Crystal Palace – Aston Villa: Palace’s Pressing Masterclass (3-0)

Oliver Glasner's side won this game with an excellent display of midfield pressing and transition football. Aston Villa had the majority of possession, but Palace's 5-2-3 defensive scheme gave little away, while the likes of Ismaïla Sarr and Eberechi Eze proved lethal in attack.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Crystal Palace faced Aston Villa in the first of this season's FA Cup semi-finals. Palace took a point from Arsenal last time out, but have had an unremarkable Premier League season overall, finding themselves very much in midtable. Villa meanwhile are competing for Europe and came into this game on the back of an impressive win over Newcastle.

Oliver Glasner's side lined up in a 3-4-3 shape here, with Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guéhi in the back three. Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell were the wing-backs, while Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada were in central midfield. Ismaïla Sarr, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta then started up front.

Unai Emery's Villa team started in a 4-2-3-1 system, with a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne. Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans were the double pivot, while Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, and John McGinn were the attacking midfield trio behind striker Ollie Watkins.

Palace pressing and . . .