat the keeper with his follow-up.

But the England striker would not be denied and he broke the deadlock with a simple side-footed finish after Digne had