Preston vs Aston Villa FA Cup Preview

• Villa to win
• Both teams to score

With Wembley just one win away, Preston North End will look to defy the odds as the only remaining Championship side in the FA Cup when they take on Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa.

The Lilywhites haven’t reached the semi-finals of football’s oldest competition since 1964, and given their mid-table position in the second tier, few expect them to topple a Villa side chasing Champions League football and still active in Europe.

But in the FA Cup, surprises are always possible, and Deepdale could yet play host to a giant-killing.

Can Preston cause a major upset, or will Unai Emery’s in-form Villa keep their double silverware hopes alive? Here’s your full quarter-final preview.

Preston’s Shot at History

Preston’s FA Cup journey has been built on home comforts, with all three of their matches played at Deepdale so far.

Wins over Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, and an impressive 3-0 victory over Burnley in the last round have given them genuine momentum, even if those victories came against lower-league or Championship opposition.

The odds are stacked against them, especially considering they haven’t beaten a top-flight side in this competition since 2007/08, when they knocked out Derby County—widely regarded as the worst Premier League team of all time.

Still, under Paul Heckingbottom, Preston have shown they can be disciplined and dangerous on the break, and with home advantage once again, they will be quietly optimistic about making it a night to remember.

Aston Villa’s Bid for a Domestic Double

Aston Villa arrive at Deepdale in excellent form, having won four consecutive matches, with three clean sheets in that run. Unai Emery’s side remain in the UEFA Champions League and are firmly in the hunt for European qualification through the Premier League, highlighting the club’s impressive revival under the Spaniard.

Villa are aiming to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 2015, and they’ve won their last four FA Cup quarter-finals, although they haven’t featured at this stage since that 2014/15 campaign.

However, one concern for Villa is their away FA Cup record—they’ve won just one of their last nine away matches in this competition (W1, D2, L6). That lone victory was against Championship opposition in Middlesbrough, which will give them hope of replicating that success here.

Head-to-Head & Historical Insights

• Preston’s last FA Cup semi-final appearance: 1963/64 (lost final)
• Preston’s last win vs top-flight opposition in the FA Cup: 2007/08 (vs Derby County)
• Villa’s last five FA Cup quarter-finals: W5, last in 2015
• Villa’s FA Cup away record (last nine): W1, D2, L6
• Last 15 H2Hs (all competitions): Aston Villa W5, D9, L1
• No replays at this stage – extra time and penalties if required

The high number of draws (9 in 15) between these sides in recent meetings suggests this could be a tight contest, and with no replays, the match could well go the distance.

Key Players to Watch

Emil Riis (Preston North End)

Preston’s leading scorer in the Championship this season with ten goals, Riis is a consistent threat at Deepdale.

While he hasn’t scored in a cup tie since 2021/22, four of his last five goals have come at home, and he will be vital if Preston are to make a game of it.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rogers has made a noticeable impact in this season’s FA Cup, scoring in two of the last three rounds.

The former Middlesbrough winger impressed Emery last season and is now repaying that faith. His direct running and eye for goal could make him the X-factor in this quarter-final.

Prediction: Can Preston Deliver a Shock?

Preston have overachieved to reach this stage, and with the backing of a home crowd, they’ll be determined to make life difficult for Villa.

However, the Premier League side’s quality, tactical discipline under Emery, and current form should be enough to see them avoid a slip-up.

Villa’s poor FA Cup away record and the draw-heavy history between these sides suggests it may not be straightforward, but expect the visitors to find a way through, even if it takes extra time.

Predicted Score: Preston North End 1-2 Aston Villa (AET)

Villa edge through to the semi-finals, but Preston bow out with pride after pushing the favourites all the way at Deepdale.