Goals from Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr sent Crystal Palace to their first Emirates FA Cup Final in nine years with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.
A pulsating encounter was ultimately decided by two goals of the highest quality, as Eze put Palace ahead after half an hour with a stunning curled effort from just outside the box before Sarr drilled home to double the lead just before the hour.
It proved a timely second for Palace, after Jean-Philippe Mateta had missed a penalty for the Eagles just a minute earlier, but it was not enough to dampen a famous afternoon for the South Londoners.
Villa pushed hard for a way back into the contest but were unable to find a way past a resolute Crystal Palace defence, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson producing a handful of fine saves.
The Eagles then wrapped up victory in style, as Sarr broke free in stoppage time to slot home for his second, and Palace's third, of the afternoon.
Palace fans will return to Wembley on 17 May, where they will face the winner of Sunday's second semi-final between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
A nervy start at Wembley yielded few chances for either side, with Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara’s wayward strike from the edge of the box the closest either side came in the opening quarter of an hour.
Kamara was then the first player into Anthony Taylor’s notebook, as the Frenchman saw yellow for scything down Mateta. Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell joined him two minutes later for pulling down Morgan Rogers, who then passed up the first true sight of goal in the contest.
Lucas Digne’s cross found its way all the way through to Rogers unmarked at the far post, but his shot into the ground was just wide of the target.
Both sides were growing into the contest and Mateta thought he had put Palace ahead when he slotted past Emi Martinez, only to be pulled back for a foul on Ezri Konsa.
Palace then had the lead for good just two minutes later, as Eze superbly curled home from the edge of the box after Sarr cut the ball back for his team-mate to hit first time and past Emi Martinez.
A moment of ✨magic✨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3oG5yBQmi2
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2025
The London side had all the momentum after taking the lead and came close to doubling their advantage after a marauding run down the wing from Mateta, but Sarr was unable to direct his header on target.
That sparked Villa into life and Unai Emery’s side had their best chance of the half just moments later, as Youri Tielemans’ header from a corner forced a strong reaction save out of Dean Henderson.
But Palace continued to threaten, particularly on the break, and Mitchell passed up a golden chance to send his side into the break 2-0 up; the defender could only miskick at the vital moment after the ball was pulled back towards the penalty spot.
The first chance of the second half went the way of Villa, as John McGinn did well to direct a half volley goalward and require a save from Henderson.
The Palace ‘keeper was in action again from the ensuing corner, as he got down well to tip Digne’s speculative long-range effort round the post.
The Eagles then had the perfect opportunity to take full control of the semi-final when Eze was brought down in the box by Kamara, but Mateta’s effort from 12 yards clipped the post and went wide.
It did not take long for Palace to make amends, as Sarr drilled home the edge of the box to double the Londoners’ lead. Adam Wharton won possession high up the pitch and found Mateta, who immediately passed to Sarr and the Senegalese kept his effort low and hard to fire past Martinez.
A special moment 💙❤️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2025
The passion from the @CPFC players 😍#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/qNVGktF52T
Villa looked for a way back into the contest but were met with brave defence from Palace. Chris Richards first headed an effort off the line before Leon Bailey’s shot a few minutes later was blocked by a mass of bodies.
Oliver Glasner's side remained a threat despite Villa pushing for a goal, and Sarr missed a chance to put the tie to bed when his header was just wide from close range.
Emery rang the changes in an attempt to produce a grandstand finish, but could only come as close as a Matty Cash strike from a narrow angle that went wide of the post.
Sarr then capped a fine individual performance with his second goal of the match to seal victory for Palace, as Eddie Nketiah robbed Konsa high up the pitch and slotted in Sarr who made no mistake to calmly finish the contest.
