Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa suffered FA Cup semi-final agony as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Eberechi Eze’s 20-yard strike proved the difference at half-time, with Ezri Konsa’s header forcing a fine save from Dean Henderson.

The Eagles goalkeeper was at it again early in the second period to thwart captain John McGinn and keep out Lucas Digne’s long-range effort.

Villa saw Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 53^rd-minute penalty hit the outside of a post and fly wide, but Ismaila Sarr doubled Palace’s advantage with a low drive from distance shortly afterwards.

Substitute Leon Bailey came close to reducing the arrears, yet Unai Emery’s side could find no response as Palace booked their place in the final of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition, Sarr adding a third for the south London side in injury time.

It was the club’s first outing at the national stadium since 2020 and first FA Cup semi-final for 10 years.

However, Villa’s search for silverware came to an agonising end, with full focus now switching to securing a top-five finish in the Premier League.

McGinn, Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio returned to Villa’s starting XI as Emery made three changes from Tuesday’s Premier League clash at Manchester City.

The 82,301 supporters under the arch created a special atmosphere ahead of kick-off as claret and blue flags, banners and an iconic lion tifo decorated the east side of the famous stadium, while ‘Hi Ho Aston Villa’ echoed around the stands.

Villa, who went into the encounter having won 10 of their previous 12 matches since facing Palace in the top flight in February, dominated possession inside the opening quarter, but Boubacar Kamara’s speculative long-range strike off target proved to be only attempt on goal for either side.

Morgan Rogers sent a right-footed half-volley wide of the far post after Digne’s cross evaded everyone in the penalty area.

Yet it was Palace who opened the scoring with the first shot on target just after the half-hour mark, as Sarr played the ball inside to Eze and his first-time 20-yard strike flew over Emi Martínez.

Konsa’s header from Asensio’s corner forced a great save from Henderson in the 39^th minute, before Villa were handed a let-off prior to the interval as Tyrick Mitchell missed the ball with the goal at his mercy from Sarr’s low cross.

McGinn’s sweeping strike from 12 yards forced a reflex save from Henderson at the start of the second period, while Digne‘s stinging long-range effort, which looked destined for the bottom corner, was tipped around a post.

Villa’s momentum appeared to be halted as Kamara was adjudged to have tripped Eze in the area, but Mateta’s spot-kick hit the outside of a post as it flew wide, with Martínez dropping to the turf and pointing to the sky in celebration.

However, Villa soon found themselves two goals down as the Eagles won possession in a dangerous area and Sarr beat Martínez with a low 25-yard drive into the bottom corner.

Manager Emery turned to Bailey and Ian Maatsen and the former almost reduced the arrears shortly after coming on, his strike deflecting off a sea of bodies and over the crossbar.

Jacob Ramsey and Ross Barkley were introduced in the 70^th minute before Bailey forced another solid save from Henderson.

An unmarked Sarr headed wide for Palace before Cash flashed an effort across goal at the other end.

And as Villa chased a late lifeline, it was Palace who added a third in the 94^th minute as Sarr raced clear and slotted beyond Martínez, emerging victorious for the third time in four meetings this season.