Preston vs. Aston Villa Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
The FA Cup quarter-final clash between Preston and Aston Villa promises to be an intriguing contest at Deepdale. Kick-off is set for 13:30, with the match being televised on COSMOTE SPORT 8 and available for live streaming on various betting platforms in Greece.
Aston Villa, the bookmakers’ favourite, come into this game in scintillating form, having won all their last five matches across different competitions. In comparison, Preston have struggled for consistency, managing only one win in their last five outings.
Villa’s attacking prowess has been highlighted by Marco Asensio, their top scorer, while Preston will hope for a miracle from their injured star Milutin Osmajic. Despite these challenges, Preston have shown resolve, notably beating Burnley 3-0 in their last FA Cup tie.
Given Aston Villa’s form and strength, a recommended bet here would be Aston Villa -1.50 (AH), as they are expected to dominate and advance to the semi-finals.
Preston vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tip
Preston faces an uphill battle against an in-form Aston Villa in this FA Cup quarter-final. Our betting tip suggests going for an Aston Villa -1.50 (Asian Handicap) given their recent dominance and attacking prowess.
| Preston vs Aston Villa Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Odds |
| Aston Villa -1.50 (AH) | 1.44 |
- Aston Villa has demonstrated strong form with five consecutive victories across all competitions.
- Preston, on the other hand, has struggled for form, managing only one win in their last five matches.
- Given Villa’s superior squad depth and attacking firepower, they are expected to control the match and win comfortably.
The Villa side is in scintillating form and should be too strong for a weakened Preston team.
Preston vs Aston Villa Odds
Preston faces a tough task in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Aston Villa, who are the bookmakers’ favorites for this clash.
| Preston vs Aston Villa Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Preston | 6.84 |
| Draw | 4.49 |
| Aston Villa | 1.44 |
With Aston Villa’s recent form showing five consecutive victories compared to Preston’s inconsistent results, it’s clear why the odds heavily favor the visitors. Expect Villa to control the game and potentially secure a comfortable victory.
Preston Team Analysis
Preston Recent Performance
Preston’s recent form has been a bit of a mixed bag, with a record of two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five outings. They’ve managed to keep two clean sheets during this period and scored an average of 1.20 goals per match. Let’s take a closer look at their recent results:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Portsmouth | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Sunderland | Preston | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Sheffield United | Preston | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Preston | Swansea | 2025-03-04 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Preston | Burnley | 2025-03-01 | FA Cup | 3-0 (Win) |
Preston’s ability to secure wins against strong teams like Portsmouth and Burnley shows resilience, especially in the FA Cup. However, they need to be more consistent and increase their goal-scoring efficiency if they aim to upset Aston Villa in this upcoming quarter-final clash. Their defense, which has achieved two clean sheets recently, will be critical in their efforts to advance further in the FA Cup.
Preston Key Players
Preston will depend heavily on their top scorer, Milutin Osmajic, who has netted 3 goals in this FA Cup campaign. Providing crucial support will be midfielders Ryan Ledson and Stefan Thórdarson, who have displayed solid performances recently.
Osmajic’s potential absence due to a hip injury could be a huge setback, making the roles of Will Keane and Emil Riis Jakobsen even more critical in the attacking department.
Defenders Lewis Gibson and Liam Lindsay, alongside goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, will need to be at their best to keep out Aston Villa’s potent offense.
Expected lineup for Preston:
- Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
- Defenders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ryan Porteous, Lewis Gibson, Liam Lindsay, Jayden Meghoma
- Midfielders: Ryan Ledson, Stefan Thórdarson, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen
- Attackers: Will Keane, Emil Riis Jakobsen
Preston Suspensions & Injuries
Preston currently have no suspensions to report. However, injuries could heavily impact their performance against Aston Villa.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Whatmough | Calf Injury | Early April 2025 |
| Alistair McCann | Leg injury | Early April 2025 |
| Milutin Osmajic | Hip injury | Doubtful |
| Brad Potts | Hamstring Injury | Early April 2025 |
The potential absence of Milutin Osmajic, Preston’s top scorer in this FA Cup campaign, will be a significant blow. With other key players like Jack Whatmough, Alistair McCann, and Brad Potts sidelined, the team might struggle to maintain defensive solidity and offensive potency.
