Aston Villa fought back from 1-0 down with goals from Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph to beat favorites Liverpool 2-1 in a pulsating FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.
Defeat ended Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard’s dream of bringing his 17-year career at Anfield to a close with a cup winner’s medal on his 35th birthday and Villa will play Arsenal in the final on May 30.
Liverpool made the breakthrough in the 30th minute when Philippe Coutinho scored after sloppy Villa defending. But Villa were only behind for six minutes before they deservedly equalized when Delph, guilty for his part in the build-up to the Liverpool goal, did everything right.
The Villa skipper surged forward before playing a one-two with Jack Grealish and crossing for Benteke who’s first time shot flew past Simon Mignolet into the net. Villa went ahead nine minutes into the second half when Delph scored after a superb move which included a Benteke backheel and a Grealish through ball to Delph who cut in and gave Mignolet no chance from 12 meters.
It is 15 years since Villa last reached an FA Cup final and 58 years since they achieved the last of their seven successes in the tournament, but victory was just reward for a side who have been transformed since Tim Sherwood succeeded Paul Lambert as manager on Valentine’s Day.
“The gaffer is brilliant. He is so positive with everyone and doesn’t panic. We had a game plan and stuck to it,” Delph said. “We were confident going into the game and we are so happy to go away with the win.
On Saturday, Alexis Sanchez scored twice as FA Cup holders Arsenal beat Reading 2-1 after being forced into extra time by the second-tier club at Wembley.
It was a goalkeeping blunder that enabled Arsenal to avoid embarrassment against Reading when Australia goalkeeper Adam Federici allowed a Sanchez shot to escape his grasp in the first period of extra-time.
With the extra time break looming, Sanchez took a pass from Mesut Ozil and sent in a speculative shot through three defenders which went between Federici’s legs and slid slowly into the net.
Ozil also set up Sanchez’s first goal just before half-time. A perfectly weighted pass was sent to Sanchez, who brought down the ball on his chest and slotted a low shot past Federici. Garath McCleary equalized early in the second half, but Sanchez ensured Arsenal will contest the final.
“What was missing was a bit of speed of combination in the final third and sharpness in the final third,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “But overall, I believe the spirit and concentration was there.”
