2025 FA Cup Semi-Final Preview - Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa: Can the Eagles fly past the Villans to reach the FA Cup Finals? April 24, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium this Saturday, April 26, at 5:15 PM BST, as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa face off in a highly anticipated Emirates FA Cup semi-final showdown. With a coveted spot in the final on the line, this encounter promises to be a thrilling display of strategy, flair, and competitive fire.

Form Guide and Road to Wembley

Crystal Palace enter the semi-final in red-hot form, riding a five-match winning streak across all competitions. Their commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham in the quarter-finals, inspired by Eberechi Eze’s goal and assist, underlines their ambition to make history. This marks their first semi-final appearance since 2022, and they are eager to go further.

Aston Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, have shown resilience and tactical intelligence en route to their first FA Cup semi-final since 2015. A dominant 3-0 win over Preston North End — powered by a Marcus Rashford brace — sealed their spot. Villa's consistent Premier League form, including a clinical 1-0 win against Newcastle, speaks volumes about their overall strength this season.

Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa Sports Bet Odds

The Villans are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Villans are favored by 1 point, with a full-time result of 2.15.
• The Eagles are the underdogs by 1 point, with a full-time result of 3.30.
• Draw has a full-time result of 3.40.
• Total Goals is set at 2.5 points, with the Under at 1.80 and the Over at 2.00.

Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa Head-to-Head Matchup

In FA Cup history, Aston Villa have held the upper hand, knocking Palace out in all three previous encounters — including a resounding 5-0 win back in the 1912-13 season. However, more recent Premier League meetings have painted a different picture, with Palace proving to be a formidable opponent in domestic clashes.

Tactical Matchups and Players to Watch

This tie is set to feature fascinating individual battles across the pitch. Marcus Rashford, revitalized since his loan arrival at Villa, brings pace, directness, and top-tier quality, ranking among the Premier League's fastest players. He will likely be challenged by Maxence Lacroix, Palace’s pacey and tough-tackling Bundesliga recruit.

Midfield control could hinge on the duel between Youri Tielemans, Villa’s creative heartbeat, and Crystal Palace’s disciplined enforcer Adam Wharton. Another crucial matchup sees Villa’s Ezri Konsa face off with Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is enjoying a prolific run-in front of goal.

Palace will look to Eze and Mateta to provide attacking inspiration, while Villa’s approach under Emery leans on swift, incisive attacks through focal point Ollie Watkins — a strategy that has paid off throughout their cup campaign.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has voiced concerns over the scheduling — with just 24 hours between Palace’s league fixture and Villa’s midweek clash with Manchester City — potentially impacting recovery and preparation. Nonetheless, he remains committed to fielding a strong XI to chase cup glory.

Villa, meanwhile, are bolstered by greater squad depth. With few injury concerns and impactful additions like Rashford and Asensio, Emery’s side looks well-equipped to handle the pressure. Still, financial considerations and Champions League ambitions could shape their long-term outlook beyond the cup.

Expected line-ups suggest Palace will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Henderson in goal, while Villa are likely to stick with a back four featuring Cash, Konsa, Torres, and Digne, with Martinez between the posts and Kamara-Tielemans anchoring the midfield.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 FA Cup semi-final between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa is poised to deliver drama, intensity, and memorable moments on one of football’s grandest stages. With a place in the final at stake, both teams will leave nothing to chance in pursuit of silverware.

This is more than just a football match — it is a chapter in the rich tapestry of FA Cup history. As fans around the world tune in, they will witness a contest that embodies the passion, unpredictability, and tradition of England’s oldest knockout competition. Wembley awaits. Let the drama unfold.