FA Cup Quarter-finals 2024/25: Bournemouth Set for Man City Test, Preston Welcome Aston Villa

The FA Cup quarter-final draw for the 2024/25 season has thrown up some intriguing matchups, with Bournemouth facing a stern test against defending champions Manchester City. Meanwhile, Preston North End, the only Championship club remaining, will host Aston Villa in a bid to keep their cup dreams alive.

Elsewhere, Fulham and Crystal Palace will meet in a high-stakes London derby, while Brighton awaits the winner of Nottingham Forest versus Ipswich, who are set to battle in their fifth-round tie on Monday.

Bournemouth Braces for City Challenge

Bournemouth will have the advantage of playing at home, but they will need to produce something special to overcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The reigning champions remain the favorites to lift the trophy, especially with other traditional powerhouses having been eliminated.

City, who triumphed in the competition last season, will be looking to extend their dominance. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have never won the FA Cup, making this a golden opportunity for them to create history.

Championship Side Preston Host Aston Villa

Preston North End stand as the only non-Premier League club left in the competition and will be eager to prove their mettle against Unai Emery’s high-flying Aston Villa. Playing at Deepdale, the Championship side will hope to pull off a giant-killing act against the in-form Villans.

Aston Villa have been enjoying an impressive campaign, and with European qualification on their agenda, they will be keen to add FA Cup success to their season’s ambitions. However, with the unpredictability of the competition, Preston will be dreaming of a semifinal spot.

London Derby: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace

A capital showdown awaits as Fulham and Crystal Palace lock horns in the last eight. Both teams have never lifted the FA Cup, making this a significant opportunity to move closer to silverware.

With both sides performing steadily in the league, this encounter promises to be a closely fought affair. Fans can expect a battle of tactics and individual brilliance as each club aims to progress to the semifinals.

Brighton Awaits Nottingham Forest or Ipswich

Brighton, another club without an FA Cup to their name, will be up against either Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town. The latter, despite being the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, remains the most recent FA Cup winner apart from Manchester City, having won the trophy in 1978.

Should Nottingham Forest progress, it would set up an all-Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium. However, if Ipswich pulls off an upset, they will be aiming to add another historic cup run to their name.

A Wide-Open Race for Glory

With heavyweights such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United all eliminated, the race for FA Cup glory appears more open than ever. Former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Micah Richards acknowledged this, stating on BBC One:

“It’s very open now. What a chance for a team to go and win it. All the [other] big teams are out. Manchester City are obviously the strongest team left in there. This is what we wanted, teams to get a chance.”

For clubs like Bournemouth, Preston, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Brighton, the pathway to Wembley is clearer than it has been in years. With history within reach, each side will be giving their all when the quarter-finals take place on the weekend of Saturday, 29 March.

Full FA Cup Quarter-finals Draw

• Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
• Preston vs. Aston Villa
• Bournemouth vs. Manchester City
• Brighton vs. Nottingham Forest/Ipswich

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