Marcus Rashford broke his four-month scoring drought to send Aston Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals with victory over Preston at Deepdale.
The on-loan forward’s last goals came for Manchester United against Everton in December.
But after a few wasted opportunities against the competition’s last remaining Championship outfit, Rashford finally found the target when he tapped home Lucas Digne’s 58th-minute cutback.
Five minutes later Rashford kept his nerve to send David Cornell the wrong way with his penalty after Morgan Rogers had been fouled by Andrew Hughes.
Rashford’s first goals since his double against Everton on 1 December ensured Villa retain hopes of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1957, if they can get past Crystal Palace in the semi-finals.
Preston battled hard but a clear gulf in class was only underlined by the absence through injury of first-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and on-loan defender Kaine Kasler-Hayden, who was unable to play against his parent club.
Once in front, Villa tightened their grip and Jacob Ramsey smashed in a third from the edge of the area 19 minutes from time, with Digne again the provider as Villa reached the last four for the first time in a decade.
