Marcus Rashford double and Jacob Ramsey goal fires slick Aston Villa into FA Cup semi-finals with win over Preston

Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Aston Villa as the Premier League side broke a spirited Preston North End's resistance with a 3-0 win in their quarter-final at Deepdale.

The Championship side did well to hold Unai Emery's side to a goalless first half on Sunday before Villa finally found their range with the on-loan Manchester United forward converting Lucas Digne's pass on 58 minutes.

He added an assured second from the penalty spot five minutes later after Andrew Hughes had felled Morgan Rogers.

With Preston clearly wilting in their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 60 years, the excellent Jacob Ramsey drove at the home defence before smashing the finish into the net for the killer third on 71 minutes.

It keeps Villa in the frame for lifting a first major trophy since the League Cup in 1996 when Brian Little's side defeated Leeds United 3-0 at the old Wembley.

The draw for the semi-finals handed Villa a Wembley date with Crystal Palace on the weekend of April 26/27, with Nottingham Forest paired with the winner of Bournemouth v Manchester City.

"It's a great feeling, I feel like I've been getting fitter and playing better football since I've been here. It's always nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully, it continues," he told the BBC after the dominant 3-0 win at Preston.

"We have to take it one game at a time, and give it 100% on the pitch and see where it takes us. We're very ambitious.

"Step by step. I think I can still get fitter. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them. My body feels good, and I'm enjoying my football for now."

Ties to be played April 26/27 at Wembley Stadium.

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The Championship side did well to remain in the hunt at half-time, but Villa found another gear in the second half to secure a smooth passage to the semi-finals. A job well done in the end for the Premier League team. Fine match, but Villa are deserving winners.

VILLA FANS READY FOR THEIR TRIP TO WEMBLEY

First up is the small matter of a journey to Paris for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Which is going to resemble nothing like this match as Ramsey sees an effort deflect inches wide of the target. Two minutes added to the 90.

He last scored a double for Manchester United in this famous competition against Reading in a 4-0 win at Old Trafford in January 2017.

Preston opt to bring on Theo Mawene to replace Stefán Thórdarson as Theo Carrol is on for Mads Frökjaer-Jensen.

Preston all over the place at the back as Watkins flicks a header wide from the Digne cross before the England forward smashes a shot inches wide from Kamara's pass when you expected the net to ripple. Somehow it remains 3-0.

Marcus Rashford makes way for Ollie Watkins with Matty Cash off and on comes Andres García.

Liam Lindsay replaces Jayden Meghoma with Ched Evans taking over from Emil Riis. A hard shift for the white shirts.

The romance of the FA Cup perhaps dies for many with Preston losing. Villa will join Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City or Bournemouth in the last four. The FA Cup remains a competition for the strongest. Draw will be made after this match.

Good time to empty the bench with Marco Asensio, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans departing and on comes super John McGinn, Donyell Malen and Amadou Onana. More goals in this you suspect for Villa if they want them.

The John McGinn song is given an airing by the Villa fans. Nice time to get the old songbook on the go when your side are three up and coasting. Emery looking a lot more content with his lot too. Milutin Osmajic has replaced Will Keane for Preston, but this is a done deal.

And that is surely game over at Deepdale as Ramsey drives at the heart of the Preston defence before slamming the finish beyond Cornell. All too easy for Villa, but a lovely finish none the less.

Cornell has had a very sound game today as he comes off his line to narrow the angle and halt the Rodgers finish. Almost three.

Not yet any tunes about seeing Preston fans sneaking out, but another Villa goal here would surely kill this match stone dead. Benjamin Whiteman is booked for taking out Rogers.

Showing what he can offer today when the chips are down in this quarter-final. Villa with one foot in the semi-final draw.

Cue the songs about Wembley and suddenly the Sunday trip to Preston is a whole lot more enjoyable. Should have been two clear before Rashford struck his second after Rogers saw a shot scramble off line, but no matter. 2-0 looks like a winning hand now.

You wait for one bus and then two come along at the same time as Rashford sends Cornell the wrong way from the spot. He dived right, ball went to his left. 2-0 to the visitors after Hughes stood on the boot of Rogers. Soft, but correct call.