Preston North End and Aston Villa meet in the FA Cup this weekend with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Preston North End are looking to continue their impressive FA Cup journey by pulling off the shock of the round against Aston Villa. PNE are the only non-Premier League side left in the competition.
To progress to this stage, the Lilywhites overcame rivals Burnley at Deepdale earlier this month. They stormed to a 3-0 win to make it to the quarter-finals.
North End, who are two-time FA Cup winners, have not made it to this stage since 1966. Sitting 14th in the Championship with a mid-table finish likely, Paul Heckingbottom’s side will be putting their all into this game.
PNE - Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
As for Aston Villa, they head to Preston North End as big favourites to progress to the next round.
Unai Emery’s side overcame Championship opposition to reach this stage, beating Cardiff City in the fifth round. A Marco Asensio brace got the job done for the Premier League side.
With European football to fight for and a Champions League campaign still ongoing, Villa arguably have bigger fish to try. However, with one game laying between them and Wembley, Emery will be out for the win here and nothing less.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
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James Ray
“Not many people are going to give Preston North End a chance of winning here. There’s no hiding Aston Villa are the stronger side and will be widely expected to progress.
“However, the fact this is on home turf should give PNE a bit of hope. They need to pack out the ground, get the atmosphere buzzing and get at the visitors early on.
PNE - Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
“Letting Villa get into their stride early on is the worst thing Heckingbottom and his side can do. Unfortunately, with the talent they have, they should be capable of picking Preston apart regardless.
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“I’ll be rooting for North End here, but it’s hard to go against a Villa triumph.”
Prediction: Preston North End 1-3 Aston Villa
Harry Mail
“Deepdale should be rocking for this one and Preston North End fans will be dreaming of a trip to Wembley.
“They will have to be at their best to get something from the game and will also require a bit of luck on the day if they are to progress.
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“Aston Villa should be too strong for PNE but you never know. Unai Emery’s side are also focused on getting into the top four again in the Premier League and are still in the Champions League.
“However, although it would be a great story if the hosts won here, I can’t see it happening in the end. Villa have a lot of quality in their ranks and will be in confident mood.”
Prediction: Preston North End 0-2 Aston Villa
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