English FA Cup: Manchester City and Aston Villa Advance with Crucial Wins
In a thrilling weekend of FA Cup action, both Manchester City and Aston Villa secured their spots in the semifinals, showcasing resilience and skill in their respective matches.
Manchester City came from behind to defeat Bournemouth 2-1, but the victory came at a cost as star striker Erling Haaland hobbled off with an ankle injury. The Norwegian had a frustrating first half, missing a penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga and squandering a couple of scoring opportunities. Bournemouth capitalized on a defensive error to take the lead through Evanilson in the 21st minute.
City responded strongly after the break, with Haaland equalizing just four minutes in, marking his 30th goal of the season. However, he was forced off shortly after due to the injury, raising concerns for manager Pep Guardiola as City battles for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Substitute Omar Marmoush, who joined City in January for £59 million, quickly made his mark by scoring the winning goal just two minutes after coming on, capitalizing on a pass from Nico O’Reilly. Despite a late chance for James McAtee, City held on for the win, advancing to the semifinals for a record seventh consecutive season. Guardiola celebrated the victory, recognizing that the FA Cup represents their last chance for silverware this season.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Preston, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice to lead his team to the semifinals for the first time in a decade. The loan signing from Manchester United has revitalized his career at Villa, showcasing the form that once made him a standout player for England.
Rashford opened the scoring in the 58th minute, finishing off a low cross from Lucas Digne. He doubled Villa’s lead with a penalty in the 63rd minute after being fouled in the box. Jacob Ramsey sealed the win with a powerful strike in the 71st minute, confirming Villa’s dominance in the match.
Having not won the FA Cup since 1957, Villa is eager to make a deep run in the tournament. With Rashford finding his stride and the team enjoying a successful campaign, including a run to the Champions League quarterfinals, hopes are high for a memorable end to the season.
