Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four.
Villa will face Crystal Palace, 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday, in the semi-finals at Wembley on the weekend of April 26 to 27.
Revitalised since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that made him one of England’s brightest stars prior to his steep decline over the last two years.
Amid concerns over his attitude and off-field behaviour, Rashford was deemed expendable by United manager Ruben Amorim, after also clashing with former Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag.
The 27-year-old hadn’t scored since netting for United against Everton on December 1.
Deployed in the central striker’s role that often seemed to dent his confidence at United, Rashford was too dynamic for second-tier Preston to handle in the latest sign that his career might not be destined to end in disappointment after all.
“It’s a great feeling, I feel like I’ve been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here. It’s always nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully it continues,” Rashford said.
“I missed a lot of football before joining up with Villa. It’s step by step. My body feels good and I’m enjoying my football for now,” he added. “We’re very ambitious. We’ll see where it takes us.”
While struggling United have been mired in turmoil, Rashford has benefited from moving to upwardly mobile Villa.
Meanwhile, Manchester City came from behind to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for a record seventh consecutive season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, but victory came at a cost as Erling Haaland hobbled off injured.
Haaland had seen a first-half penalty saved before Evanilson put the Cherries in front.
The Norwegian made amends by equalising four minutes into the second period before being forced off with an ankle injury.
His replacement, Omar Marmoush, took just two minutes to score the winner from a second assist by the impressive Nico O’Reilly as City booked a semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest.
“Seven times in a row reaching semi-finals in the FA Cup – this is outstanding. This generation of players, they have done this,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.
City have been a shadow of the side that won four consecutive Premier League titles this season and Guardiola said prior to the game that even FA Cup glory would not save a miserable season.
The English champions’ collapse in the Premier League began at Bournemouth back in November with a 2-1 defeat that kicked off a run of six defeats in eight games.
But Guardiola hailed the difference in attitude in his side between then and now.
“We came here in November with the flip flops on against a team that if you don’t compete, it is impossible,” added Guardiola.
“In football you have to run,” he added. “People say about my teams ‘how good they play’ but no, it is how much we run, how much we fight and for many games this season it didn’t happen.” (AFP)
