The FA Cup semifinals are set, promising a slightly different lineup than usual. While Manchester City, a frequent winner, remains, they are joined by Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, teams for whom Wembley trips often mean playoff tension rather than FA Cup glory dreams.
Crystal Palace secured their semifinal spot first, impressively defeating Fulham away. Nottingham Forest reached the semifinals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Brighton.
Aston Villa enjoyed a comfortable win, overcoming Preston North End 3-0. Manchester City faced a tougher challenge against Bournemouth, going behind at halftime. However, a strong performance, especially from substitute Nico O`Reilly, turned the game around, securing their place in the semifinals.
Semifinal Draw
- Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa
- Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City
Matches are scheduled for the weekend of April 26th and 27th.
Crystal Palace
Best finish: Runners-up (1990, 2016) — For Crystal Palace, the absence of Manchester United in the semifinals is a positive sign, as Manchester United defeated them in their previous two FA Cup final appearances. Crystal Palace is still seeking their first major cup title.
How they got here: Eberechi Eze shone in the 3-0 victory against Fulham, scoring one goal and assisting another. Crystal Palace defeated Premier League opposition Fulham after earlier wins against lower league teams.
Chances of winning it: Crystal Palace might be the most in-form team left in the competition, with a strong recent record. They recently defeated Aston Villa convincingly in the league.
Aston Villa
Best finish: Winners (1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957) — Aston Villa is a historically significant club, but FA Cup success has been rare in recent times. They have only reached the final twice since their last win, losing on both occasions.
How they got here: Aston Villa has navigated a demanding season to reach the semifinals. They defeated West Ham and Tottenham at home and then overcame Cardiff. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, played a key role in the sixth-round victory.
Chances of winning it: Aston Villa possesses impressive squad depth, allowing them to compete on multiple fronts, including the Champions League quarterfinals. The question is whether they will have enough rest amidst a busy schedule.
Nottingham Forest
Best finish: Winners (1898, 1959) — Similar to Aston Villa, FA Cup glory is distant for Nottingham Forest. Their most notable FA Cup moment is perhaps their 1991 final loss to Tottenham. Reaching the semifinal this season is their best run in the competition for many years.
How they got here: Nottingham Forest`s cup run has been dramatic. After an initial win against Luton, every subsequent match went to the wire, with penalty shootout victories against Exeter City, Ipswich, and Brighton.
Chances of winning it: Underestimating Nottingham Forest would be unwise, especially considering their past cup upsets. Their defensive style can be effective in cup competitions. However, their underlying performance metrics suggest they might be overperforming their expected level of success.
Manchester City
Best finish: Winners (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023) — A victory this year would put Manchester City level with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham in FA Cup wins. They have consistently reached the semifinals recently, but have a mixed record in finals.
How they got here: Manchester City had a relatively straightforward path to the semifinals, including a high-scoring win against Salford City. They overcame a deficit against Leyton Orient and secured a comeback win against Bournemouth.
Chances of winning it: Manchester City is the favorite. At their best, they are difficult to beat. However, they have shown vulnerability this season, particularly against counter-attacking teams like their semifinal opponents. Despite this, they remain the most likely team to win the FA Cup.
Dominic Ashworth