By Francis Ajuonuma with agency reports
Manchester City and Aston Villa have booked their place in the semi-finals of of the Emirates FA Cup to keep their trophy hopes for this season alive.
The Citizens yesterday came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Vitality Stadium to set up an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Evanilson’s scrambled 21st-minute finish put the Cherries ahead at half-time and left City boss Pep Guardiola facing the prospect of ending a campaign empty-handed for the first time since 2016-17, his debut season at the club.
Erling Haaland had a first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga and wasted two other golden opportunities as City struggled for rhythm in the face of Bournemouth’s intensity.
But Guardiola worked his magic at the break by sending on Nico O’Reilly for Abdukodir Khusanov, and four minutes into the second half the 20-year-old – operating at left-back – created the equaliser with a perfect cross for Haaland to turn in at the far post.
Another change, this time enforced, allowed City to go ahead after 63 minutes. O’Reilly played in Omar Marmoush, just on for the injured Haaland, and the Egypt attacker’s strike crept under Kepa who should have done better.
Earlier, yesterday, Aston Villa thrashed Championship, Preston North End 3-0 at the Deepdale to draw Crystal Palace in the second semi-final.
Marcus Rasford scored a brace, while Jacob Ramsey completed the victory.
In his post match reaction, Rashford said it was a “great feeling” to score his first goals in claret and blue having helped send Aston Villa to the FA Cup semi-finals.
The on-loan forward picked the perfect moment to get off the mark for the club as he slotted home a 58th-minute opener against Preston North End.
And Player of the Match Rashford duly doubled his tally from the penalty spot just five minutes later, with Jacob Ramsey adding a third as Villa recorded a 3-0 victory in the quarter-final tie at Deepdale.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said, speaking post-match.
“I feel like I’ve slowly been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here.
“So, it’s obviously nice for a forward to always get goals.
“Hopefully it continues.”
