Preston North End take on Aston Villa in a compelling FA Cup quarter-final encounter on Sunday afternoon.
In this clash between a Championship side and a Premier League heavyweight, both teams will be eager to secure a place in the next round of this prestigious tournament. Preston may be in a lower league, but home advantage could count, as could their recent head-to-head record.
The last meeting between these two sides ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, setting the stage for an equally competitive showdown. The last five encounters have seen four draws and just a single win for Aston Villa.
Preston vs Aston Villa Preview
Preston North End have been in decent form recently, recording two wins, two draws, and one defeat in their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing, a 2-1 home victory against Portsmouth, has given them a boost in confidence as they prepare to host a formidable Aston Villa side in the FA Cup.
Under manager Paul Heckingbottom, Preston have adopted a robust tactical framework that leverages their defensive strengths while seeking to exploit transitional play. They have scored 39 goals in the Championship this season, conceding 44, so many of their games have been tight. They sit comfortably in mid-table in the Championship and so can put their whole focus into their FA Cup campaign.
Interestingly, despite being 14th in the second-tier, Preston’s record against the Championship’s bigger sides is pretty good. They have drawn with Leeds United at Deepdale and knocked Burnley out of the FA Cup in the last round. They have certainly been competitive and will be confident of putting in a strong performance against Premier League opposition. Their league form is not encouraging though – they have only won once in their last seven Championship games.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have been in exceptional form lately. With four wins and only one loss in their last five matches across all competitions, Villa are clearly enjoying a period of momentum. This is evidenced by their most recent performance, a resounding 3-0 home win against FC Brugge in the Champions League.
Villa’s league form has been patchy though and they currently sit ninth in the Premier League. However, in cup competitions, Villa have displayed resilience and determination, making them clear favourites in this matchup.
Predictions for Preston vs Aston Villa
Preston Win
While unlikely, an upset cannot be dismissed entirely. If Preston can elevate their performance and exploit any complacency in Villa’s setup, they might secure a narrow victory. They have not lost at Deepdale since early November after all. However, given their overall quality and recent performances, this outcome seems the least probable.
Draw
A draw remains a possibility if Preston manage to absorb Villa’s pressure and capitalise on counter-attacking opportunities. This would reflect the tightly contested nature of previous meetings between these two sides. Four of the last five games between the two sides have ended in draws, including all of the last three.
Aston Villa Win
Given their superior form, resources, and Premier League pedigree, Aston Villa are expected to edge a victory. Their potent attacking force and tactical sophistication, as demonstrated in their recent 3-0 win against Club Brugge, should prove too much for Preston to handle. Villa are also looking for their third successive away win, having secured back-to-back wins on the road for the first time since September.
Betting Tips and Predictions
- Aston Villa to Win: With odds of 1.48 at 1win, backing Villa to secure an away win is our primary recommendation.
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: Considering Preston’s tendency to find the net – they have scored in both of their last two games – and their occasional defensive lapses, a bet on both teams to score offers attractive value. Villa’s Marco Asensio is a man in form, having scored seven goals in his last six matches. He’ll fancy adding to his tally here.
- Additional Option: For those looking for enhanced returns, combining an Aston Villa win with both teams to score could present further value. Backing Asensio to score anytime is a good bet too.
Preston vs Aston Villa – Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- Overall Head-to-Head: There have been 116 clashes between Aston Villa and Preston North End, with Villa winning 57. Preston have won 38, while there have been 21 draws. This dates back to their first-ever clash, an FA Cup encounter in 1888. In the last five games between Preston and Aston Villa, the teams have recorded four draws, with one win for Villa.
- Recent Meeting: Their most recent three clashes have all ended in draws. They last played out a 1-1 stalemate in December 2018.
- Form and Performance: Preston have shown resilience in the Championship, while Aston Villa’s recent displays have underlined their attacking superiority.
- Offensive and Defensive Records: Preston have scored six and conceded two in their last five matches. Villa have exhibited both offensive potency and defensive solidity, scoring 10 goals and conceding five.
