Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Aston Villa as they cruised to victory at Preston North End to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Rashford had made an excellent impression since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United but had gone nine games without a goal for Unai Emery’s side.
But he struck twice in three minutes to send Villa to Wembley, where they will face Crystal Palace, first finishing off a swift move and then converting a penalty after Morgan Rogers was fouled in the box.
Preston, who were the only Championship team to reach the quarter-finals, offered little in the second half and Jacob Ramsey made it three.
It continues Villa’s strong season in the cups and they will have an FA Cup semi-final against Palace to look forward to, as well as their Champions League quarter-final against PSG.
Follow all the reaction from Deepdale below:
Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE
- FULL TIME! Rashford scores twice as Aston Villa win 3-0 at Preston
- Villa through to semi-finals, where they will play Crystal Palace at Wembley
- 72' GOAL! Ramsey dances through to add third and send Villa through [PNE 0-3 AST]
- 62' GOAL! Rashford adds another from penalty spot after Rogers fouled [PNE 0-2 AST]
- 60' GOAL! Marcus Rashford scores first Villa goal to break deadlock [PNE 0-1 AST]
- 30' CLOSE! Thordarson heads wide with Martinez off his line [PNE 0-0 AST]
Preston North End FC 0 - 3 Aston Villa FC
Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa renaissance still needs work - but FA Cup offers historic opportunity
16:59 , Richard JollyMarcus Rashford had come from Wembley and now he is heading back there. His renaissance had included a pair of outings for England, Thomas Tuchel ending his international exile, and now he has powered Aston Villa to the national stadium. An FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace beckons for a club who have not won the competition since 1957. Rashford’s time at Villa Park may only last a few months, and no decision has been made whether to activate the £40m clause to sign him permanently, but it has the potential to prove historic.
