BIRMINGHAM — When you say it out loud it sounds a bit wild but when you think about it, it really isn’t: Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season. Even the most ardent Villa supporter may raise an eyebrow at that statement, but why?

Villa’s pursuit for a return to the Champions League through a top-five finish in the Premier League takes a back seat as they head to Wembley.

Marcus Rashford has been ruled out of Aston Villa's FA Cup semifinal after picking up an injury. The forward was not named in Unai Emery's starting XI to face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday with Villa saying he had picked up "a knock.