Preston V Aston Villa match preview
Preston, the only non-professional league club remaining in the FA Cup this season, will face Deepdale’s Aston Villa in a showdown in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
Paul Heckingbottom’s roster won their final eight in the last round in a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Unai Emery’s team scored an elimination.
Aston Villa is still competing for domestic and European silverware, and Emery has good knockout expertise in both the Champions League and the FA Cup.
After overcoming West Ham and Tottenham in an earlier round, Villa did not struggle in a 3-0 victory over Cardiff City, with Marco Asensio scoring twice in the second half.
The Spanish organizer’s stent ended Villa’s FA Cup quarterfinals in a decade-long absence, with Villa reaching the stage for the last time in the 2014-15 campaign.
That year, they beat West Brom and then dropped to Arsenal in the final.
It is worth noting that Villa won the last four FA Cup quarterfinals and has not been eliminated since the 1991-92 season.
In all the matches, they also entered the international breakthrough with a four-game winning streak.
The FA Cup quarterfinals week is here. 👊#pnefc pic.twitter.com/2O0FLXWCDO
– Preston North End FC (@PNEFC) March 24, 2025
Meanwhile, Preston enjoyed an impressive cup race and so far they have played all the games at home. Charlton and Wycon won the final 16 draws with Burnley, who won a 3-0 victory.
While Villa has only been waiting for the quarterfinal appearance for only a decade, Preston has not reached this stage since the 1965-66 season, when they fell to Manchester United.
Additionally, Preston struggled in a recent meeting with Villa, winning only one of the last 15 games in all competitions. That said, their last three games – all the championship games in 2018 ended with a draw.
Team News from Preston V Aston Villa
Surprisingly excluded Villa forward Ollie Watkins suffered a minor knee injury against Club Brugge in England.
However, he has received full training and is expected to start. The only confirmed absence from the villa is Ross Barkley (knee), who is not eligible for being championed.
Pau Torres is still recovering from full fitness after a fracture on the left and right sides.
Preston faces important squad issues that up to eight players may not be available. Sam Greenwood and Ryan Ledson were suspended, Ryan Porteous was championed, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden was not eligible to fight his parents’ club.
Additionally, Jack Whatmough (Mavericks) stands out this season, while Ali McCann, Brad Potts (hamstrings) and Osmajic (hip) are doubtful. Osmajic also faces disciplinary action after accusing Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri of racist abuse.
Preston V Aston Villa’s expected lineup
Preston: Woodman; Storey, Gibson, Lindsay, Bauer, Brady; Whitman, Flock Jansen; Thordarson; Keane, Reese
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McKinn, Tillmans; Asensio, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins
Unai provided the following team news updates at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinals with Preston.
— Aston Villa (@avfcomial) March 28, 2025
How to watch Preston V Aston Villa: TV Channels, Streaming Online
Preston V Aston Villa will be launched on Sunday at 13:30 and can be viewed on the BBC One. British fans can also play games on BBC iPlayer.
prophecy
While long rest may ruin momentum, Villa’s near-full strength team is expected to comfortably send a Preston team weakened by injuries and suspension.
Preston’s defense settings may initially frustrate visitors, but Villa’s quality should eventually break the deadlock, allowing them to control and reach the semi-finals.
Prediction: Preston 0-3 Aston Villa
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