Why Marcus Rashford is missing from Aston Villa squad for FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace today

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·26 April 2025

Why Marcus Rashford is missing from Aston Villa squad for FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace today

Villa’s on loan forward is not involved in this afternoon’s FA Cup semi-final showdown at Wembley

Absent: Marcus Rashford

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Aston Villa forward Marcus Rashford misses today’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace through injury, Unai Emery has confirmed.

Rashford had been ever-present for Villa in the competition since joining on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window.

He claimed an assist in the round four win over Tottenham before following that up with a brace in the quarter-final victory against Championship outfit Preston.

Rashford was also in great form heading into the cup tie. He impressed as Villa came up short in their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain and scored from the spot in the 2-1 loss to Manchester City in midweek.

However, an unspecified injury issue means he will play no part at Wembley as Villa look to book a place in next month’s FA Cup final against either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City.

"He's injured,” the Emery told reporters.

In Rashford’s absence, Ollie Watkins leads the line for Villa at Wembley and Emery is backing the England international to rise to the occasion.

"It is our challenge, collectively and secondly individually to try get out best performances,” the Villa boss added. “Overall, we're performing very well.

"Now, we are in a good moment. Today without Rashford, but Ollie Watkins is playing really well and he is feeling good, he is feeling confident.

“He is scoring goals in the last matches that he's played."