Marcus Rashford double and Jacob Ramsey goal fires slick Aston Villa into FA Cup semi-finals with win over Preston

Certainly not while the score is locked at 0-0. A couple of free-kick chances now have not been capitalised upon by the Premier League side.

Again Ramsey showing his quality in a dangerous position before he is chopped down by Storey. Just outside the Preston area. But Digne lifts the effort a few yards over. Cue the mocking cheers from home fans.

But the finish from 25 yards by Thórdarson is very hopeful and he doesn't get hold of the ball as it dribbles well wide. Villa back on the ball seconds later with Preston pinned back.

Lovely play by Villa to play out from the back under pressure. Martinez refusing to panic and the visitors then beat the press, but Ramsey was already on the move with Preston doing enough to get out in time.

Konsa just failing to connect with a lovely ball by Marco Asensio into the centre of the box. Anything on that would surely have given the visitors the lead. A let-off for Preston.

Putting themselves about, but Villa working some fine angles to keep possession of the football as Brady is caught offside. Looks like a counter attacking day for Preston. Meanwhile, Villa earn a corner, but headed out by Keane.

22 yards or so out from the Preston goal. Rashford does the first part right by getting the ball over the wall and down, but an easy take for Cornell in the centre of the sticks.

Excellent probing run by Ramsey in middle of pitch before he is hauled down from behind by Thórdarson. Free-kick chance for Villa.

Can't say they haven't got tremendous backing today in their quest to create an upset. The white shirts looking to get the ball played down the channels and get Villa turning. Old school tactics that continue to cause havoc in modern times as Martinez plucks a long throw-in out of the air.

Balloons and all sorts of paper blowing around the pitch at Deepdale. Plenty of water on this pitch too, but it still looks a bit lively despite the greenery. That will surely suit the home side.

Preston pressing high in the Villa area and Will Keane takes a tumble, but no foul on him. Clearly looking for the penalty. Fortunate not be booked for going down there as VAR had a quick check.

Preston get the action started on their traditional home ground. One of the genuine classic English grounds is ripe for this sort of contest. Home fans in full voice.

Nottingham Forest booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1991 with a penalty shoot-out win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men progressed 4-3 via spot kicks for the third time in the competition as goalkeeper Matz Sels saved from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, allowing Ryan Yates to crash home the winning penalty after the tie had finished goalless following extra time.  

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace produced a textbook away performance to beat Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage and reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the sixth time in the club’s history.

The victory was built on the creative brilliance of Eberechi Eze, who scored one and made one in a devastating five-minute period towards the end of the first half.

Bournemouth v Manchester City to come at 4:30pm this afternoon with the semi-final draw being staged after this match. Deepdale packed to the rafters.

As you would expect.

NICE TO GET A QUICK TOUR OF THE GROUND

Kaine Kesler-Hayden says hello to a few of his old Villa mates at Deepdale.

Real Madrid are interested in bringing Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes to the club for around £90 million, while Liverpool’s owner Fenway Sports Group is interested in buying Spanish second-tier side Malaga out of administration. Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho may not be welcomed back by players at Old Trafford if his move to Chelsea collapses, but Oghenetejiri Adejenughure may arrive.

Dai Cornell replaces Freddie Woodman in goal. Woodman is ruled out with an ankle injury while evergreen Ireland international Robbie Brady is handed a start for the home side.

Marco Asensio, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey all start for the visitors after their 3-0 home win over Club Brugge in Europe with John McGinn on the bench after his exertions with Scotland.

They last reached this stage in 1965/66 when they lost to Manchester United. They lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in their last meeting in this tournament in January 1967, but drew 1-1 with Villa at Deepdale in the Championship in December 2018. Changed days indeed.

"Today we play the club's first FA Cup quarter-final in almost 60 years," comments North End manager Paul Heckingbottom in his programme.

"I was slightly surprised to learn it had been that long.

"Everyone knows the talent they possess, but what a thing it would be if we could go that one step further."

Emery's side are also through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals to face PSG as they chase a first major trophy since the League Cup in 1995/96.

"The season is more or less the consistency we can have, but each moment is different," said the Villa manager in his pre-match media conference ahead of the trip to Deepdale.

"And now, we are in another moment, we have individually and collectively to be very demanding because we were under our expectation, our ambition to get the objective we want for the season.

"Of course, we conceded a lot of goals in the season, we are being sometimes consistent, but not enough.

"For example, we didn’t lose a lot of matches at home, only one in the Premier League, but we draw a lot of matches.

"This means we are consistent, yes, but not enough, because we are drawing more matches than we needed.

"Now we are recovering some injured players, we added other players in the transfer window, more than normal, and of course the adaptation has been different for each player.

"Now, today, Friday 28th March is a key moment, how we are going to face the last months in the competitions we have.

"Of course, the idea is to try to get better and be stronger defensively, like we were before."

The Championship side are 14th in the English second rung, but are bidding to become the first side since West Ham United in 1980 to win the FA Cup from outside the top flight.

Paul Heckingbottom's men are also bidding to reach the final for the first time since 1964 having twice lifted the famous old trophy in 1889 and 1938.

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Preston: Cornell, Storey, Gibson, Hughes, Brady, Whiteman, Thordarson, Meghoma, Frokjaer, Keane, Riis Subs: Stowell, Lindsay, Bauer, Pasiek, Tarry, Carroll, T. Mawene, Evans, Osmajic

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Tielemans, Kamara, Asensio, Rogers, Ramsey, Rashford Subs: Olsen, Bogarde, Maatsen, Garcia, Torres, Onana, McGinn, Malen, Watkins