Preston 0-3 Aston Villa: Marcus Rashford at the double as first goals for new club seal FA Cup semi-final spot at Wembley – with Jacob Ramsey also on target

Just when they thought their season had hit rock bottom, now Manchester United must watch their exiled homegrown hero try to lead Aston Villa into the FA Cup final.

Marcus Rashford was practically shoved out of the Old Trafford door when he was allowed to move on loan to Villa during the winter transfer window. 

Since then the 27-year-old has regained his place in the England squad and claimed his first goals since December 1 to sink Preston and send Villa into the semi-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace.

Where many believed Rashford’s career had reached the end of the line, Emery saw a player capable of producing the moments that could turn tricky matches Villa’s way.

For large parts of games, Rashford and fellow loanee Marco Asensio can appear passengers – until they deliver the magic that has made them two of Europe’s most effective forwards at different times of their careers. Rashford has two goals and four assists for Villa, Asensio seven goals. That is how to make your mark as a loan player.

While it is legitimate to question Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim’s handling of Rashford, this day belonged to Villa. With a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to as well as the Wembley fixture, this could be the most memorable season for the club since they lifted the European Cup in 1982.

Rashford broke the deadlock against Preston after touching home from Lucas Digne’s cross

The forward, on loan from Manchester United, then scored his second from the penalty spot

After a goalless first half, Rashford rounded off an excellent move with nearly an hour gone and converted a penalty five minutes later. Jacob Ramsey added a third with 19 minutes remaining. Thanks to Emery’s know-how in cup competitions and the depth of their squad, nobody will fancy drawing Villa in the semis.

Knowing the opportunity at hand, Emery picked a strong starting XI, including Rashford and Asensio from the off. At the back, Villa had a shaky moment early when Lucas Digne misplaced a pass towards Ezri Konsa and Will Keane tried to buy a penalty from the back-tracking Youri Tielemans. No chance, said referee Chris Kavanagh.

With the noise of popping balloons, which were covering the pitch, setting an unusual soundtrack, Rashford hit a free-kick straight at Dai Cornell – deputising for injured first choice Freddie Woodman – and Ezri Konsa failed to hit the target when Asensio’s cross found him unmarked six yards out.

When Asensio plays, Morgan Rogers shifts to the right – yet he yearns to play in the middle. The England international was shackled well in the first half, Lewis Gibson sticking to him well at one stage as he burst into the box.

Digne wasted another free-kick from an enticing spot before Preston saw the best chance of the half come and go. Emi Martinez flapped at Robbie Brady’s cross, Mads Frokjaer headed it back into the centre only for Stefan Thordarson to nod wide with Martinez stranded.

At the other end, Konsa squandered another headed chance – this time a more difficult one – from Rashford’s cross.

Then Rashford had a fabulous chance to put Villa ahead early in the second half. When a Preston move broke down, Villa found themselves three-against-two. Rogers fed Rashford instead of Asensio and Rashford produced two weak finishes from inside the area.

But Rashford made no mistake just before the hour mark as Villa broke through. After some slick play in the centre, Ramsey found Digne. He squared for Rashford, whose first-time finish did the rest.

With Villa cruising to Wembley, Jacob Ramsey blasted in their third goal at Deepdale

This season is shaping up to be the club’s most memorable since they won the European Cup

Rashford has two goals and four assists for Villa since being exiled at Old Trafford

Unai Emery winced as his side missed several golden chances to increase their advantage

Rashford nearly created another seconds later with a super piece of skill and cross for Rogers, who was denied only by Jayden Meghoma’s block on the goalline.

Villa did not have to wait long to make the game safe. Andrew Hughes upended Rogers in the box and though Asensio converted Villa’s last spot-kick, he left it to Rashford this time. After a deliberate run-up, Rashford sent Cornell the wrong way and suddenly Villa were cruising. 

Ramsey’s precise strike put the seal on it and while Rashford was denied the chance of a hat-trick when he was replaced by Ollie Watkins, he will look ahead to Wednesday’s trip to Brighton with confidence. That could be crucial for Champions League qualification next season.

Such is the strength of Villa’s attacking division, Rashford might not even start the game. What a frightening prospect for Villa’s opponents – and how exciting for their supporters.