Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FA Cup match.
Preston North End will be the only Championship team remaining in the Cup quarter-finals, making Aston Villa the clear favourites in this matchup. Even the possibility of a draw or a Preston win seems highly unlikely.
Preston North End
A mid-table outfit in the Championship, Preston sit 14th in both the overall and home form tables. Their impressive cup run is largely down to the luck of the draw — they’ve avoided top-flight opposition throughout. The biggest test came in the previous round against Burnley, one of the promotion favourites, but with Burnley clearly prioritising the league, Preston capitalised and cruised to a 3:0 win.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa remain firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot, sitting ninth in the Premier League — a position that could be enough to qualify for Europe’s elite competition this season. Still, the race is tight, and a cup triumph presents a more straightforward path to silverware. With Unai Emery at the helm — a manager famed for his cup exploits — it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Aston Villa prioritise this tournament. Beyond Manchester City, there aren’t many fearsome names left in the hat, making this a real opportunity.
Preston North End vs Aston Villa Prediction
Aston Villa have the squad depth, experience, and firepower to get the job done here. Preston will make it gritty and physical, especially at Deepdale, but even if they take it the distance, Aston Villa’s class should see them through.