This means increased pressure on substitutes and remaining regulars to step up their game.
Preston Tactics and Formation
Preston Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 5-3-2
- Key Forward: Emil Riis Jakobsen
- Midfield Trio: Ryan Ledson, Stefan Thordarson, Mads Froekjaer-Jensen
- Defensive Line: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ryan Porteous, Lewis Gibson, Liam Lindsay, Jayden Meghoma
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Focuses on a solid defensive structure, leveraging wing-backs for both defense and attack transitions.
Preston are expected to showcase a sturdy defense with five at the back, complemented by a dynamic midfield to control the game’s tempo. Despite injury concerns, the team emphasizes slowing down Aston Villa’s high-scoring offense while banking on counter-attacks and set-pieces for scoring opportunities.
Aston Villa Team Analysis
Aston Villa Recent Performance
Aston Villa is on an impressive run, showcasing their dominance with five consecutive wins. The team has been prolific in front of goal, averaging 2.40 goals per game over their last five matches and maintaining three clean sheets. This form not only reflects their offensive prowess but also their defensive stability.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Ain | Aston Villa | 2025-03-20 | Club Friendlies | 1-3 (Win) |
| Aston Villa | Club Brugge | 2025-03-12 | Champions League Finals | 3-0 (Win) |
| Brentford | Aston Villa | 2025-03-08 | Premier League | 0-1 (Win) |
| Club Brugge | Aston Villa | 2025-03-04 | Champions League Finals | 1-3 (Win) |
| Aston Villa | Cardiff | 2025-02-28 | FA Cup | 2-0 (Win) |
With Marco Asensio leading the attack, Aston Villa appears well-prepared to make a robust showing at Deepdale.
Aston Villa Key Players
Aston Villa’s squad brims with talent and experience, making them the bookmakers’ favourite. Marco Asensio has been particularly impressive, scoring 2 goals in the tournament so far. His keen eye for goal will be pivotal against Preston.
Potential key individual battles to watch will include Asensio against Preston’s seasoned defenders, Ryan Porteous and Lewis Gibson, who have shown resilience in recent outings.
With Ollie Watkins potentially sidelined due to a knock, Asensio and the supporting attackers will need to step up to keep the goals coming.
Aston Villa Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Barkley | Calf Injury | Doubtful |
| Ollie Watkins | Knock Injury | Doubtful |
Aston Villa faces the potential absence of key players Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins due to injuries, which could impact their performance. Barkley’s creative influence in midfield and Watkins’ goal-scoring prowess could be missed, placing more responsibility on other players to step up. These doubts may also force Aston Villa to rethink their attacking strategy and formation for the match against Preston.
Aston Villa Tactics and Formation
Aston Villa’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Marco Asensio
In their recent matches, Aston Villa has consistently deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup allows them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing flexibility in attack. The presence of Marco Asensio as the key forward, who has already scored two goals, provides a significant threat up front.
Their midfield is often robust, with two holding midfielders providing defensive cover, crucial in their three clean sheets in the last five games. This formation also gives them the width needed to stretch the play and break down opposition defenses.
Aston Villa’s notable strategy includes a strong attacking push during the 61-75 minute interval, capitalizing on opposition fatigue. Given their recent form, with five straight wins, they will likely continue this successful tactical approach against Preston.
Preston vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston North End | Aston Villa | 2018-12-29 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Aston Villa | Preston North End | 2018-10-02 | Championship | 3-3 (Draw) |
| Aston Villa | Preston North End | 2018-02-20 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Preston North End | Aston Villa | 2017-11-01 | Championship | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Aston Villa | Preston North End | 2017-01-21 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
Preston and Aston Villa have faced off five times recently in the Championship, with results slightly favoring Villa. Each team has drawn three matches, with one win for Aston Villa and none for Preston.
Though the matches have often ended in a draw, Aston Villa’s recent form and stronger squad suggest they have the upper hand in this upcoming FA Cup quarter-final clash.
Odds accurate as of 28/03/2025 12:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
