Preston vs Aston Villa Prediction: PSG loanee can down PNE

| Saturday 29th March 2025, 13:28pm

Saturday 29th March 2025, 13:28pm

FA Cup quarter-final weekend. It’s all rather exciting isn’t it? This year’s competition looks more open than ever, with only Manchester City having won the cup in recent times. We also have a Championship team in the final eight, as Preston North End represent the second tier, having seen Coventry make it to Wembley last term.

This one kicks off at 13:30 on BBC One, and below you can find my Preston vs Aston Villa predictions as both teams target a spot under the arch.

Preston vs Aston Villa Betting Tips

Aston Villa to win to nil @ 13/10
Marco Asensio to score anytime @ 13/8

Odds correct at the time of publishing

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Team News

Kaine Kesler-Hayden will have been the most disappointed member of the PNE squad when the draw was made, as despite being a key player this season, he is on loan from Villa and will be unavailable to face his parent club. Paul Heckingbottom has a lengthy injury list with Brad Potts and Ali McCann doubtful and Jack Whatmough out for the season.

Ryan Porteus is cup-tied, while Sam Greenwood and Ryan Ledson are both suspended for this one, leaving the manager with a bit of a selection headache for the visit of Unai Emery’s charges. It is also unknown whether Milutin Osmajic will be picked, even though he is available for selection.

Ahead of Freddie Woodman in goal, Jordan Storey will play at right centre-back in the absence of other options, alongside Liam Lindsay and Lewis Gibson. Andrew Hughes could play at LWB, with Robbie Brady the likely candidate to be shoved over to the right if Potts doesn’t make it. Stefan Thordarson, Ben Whiteman and Mads Fronkjaer-Jensen should play in midfield behind Will Keane and Emil Riis Jakobsen.

Preston vs Aston Villa Stats

Aston Villa have won their last four games in all competitions
Marco Asensio has scored seven goals in 12 Villa appearances

Villa have a busy April schedule coming up, including a midweek Premier League match v Brighton and a Champions League quarter-final v PSG. However, silverware is within their sights under Emery and I’m expecting him to name a strong XI after a week off. Amadou Onana and Pau Torres are expected to be in contention having taken part in the warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Emiliano Martínez should start in goal, behind a potential back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne. Mings was also on the camp over the international break and should feature at Deepdale given Axel Disasi is cup-tied.

Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans should start in midfield with John McGinn pushed further forward, while Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen are likely to have to settle for a place on the bench. Ollie Watkins didn’t play for England due to a minor issue, but he should start this one having returned to training.

Preston vs Aston Villa Odds

Preston are priced at 13/2 to win this game in 90 minutes, while Villa are available at 4/9 to get the job done at Deepdale. A draw after normal time can be backed at 18/5, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 and BTTS is priced at 10/11.

If we are looking at goalscorers, Watkins is the favourite to find the net first at 7/2.

Aston Villa to win to nil @ 13/10

I think this could be Aston Villa’s year. I know they are spinning a lot of plates right now and that gargantuan Champions League tie is on the horizon, but it would be a real disappointment if they don’t book themselves a place at Wembley up against Championship opposition. They’ve been presented with the easiest draw on paper, and they have the squad depth to brush them aside.

Villa need to win a trophy while the iron is hot. Their last success came in the League Cup in 1996, and they have a real chance, looking at the rest of the draw, of winning the FA Cup this season. They come into this one on a run of four straight wins, and they’ve won their last two matches without conceding. Emery won’t let them be complacent here and I expect a very professional and competent performance from the away side.

PNE have only lost one of their last five but they are a middling Championship side with a lot of absentees. I think Villa will take full advantage.

Preston North End vs Aston Villa - To Win to Nil Aston Villa

13/10

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Odds correct at time of publishing.

Marco Asensio to score anytime @ 13/8

Just a really good footballer isn’t he? The PSG loanee won’t be able to play in the UCL quarter-final, so expect Emery to start him here. He scored two goals as Villa beat Cardiff away in the last round and this looks to be a very similar test.

He scored three goals across two legs against Club Brugge and has two goals in four Premier League outings, so this is a man who has taken to life at Villa Park like a duck to water. I’m expecting him to pick up where he left off, and find the net against PNE. The fact he likes to take penalties also appeals to me, and the odds on offer are well worth backing.

Preston North End vs Aston Villa - Anytime Goalscorer Marco Asensio

13/8

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Odds correct at time of publishing.

Offers

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