Crystal Palace will look to book a place in their third-ever FA Cup final when they meet Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles, who have impressed throughout this season’s competition, must now overcome a Villa side they have enjoyed considerable success against in recent encounters.
The semi-final clash is scheduled to kick off at 16:15 GMT, with the winner earning the right to contest the showpiece final at English football’s most iconic venue.
Palace’s FA Cup history has been marked by near misses, reaching the final twice, in 1990 and 2016, only to suffer defeat on both occasions.
Their most recent attempt, in 2022, ended with a semi-final loss to Chelsea.
However, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, Palace have charted a determined path to the last four this term, dispatching Millwall 3-1 and sweeping aside Fulham 3-0 in earlier rounds.
Now dreaming of lifting the famous trophy for the first time, Palace know that winning the FA Cup would not only end their long wait for silverware but also secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa League — a major incentive for the South London club.
Facing them are Aston Villa, currently sitting seventh in the Premier League and enjoying an impressive run in Europe, having reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Despite Villa’s strong form this season, recent head-to-head results favor Palace. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Villa, recording three victories and two draws.
At the heart of Palace’s hopes is Ismaïla Sarr, who has developed a reputation for tormenting Villa’s defense. The Senegalese winger boasts a remarkable record against the Birmingham-based club, scoring five goals and providing two assists in just six appearances.
His pace, directness, and ability to find the net have made him a constant threat whenever he has faced Villa, and Palace will be counting on him once again to deliver at Wembley.
Nevertheless, Palace will need to raise their level after a dip in form in the Premier League. Glasner’s side has failed to win any of their last four league outings, a run they must snap if they are to keep their FA Cup dreams alive.
Against a Villa side balancing domestic ambitions with European commitments, Palace will seek to exploit any vulnerability.
The other semi-final will see Nottingham Forest take on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday, completing the lineup for what promises to be an exciting final at Wembley. With Manchester United, last season’s winners, already eliminated, the path is open for a new champion to emerge.
For Crystal Palace, Saturday’s showdown is a golden opportunity to write a new chapter in their history.
With Ismaïla Sarr leading the charge, the Eagles will hope their strong record against Villa can pave the way to a historic first FA Cup triumph.
