Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years with a stunning 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on April 26, 2025. The Eagles showcased a remarkable performance, highlighted by a brace from Ismaila Sarr and a stunning strike from Eberechi Eze, as they secured their spot in the final set for May 17, 2025.
Oliver Glasner's side took the lead in the semi-final through Eze's long-range blast in the 31st minute, which was followed by two second-half goals from Sarr. This victory sees Palace advance to their third FA Cup final in club history, having previously lost to Manchester United in 1990 and 2016.
"All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments," Glasner said after the match. "We got more control and it was an unbelievable performance. The players stuck to the plan and we never lost our heads. I don’t know at the moment how I feel -- a bit exhausted. The players have four days off now. They should enjoy the moment."
Aston Villa, who last won the FA Cup in 1957, were hoping to make the final for the first time since 2015 but fell short against a determined Palace side. Manager Unai Emery lamented his team's performance, stating, "When they scored the first goal it was more difficult for us and we only reacted after 2-0. In transition, they are very good, and they deserve to win. Sorry to our supporters because they were motivated. We have to accept it and be quick to react because in the league we have the most important objective."
The match saw an early disallowed goal for Palace when Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the back of the net, only for VAR to confirm a foul in the buildup. However, Eze's opener was a moment of brilliance. After Sarr intercepted a pass from Pau Torres, he found Eze, who curled a superb strike beyond the reach of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Villa tried to respond, with Torres narrowly missing the target with a header and Konsa forcing Dean Henderson into a low save. The pressure mounted for Palace when they were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Eze was brought down by Boubacar Kamara. Mateta stepped up but saw his shot clip the post and go wide.
Just as Villa began to find their footing, Sarr struck in the 58th minute. After Mateta intercepted a pass, Sarr unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner, doubling Palace's lead. Henderson was kept busy, making crucial saves against Villa's attempts to claw back into the match, including a sharp volley from John McGinn and a close effort from Lucas Digne.
As the match progressed, Villa's frustrations grew, and Sarr sealed the win in stoppage time. Outpacing Konsa, he slotted home to send the Palace supporters into a frenzy, celebrating a long-awaited return to the FA Cup final.
Palace's victory was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline, as they managed to control the game effectively against a Villa side that had reached the Champions League quarter-finals earlier in the season. With this win, Palace not only secured their place in the final but also positioned themselves as serious contenders for their first major trophy.
With the final set to take place on May 17, 2025, Palace will face either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday. The anticipation is palpable among the Palace faithful, who are hopeful that this time their club can lift the coveted trophy.
As the players and fans bask in the glory of their semi-final triumph, the focus now shifts to the final, where a historic opportunity awaits. Can Crystal Palace finally break their trophy drought and claim the FA Cup? Only time will tell, but for now, the Eagles soar high, celebrating a remarkable achievement that has reignited their aspirations for silverware.
