Crystal Palace and Aston Villa battle for a place in the FA Cup final in an intriguing last-four encounter at Wembley. An unpredictable edition of the world’s oldest cup competition has seen most of the Premier League’s top sides fail to make the last four,

Jean-Philippe Mateta was denied an opener having fouled Ezri Konsa on his route to goal, but Eberechi Eze ensured Palace broke the deadlock by firing past Emi Martinez from distance in the 31st minute. Konsa came close to equalising shortly after Villa fell behind, but Dean Henderson got down well to keep out his header.

Aston Villa may have support of the proverbial Palace, but it is the venerable Palace of south-east London who return to Wembley on May 17 for a shot at greatness.