Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to punch their FA Cup semi-final ticket on Sunday lunchtime, Aston Villa will travel to Championship outfit Preston.
Preston
Starting with the hosts, laying down what was a major FA Cup marker on March 1st as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against bitter rivals Burnley, Preston will certainly be relishing a return to Deepdale this weekend. However, despite continuing to impress with their rugged success in Lancashire, Paul Heckinbottom’s camp face what is a monumental challenge on Sunday lunchtime. Sat in Championship limbo heading into the final couple of months, Preston have notched just a sole win from any of their previous seven second-tier showdowns. Although the Lilywhites might be just 90 minutes away from booking a first FA Cup semi-final spot since their iconic title winning campaign back in 1938, it is no surprise that Heckinbottom’s side are pencilled in as a major underdog at Deepdale.
Preston Team News
Shown a dramatic late red card at home against Portsmouth prior to March’s international break, Leeds loanee Sam Greenwood will miss out through suspension here. Picking up a calf issue against Swansea earlier in the month, Northern Ireland international Ali McCann remains on the sidelines.
Featuring for Scotland over the past week, Watford loanee Ryan Porteous will start at the heart of Preston’s defence. Former Burnley star Robbie Brady could be handed a full recall and be deployed in a left wing-back role.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, booking their Champions League quarter-final ticket earlier in the month as they claimed a thumping 6-1 aggregate win against Club Brugge, Aston Villa have once again broken a string of records this season. Likewise, extending on their FA Cup adventure on February 28th as they secured a routine 2-0 victory against Cardiff, Unai Emery’s men have won each of their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-1. Smelling a golden opportunity when they travel to Lancashire this weekend, the one-time Arsenal boss will also be excited by his side’s recent success on the road. Including a gritty 1-0 victory against Brentford on March 8th, Emery’s side have registered back-to-back wins away from Villa Park since back in September.
Aston Villa Team News
While January recruit Donnell Malen might have failed to make any kind of impact since arriving in the Midlands, the former Borussia Dortmund star could be handed a start here. However, not featuring since the start of January, Ross Barkley is not expected to feature in Lancashire.
With Emery tempted to make a handful of changes this weekend, the likes of Lamare Bogarde and Jacob Ramsey will be hoping to feature from the start. Not handed a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s maiden England squad this month, Ollie Watkins will be looking to make a statement at Deepdale.
Key Factors to Consider
- Sunday’s showdown in Lancashire will be the first time that Preston and Aston Villa have met at Deepdale since a Championship contest back in December 2018.
- Aston Villa entered March’s international break having won each of their final four appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- Preston have not suffered a single defeat at Deepdale since returning from November’s international break.
- However, despite their FA Cup success against Burnley earlier in the month, Preston have mustered just a single win from their previous seven Championship appearances.
- Five of Villa’s last seven matchups across all competitions have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Preston might not have suffered a single defeat at Deepdale since the start of November, Sunday’s hosts will be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. With Aston Villa heading into March’s international break having won their previous four appearances across all competitions, Emery’s men have their sights firmly set on punching their semi-final spot with a flurry. Notching consecutive victories away from Villa Park for the first time since September, we are backing an away win in Lancashire.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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