London, England — Crystal Palace dey prepare to face Aston Villa for di 2025 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. ET. Dis go be di club’s seventh time for semi-final, and dem get history wey go back 163 years for di tournament.
The Eagles don make big memories in FA Cup semi-finals, and this weekend, dem hope to add another chapter to dia history. Di first semi-final wey Palace play na back in 1872, when dem face Royal Engineers for Kennington Oval, but dem lose 3-0.
Fast forward to 1976, di Eagles come make a proper impact under Malcolm Allison as dem reach semi-final against Southampton. Palce don beat teams wey dem suppose to clear easily like Walton & Hersham and also upset First Division teams like Leeds United and Chelsea along di way, but dem still no fit reach di final, losing 2-0 to Southampton.
In 1990, after dem get a morale-lifting 4-3 win against Liverpool after extra time, Palace finally reach di FA Cup final, but dem draw 3-3 against Manchester United before dem lose 1-0 in di replay. Dis match go down as one of di classic games in FA Cup history.
For the 2016 semi-final, Palace face Watford again at di new Wembley. Goals from Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham help dem secure 2-1 win, but dem later lose to Manchester United once more in di final.
As Palace prepare for dis upcoming clash against Aston Villa, including their past four meetings where Palace don record three wins, di team dey confident. Adam Wharton, midfielder for di club, talk say dem ready to compete against any opponent in di final as them don secure spot by beating Villa 3-0 in dis semi-final. ”I am not really too fussed who we face. I believe we can win whoever we play,” Wharton state.
Di last time Palace face Villa na Feb 25, where dem win 4-1 in Premier League. Recently, dem come off a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Even though Villa get +120 odds to win, di Eagles sabi how to upset di odds.
“Both teams to score don pay off for 23 of Aston Villa’s 34 league games dis season,” sports analyst Martin Green talk, as he prepare for di match. Dis semi-final go decide who fit challenge for di FA Cup glory.
Crystal Palace’s path to Wembley dis season don involved strong performances, limiting opponent chances and executing strategic game plans. Wharton praise dia teamwork, noting how dem control di game even without possession.
As di anticipated final approach, di players and fans dey hopeful say dis fit be dia chance to lift dia first major trophy ever. Di winner of dis semi-final go face either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest for di final set for next month, as di other semi-final go hold on April 27.
Aston Villa don face challenges after di latest defeat, but dem go need to shift focus to finish strong in di league. Dis semi-final go take Palace closer to a potential Europa League place if dem win di FA Cup, and dat alone dey motivate dem.
Excitement dey build around Selhurst Park, as fans dey ready to cheer dem team. Crystal Palace no only dey chase glory; dem dey determined to add to dia rich history with a major trophy on di line.
