London, England — Crystal Palace score 3-0 win against Aston Villa for FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium on April 26, 2025. This victory sends the Eagles to their first FA Cup Final since 2016, as they aim for their first major trophy in club history.
The match was a showcase of skill and composure, starting with Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike in the 31st minute. Eze took a pass from Ismaila Sarr and unleashed a beautiful shot from 22 yards out, bending the ball into the net, sending the Palace fans into uproar.
“What a strike that is! 23 yards out and into the roof of the net,” exclaimed former England striker Alan Shearer. “That finish is exceptional.”
Just after halftime, Villa had a chance to level the score when Jean-Philippe Mateta won a penalty. Unfortunately for Palace, Mateta’s shot clipped the outside of the post, missing the opportunity to extend their lead.
Minutes later, Sarr made Villa pay for that miss by firing a powerful shot from distance into the bottom corner in the 58th minute, giving Palace a 2-0 cushion.
Sarr wasn’t done there. He sealed the victory with his second goal in stoppage time, slipping in a well-placed shot past Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after a quick counterattack.
“Eddie Nketiah won the ball back and released Sarr to finish brilliantly,” said Shearer during the commentary. “That is a magnificent strike and a great goal.”
After the match, Palace’s manager, Oliver Glasner, was cautious in discussing the upcoming final. “I don’t want to talk about the final today. Every game is important, and the players can party tonight,” he said. “It’s a great moment for us.”
On the flip side, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expressed disappointment at the loss but maintained focus on their ambitions for the Premier League. “Our priority is the Premier League,” he said. “I am sorry to the supporters, but I dominate my frustration.”
Palace’s captain, Marc Guehi, highlighted the team’s spirit throughout the match. “It was a really tough game against good opposition. In those games, it’s about moments. We showed a real togetherness,” Guehi stated.
The match drew an impressive attendance of 82,301 at Wembley, with the electric atmosphere powering the Eagles to a thrilling victory. With this form, Crystal Palace will face either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City in the FA Cup final scheduled for May 17, 2025. Eze confidently stated, “We want to go all the way and believe we can do it.”
Crystal Palace’s victory was not just a win; it was a declaration that they could hang with the best as they aim for the elusive trophy that has continued to evade them.
