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Match preview for Preston v Aston Villa
Preston, the one non-Premier League membership remaining on this season’s FA Cup, will face Aston Villa at Deepdale in Sunday’s quarter-final showdown.
Paul Heckingbottom’s squad secured their place within the remaining eight by defeating Burnley 3-0 within the earlier spherical, whereas Unai Emery’s aspect progressed by eliminating Cardiff Metropolis.
Aston Villa stay in competition for each home and European silverware, with Emery’s confirmed experience in knockout competitions shining via in each the Champions League and FA Cup.
After overcoming West Ham and Tottenham within the earlier rounds, Villa have been largely untroubled of their 3-0 victory over Cardiff Metropolis, with Marco Asensio scoring twice within the second half.
The Spanish playmaker’s brace ended a decade-long absence from the FA Cup quarter-finals for Villa, who final reached this stage within the 2014-15 marketing campaign.
That yr, they defeated West Brom earlier than falling to Arsenal within the remaining.
Notably, Villa have gained their final 4 FA Cup quarter-finals, having not been eradicated at this stage for the reason that 1991-92 season.
In addition they entered the worldwide break on a four-match profitable streak throughout all competitions.
FA Cup quarter-final week is HERE. 👊#pnefc pic.twitter.com/2o0fLXwCDo
— Preston North Finish FC (@pnefc) March 24, 2025
In the meantime, Preston have loved a powerful cup run, taking part in all their matches at dwelling up to now. Victories over Charlton and Wycombe arrange a last-16 tie towards Burnley, the place they claimed a 3-0 win.
Whereas Villa’s watch for a quarter-final look was solely a decade, Preston haven’t reached this stage for the reason that 1965-66 season, after they fell to Manchester United.
Moreover, Preston has struggled in latest conferences with Villa, profitable simply one in every of their final 15 encounters throughout all competitions. That mentioned, their most up-to-date three fixtures – all Championship matches in 2018 – led to attracts.
Group information for Preston v Aston Villa
Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who was surprisingly not noted of the England squad, sustained a minor knee harm towards Membership Brugge.
Nonetheless, he has educated totally and is predicted to start out. The one confirmed absentee for Villa is Ross Barkley (knee), whereas Axel Disasi is ineligible resulting from being cup-tied.
Pau Torres can be working his method again to full health after a metatarsal fracture.
Preston face important squad points, with as much as eight gamers probably unavailable. Sam Greenwood and Ryan Ledson are suspended, Ryan Porteous is cup-tied, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden is ineligible towards his father or mother membership.
Moreover, Jack Whatmough (calf) is out for the season, whereas Ali McCann (calf), Brad Potts (hamstring), and Osmajic (hip) are uncertain. Osmajic can be dealing with disciplinary motion following allegations of racist abuse towards Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
Anticipated line-ups for Preston v Aston Villa
Preston: Woodman; Storey, Gibson, Lindsay, Bauer, Brady; Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen; Thordarson; Keane, Riis
Aston Villa: Martinez; Money, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Asensio, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Unai supplied the next workforce information replace in his press convention forward of our FA Cup quarter-final tie with Preston on Sunday 🗣️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 28, 2025
Find out how to watch Preston v Aston Villa: TV channel, on-line stream
Preston v Aston Villa will kick-off at 13:30pm on Sunday and is out there to observe on BBC One. Followers within the UK may also stream the sport on BBC Iplayer.
Prediction
Whereas lengthy breaks can disrupt momentum, Villa’s close to full-strength squad is predicted to comfortably dispatch a Preston workforce weakened by accidents and suspensions.
Preston’s defensive setup might initially frustrate the guests, however Villa’s high quality ought to finally break the impasse, permitting them to take management and advance to the semi-finals.
Prediction: Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
