The FA Cup semifinals are set, and this season`s lineup offers a slightly different flavor compared to usual. While Manchester City, a frequent contender, remains in the mix, they are joined by three Premier League teams typically found in the mid-table. For these clubs, a trip to Wembley often signifies the high stakes of a playoff final rather than the dream of FA Cup glory.
Crystal Palace secured their semifinal spot first, delivering a dominant away victory against Fulham. Nottingham Forest endured a tense shootout to overcome Brighton & Hove Albion.
Aston Villa enjoyed a more comfortable Sunday, defeating Preston North End 3-0. Meanwhile, Manchester City faced a halftime scare against Bournemouth after Evanilson scored. However, Pep Guardiola`s team rallied, inspired by substitute Nico O`Reilly, who provided assists for Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush to secure the win.
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) — Fortunately for Palace, Manchester United is not in the semifinals, as they have been a stumbling block in Palace`s previous final appearances. Palace is still seeking their first major cup title, depending on how one classifies the Full Members` Cup.
How they got here: Eberechi Eze shone brightly in their 3-0 away win against Fulham, scoring the opener and setting up another goal. Eddie Nketiah added a third, marking a stylish end to a series of 2-0 away wins.
Fulham was the first Premier League team Palace defeated in this FA Cup run, following wins against Stockport, Doncaster, and Millwall.
Chances of winning it: Palace might be the most in-form team remaining, having won their last five matches across all competitions, with a record of 10 wins, one draw, and two losses in 2025. They recently defeated Villa convincingly at home, with Eze playing exceptionally well.
Aston Villa
Best finish: Winners (1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957) — Aston Villa is a historic club, but recent FA Cup success has been rare. Since their last win, they`ve only reached the final twice, losing to Chelsea in 2000 and Arsenal in 2015.
How they got here: Villa has navigated a demanding season to reach the semifinals impressively. They defeated West Ham and Tottenham 2-1 at home, with Morgan Rogers scoring in both matches. Cardiff was then defeated, and Marcus Rashford scored twice in the sixth round against Preston.
Chances of winning it: Villa possesses impressive squad depth, crucial for competing on multiple fronts, including a Champions League quarterfinal campaign. The question is whether a week`s rest will be sufficient for a squad that has shown signs of fatigue, despite rotation, especially with upcoming Champions League and Premier League fixtures.
Nottingham Forest
Best finish: Winners (1898, 1959) — Like Villa, Forest`s FA Cup history is not recently decorated. For many, their FA Cup story is defined by their 1991 final loss to Tottenham under Brian Clough. Regardless of the semifinal outcome, this season marks Forest`s deepest FA Cup run since then.
How they got here: Forest`s journey has been dramatic, starting with a straightforward win over Luton. Subsequent matches against Exeter City, Ipswich, and Brighton all went to penalties, with Matz Sels proving to be the hero in goal.
Chances of winning it: Underestimating Nottingham Forest could be risky, given their history of upsets. Their defensive and counter-attacking style is well-suited for cup competitions. In this FA Cup run, they have been defensively solid, limiting opponents to low expected goals.
However, their underlying performance metrics suggest they might be slightly above average but not necessarily FA Cup winners. It remains to be seen if they can continue to defy expectations.
Manchester City
Best finish: Winners (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023) — A victory in May would put Pep Guardiola`s City level with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham in FA Cup titles. City has reached the semifinals in the last seven years, reaching three finals and winning one.
How they got here: City has had a relatively smooth path, defeating Salford City and Leyton Orient before overcoming Plymouth Argyle and Bournemouth.
Chances of winning it: City is the strong favorite. At their peak, they are arguably unbeatable in this competition. However, they have shown vulnerabilities this season, particularly against counter-attacking teams like Forest, Palace, and Villa.
Still, they remain the most likely team to reach the final and potentially lift the trophy. If another team were to win, it would be a significant FA Cup upset.
