Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

​In a compelling FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are set to face off, each aiming to secure a spot in the final and, for Palace, a chance at their first major trophy. The winner will meet either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest in the final.​

Crystal Palace, under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner, have reached the semi-finals by defeating Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, and Fulham, showcasing a strong performance, particularly with a 3-0 victory over Fulham in the quarter-finals. Historically, Palace have reached the FA Cup final twice, both times facing Manchester United and unfortunately losing—first in 1990 after a replay, and again in 2016 in extra time.​

Despite a recent four-game winless streak, Palace demonstrated resilience in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, with notable goals from Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Their attacking prowess has been evident, scoring multiple goals in eight of their last ten away matches. Key players like Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz have been instrumental, both bringing unique backgrounds and strengths to the team.​

Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, a seasoned tactician with multiple Europa League titles, are seeking their first FA Cup final appearance since 2015. Their journey to the semi-finals included victories over Preston North End, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Cardiff City. Villa's last FA Cup triumph was in 1957, and they are eager to add another to their collection.​

The team has shown strong form, notably with a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. However, they faced a setback with a last-minute 2-1 loss to Manchester City, leaving them just outside the Champions League qualification spots. Villa's attack has been bolstered by Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, who has been in impressive form.​

This semi-final also carries a narrative of redemption for Villa, who were eliminated by Palace in the EFL Cup earlier this season and suffered a 4-1 defeat at Selhurst Park in February. Both teams are poised for a fiercely contested match, each with their sights set on FA Cup glory.