In an almost routine match, Crystal Palace convincingly defeated Aston Villa 3–0, securing their place in the FA Cup final for the third time in the club’s history.The first half at Wembley saw Crystal Palace take control after a lively start from both sides. Aston Villa had the first real attempt in the 13th minute when Boubacar Kamara found space outside the box, but his ambitious shot flew high over the bar.⚪️ at Wembley 🤩 pic.twitter.com/14bjQ1iVlr— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 26, 2025 Villa continued to press, and in the 24th minute Lucas Digne delivered a precise cross into the box, finding Morgan Rogers. However, Rogers couldn’t convert, sending his first-time effort just wide of the post.Palace thought they had taken the lead in the 29th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta muscled past Ezri Konsa and slotted the ball past Emiliano Martinez. However, the referee had already blown for a foul on Konsa during the build-up, and the goal was ruled out.Just two minutes later, Crystal Palace did find the breakthrough. In the 31st minute, Ismaila Sarr set up Eberechi Eze, who unleashed a brilliant strike from the edge of the box into the top of the net, giving Palace a deserved 1–0 lead.The technique, yet again, special. pic.twitter.com/jB0pEZFMxY— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 26, 2025 Villa almost responded before halftime. In the 39th minute, Ezri Konsa rose highest to meet a corner, but his header aimed toward the bottom corner was well saved by Dean Henderson.Palace nearly doubled their lead right before the break. A quick counterattack saw a cut-back from the right fall to Sarr, but he slipped at the crucial moment, missing a golden chance to score.The perfect start 👏#CPFC— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 26, 2025 The second half started with Aston Villa pushing for an equalizer. In the 49th minute, Matty Cash whipped in a cross that John McGinn guided on target, but Dean Henderson reacted brilliantly, palming the ball over the bar. Just a minute later, Villa came close again when Lucas Digne struck a fierce first-time shot from outside the box, but Henderson was equal to it once more, tipping it around the post.Crystal Palace quickly turned the momentum in their favor. In the 51st minute, Adam Wharton sliced open the Villa defense with a clever pass, and Boubacar Kamara brought down Eberechi Eze in the box.Referee Anthony Taylor immediately pointed to the spot, and after a VAR check, the penalty was confirmed. However, Jean-Philippe Mateta wasted the opportunity, dragging his shot wide and letting Villa off the hook.A massive moment in the FA Cup semi-final! 😯Palace were awarded a penalty after Eberechi Eze was brought down. 👀Up steps Jean-Philippe Mateta, who missed the target! 🤯Emi Martinez celebrated like he had saved it. 😂 #FACup #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ps5xVcvwf2— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) April 26, 2025 Palace didn’t dwell on the miss for long. In the 58th minute, Wharton again played a key role by blocking a pass from Youri Tielemans, allowing Ismaila Sarr to pounce. Sarr raced forward with space ahead of him and fired a superb low shot into the bottom left corner, doubling Palace’s lead with another excellent finish.This, just this… pic.twitter.com/OtYteul2l1— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 26, 2025 Palace continued to create chances and looked comfortable in possession. In the 80th minute, Eze dazzled by weaving past several defenders before sending in a cross from the left. It found Sarr again, but his header drifted wide of the target.The match was sealed by the scorer of the second goal, Sarr, who calmly beat Emiliano Martinez after a brilliant assist from Nketiah. You can see the goal HERE!FA CUPSemifinalsSaturdayCrystal Palace – Aston Villa 3-0 (1-0)/Eze 31, Sarr 58, 90+4/Sunday18:30: (4.90) Nott.Forest (3.85) Man.City (1.75)***odds are subject to change***
