FA Cup semi-final draw LIVE: Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and remaining teams learn fate

The majority of those left in the FA Cup are keenly aware this isn’t just another game. It’s a historic, and maybe unique, opportunity.

There will be no debates about the competition’s meaning. Most of the clubs who most frequently win it – including its five most successful clubs over the last 34 years and nine of its past 10 winners – are out. It really couldn’t mean more to those left.

The semi-finals will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April.

You wait 14 games for a goal and then two come at once: Marcus Rashford’s two quickfire strikes have put Aston Villa in charge at Preston and heading for the semi-finals.

The first from Rashford, on the hour, came from a swift move as he finished Lucas Digne’s cut-back. The second was a penalty, taken cooly as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The Belgian goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as Forest beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 on penalties after a largely dismal goalless draw at the Amex Stadium.

Palace’s number 10, who was among those in England manager Thomas Tuchel’s first squad selection earlier this month, opened the scoring with a brilliant effort before he assisted Ismaila Sarr for his side’s second at Craven Cottage.

2. Preston North End or Aston Villa

3. AFC Bournemouth or Manchester City

The draw will take place live as part of BBC One’s broadcast of Preston North End v Aston Villa. It will also stream live on BBC iPlayer.

Mark Chapman will host the draw, while Joe Hart will conduct it.

The FA Cup semi-final draw will take place on Sunday 30 March after the conclusion of Preston North End v Aston Villa, which kicks off at 1:30pm, so we can expect the draw to take place at approximately 3:45pm or later.

The FA Cup is back with four fascinating quarter-finals handing teams an opportunity to book a date at Wembley for the semi-finals of one of the most prestigious competitions in world football.

Last year’s runners-up Manchester City take on Bournemouth with Pep Guardiola’s side desperate to salvage a piece of silverware in what has been a frustrating season.

Preston North End, the only Championship side still in the draw, host Aston Villa on Sunday, with Unai Emery eyeing up a famous cup double ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s FA Cup semi-final draw.

The draw takes place after the conclusion of Preston vs Villa, with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest having already booked their places at Wembley.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and news right here.