Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa inspired a 3-0 victory against Preston who sent his team to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years on Sunday. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end the stubborn resistance of Preston before Jacob Ramsey wins the long-awaited return of the villa to the last four. Villa will face Crystal Palace-3-0 winners in Fulham on Saturday-in the semi-final in Wembley on weekends from April 26 to 27. Revitalized since he joined Villa loaned by Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford begins to show the shape that made him one of the brightest stars in England before his decline in the last two years.
In the midst of his concerns about his attitude and his off -scope behavior, Rashford was tried consumable by the manager of United, Ruben Amorim, after also facing the former boss of Old Trafford Erik Ten Hag.
The 27 -year -old had not scored since the game for United against Everton on December 1.
Deployed in the role of the central striker who often seemed to blur his confidence in United, Rashford was too dynamic for the second level Preston to manage in the last sign that his career might not be intended to end with disappointment after all.
“It’s a great feeling, I have the impression of becoming more fit and playing football since I am here. It’s always nice for an attacker to get a goal, so I hope it continues,” said Rashford.
“I missed a lot of football before joining Villa. It’s step by step. My body feels good and I appreciate my football for the moment.
“We are very ambitious. We will see where it leads us.”
While United in difficulty was mired in troubles, Rashford took advantage of the passage to the mobile villa upwards.
The UAI Emery team experienced a memorable race in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, where they face Paris Saint-Germain in April.
They also have an external chance to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Rashford could be part of a memorable point of the campaign for Villa, which has not won the FA Cup since 1957, with their last last term to defeat against Arsenal in 2015.
Sitting 14th in the championship, Preston played in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1966.
Paul Heckingbottom’s team was undefeated during their 15 previous home games in all competitions, but the FA Cup winners of 1889 and 1938 were not up to the merciless villa.
Rashford’s free kick forced Preston’s goalkeeper David Cornell, before Ezri Konsa’s goalkeeper’s head was just whistling away from the Marco Asensio cross.
Stefan Thordarson wasted a golden opportunity to give Preston a shock lead when he pushed widely.
Rashford was just as lavish after half-time, drawing straight from Cornell from inside the region.
But Villa broke the dead end in the 58th minute while Rashford perfectly timed his race to meet Lucas worthy of cross with a 12 -meter clinical finish.
Morgan Rogers was refused by Cornell a few moments later while Villa was going for killing.
And it was Rogers who obtained the villages in the 63rd minute when the English midfielder was launched by Andrew Hughes.
Rashford intervened to send Cornell in the wrong direction with a kick without nervous.
Ramsey put the result out of doubt eight minutes later, heading for the Preston region and drilling a powerful hit in front of Cornell for his fourth goal this season.
(This story has not been published by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a unionized flow.)
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