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Aston Villa secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a victory over Preston at Deepdale, thanks to a match-winning performance from Marcus Rashford, who ended a four-month goal drought. After wasting earlier opportunities, the on-loan forward opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a tap-in from Lucas Digne's cutback, before converting a penalty five minutes later to seal the win.
Rashford's first goals since his double against Everton on 1 December ensured Villa retain hopes of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1957, if they can get past Crystal Palace in the semi-finals.
Preston battled hard but a clear gulf in class was only underlined by the absence through injury of first-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and on-loan defender Kaine Kasler-Hayden, who was unable to play against his parent club.
Once in front, Villa tightened their grip and Jacob Ramsey smashed in a third from the edge of the area 19 minutes from time, with Digne again the provider as Villa reached the last four for the first time in a decade.
This was a very big day for Rashford, who arrived at Villa Park in February with a storied past but so much to prove. There is no doubt Rashford has looked a different, more enthused and engaged player since starting to work with Unai Emery, his return to the England fold alone proves that.
Yet that elusive first goal had not come in his previous nine appearances for Villa, which gave his many critics the ammunition to back up their argument Rashford's best days are behind him.
For 14 games up to kick-off, he had drawn a blank, in the red of United, the claret and blue of Villa and white of England. His last goals, evidently, came before Ruben Amorim decided he was better off without the 27-year-old.
The Villa boss gave Rashford free-kick duties at Deepdale. His first effort went straight to Cornell. The second, from over 30 yards, didn't look threatening even before it struck a team-mate and bounced tamely wide.
When he was substituted nine minutes from time, Rashford was afforded a sustained ovation from the visiting supporters, who are fully on board with what he is bringing to their team.
