Crystal Palace is riding high after a stunning 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on April 26, 2025. The win not only secured their place in the final but also marked a significant moment in the club's history as they chase their first major trophy.
Midfielder Adam Wharton, who played a pivotal role in the match, expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete against any opponent in the final. "I am not really too fussed who we face. I believe we can win whoever we play," Wharton stated after the match. His belief stems from a strong team performance, particularly after Ismaila Sarr scored a spectacular goal from outside the area, putting Palace two goals clear.
Wharton emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than worrying about their potential opponents. "We have just got to focus on ourselves and we have got to work harder than whoever we play and hopefully we can get the win," he added.
Crystal Palace's victory over Aston Villa is historic, as the club has never won a major trophy in its 118-year history. The FA Cup represents a golden opportunity for the Eagles, who are eager to change that narrative. Wharton believes this cup run is vital for the club, stating, "The FA Cup is a great opportunity for us as players, as fans, as a club to get Crystal Palace’s first trophy and we are confident we can do that."
Winning the FA Cup would also secure Crystal Palace a place in the Europa League, a competition they have not participated in for over 20 years. Wharton acknowledged the significance of this potential achievement, saying, "There is still a lot to play for in the league. I think we have four or five games left and then obviously the FA Cup final. We will take each game as it comes, we will try and win every single game like we have done the last couple of weeks."
As they prepare for the final, Wharton is keen to maintain their momentum, emphasizing the team's hard work and dedication. "We have not been saving ourselves just for this game and I am sure we have a good chance of qualifying for Europe," he remarked.
The semi-final was a culmination of a strong season for Crystal Palace, who have shown resilience and skill throughout the tournament. They executed their game plan effectively, staying compact and limiting Aston Villa's chances. Wharton noted, "We know they are a good team on the ball and they like to have a lot of possession, and they are good at that. If we pressed then they would break through us and get into the pockets where they are dangerous. We just tried to stay compact and limit their chances and I felt we were in control even when we did not have the ball. That was our game plan and we executed it well."
Looking ahead, Crystal Palace will face either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest in the final scheduled for next month. The other semi-final is set to take place on April 27, 2025, and the anticipation is building as fans eagerly await to see who will emerge to challenge the Eagles.
Ben Chilwell, the Chelsea loanee who has been a key addition to the squad, also contributed to the victory, playing the final six minutes of regulation and seven minutes of added time. He witnessed Sarr complete his brace, further solidifying the team's dominance in the match. This was Chilwell's ninth appearance since joining Palace in January, and while his future remains uncertain, he has a chance to leave a lasting legacy at the club if they can secure the trophy.
For Aston Villa, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their FA Cup journey, coming on the heels of a narrow exit from the Champions League against Manchester City just days prior. The loss adds to a challenging week for the Villains, who must now regroup and focus on their league campaign as they aim for a strong finish in the top five.
As Crystal Palace prepares for this monumental occasion, the excitement around the club is palpable. Fans are hopeful that this could be the year they finally lift a trophy, and the players are determined to make that dream a reality. With the final on the horizon, all eyes will be on Selhurst Park as the Eagles take flight toward potential glory.
