Crystal Palace and Aston Villa faced off in a highly anticipated FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, with both teams vying for a place in the final against either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City. The match concluded with a surprising 3-0 victory for Crystal Palace, marking a significant achievement for the club.
In a contest that saw Crystal Palace outperform expectations, Ismaila Sarr emerged as the star of the match, scoring two goals, while Eberechi Eze added another to secure the win. This victory not only propelled Palace into their third FA Cup final but also left Aston Villa, who had been favored to win, searching for answers.
The Opta supercomputer had predicted a 45.7% chance of victory for Aston Villa, who had enjoyed a strong season overall. Despite out-attempting Palace 16 to 8 and maintaining over 70% possession, Villa failed to convert their dominance into goals. The defeat extends Villa's wait for a major trophy, with their last significant win dating back to the 1995-96 season.
Palace's triumph at Wembley was particularly poignant given their history; they have never won a major trophy in their 119-year history. In contrast, Villa's last top-level trophy came nearly three decades ago, in 1996. The match was crucial for both clubs, who have struggled to secure silverware in a combined 148 years.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed his pride in his team's performance, particularly noting the impact of Sarr and Eze. "We’ve done really well in the cup competition until now. It’s a huge game at Wembley, and we’re looking forward to it," Glasner said. Sarr's contribution was vital, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
The match began with Palace taking the lead in the 31st minute when Eberechi Eze capitalized on a defensive error from Villa's Pau Torres. Eze struck from outside the box, giving Palace a deserved advantage. As the game progressed, Villa struggled to find their rhythm, with Palace's defense holding firm against their attacks.
In the second half, Sarr doubled the lead in the 58th minute, finishing off a well-worked move initiated by Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Eagles continued to press, and Sarr sealed the victory in stoppage time (90+4') with a clinical finish past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Despite the loss, Villa manager Unai Emery remained optimistic about his team's future. "We played a really hard match on Tuesday and did very good work there, but today we needed to execute better," Emery stated. His side had come into the match with high hopes after a strong season, but they were ultimately unable to convert their chances.
Palace's victory was not without its moments of drama, including a missed penalty from Mateta, who clipped the ball off the outside of the post in the first half. However, the Eagles' resilience shone through, and they managed to maintain their composure throughout the match.
The win at Wembley is a significant milestone for Crystal Palace, who will now prepare for the final on May 17, 2025, where they will face either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City. This match will provide them with an opportunity to make history and finally secure a major trophy.
As the dust settles on this semi-final clash, the focus now shifts to the final, where Palace will hope to carry their momentum forward. Their fans will be buzzing with excitement, eager to see if their team can clinch that elusive piece of silverware.
In conclusion, this FA Cup semi-final showcased the unpredictability of football, with Crystal Palace defying the odds to emerge victorious against Aston Villa. The stage is set for an exciting final, and all eyes will be on Palace as they aim to make history.
