A place in the semi-final of the English FA Cup is at stake as Preston North End and Aston Villa go toe-to-toe with each other at Deepdale Stadium on Sunday, 30 March 2025.
View our free Preston vs Aston Villa predictions below.
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Preston vs Aston Villa predictions: A high-scoring affair
Key stats
- At least three goals were scored in six of Aston Villa's last eight matches.
- Preston trailed at the half-time break in four of their last five encounters with Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa are currently on a five-match winning streak.
- Seven of Aston Villa's last 10 games produced goals at both ends.
Correct score prediction: Preston 1-3 Aston Villa
To be fair, Preston North End are unbeaten in their last 15 home games in all competitions. However, while they ply their trade in the Championship, Paul Heckingbottom’s men are up against Premier League opposition.
Aston Villa have strung together five wins in a row; they also won their last four appearances in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Keeping in mind that the Villans scored exactly three goals in three of their last four matches, we are confident that they will emerge victorious after 90 minutes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Aston Villa are overwhelming favourites
- HOME: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- AWAY: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Preston North End defeated Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and Burnley in the previous rounds of this competition. They will set their sights on a semifinal appearance for the first time since the 1963/64 season.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, knocked out West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City in the previous three rounds. The last time the Villans reached the FA Cup semifinal was in 2015, when they advanced to the final, losing to Arsenal.
With that in mind, Aston Villa are the expected winners at 4/9 (1.44). Teams with these odds generally have a 69.2% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Preston vs Aston Villa predictions.
We have also pointed out that both teams were amongst the goals in seven of Aston Villa's last 10 matches. On that note, BTTS – Yes has an appealing look at 19/20 (1.95). That one has a 51.3% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: First encounter since 2018
Preston North End and Aston Villa will clash for the first time since December 2018, when both teams played in the Championship. Although Aston Villa are unbeaten in the last five meetings between these sides, four of those encounters ended in stalemates.
England Championship 29/12/18
Preston
Aston Villa
England Championship 02/10/18
Aston Villa
Preston
England Championship 20/02/18
Aston Villa
Preston
England Championship 01/11/17
Preston
Aston Villa
England Championship 21/01/17
Aston Villa
Preston
Preston preview: A few absentees
Ryan Porteous is cup-tied, having represented Watford in the earlier rounds of this competition; Kain-Kessler Hayden (loanee) cannot play as he is ineligible to feature against his parent club; Sam Greenwood and Ryan Ledson are both suspended, while Brad Potts and Ali McCann are both injury doubts for Preston.
Predicted lineup: Woodman (GK), Storey, Lindsay, Gibson, Bauer, Whiteman, Brady, Frokjaer-Jensen, Keane, Thordarson & Riis.
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Leeds
2
Preston
1
England Championship 08/04/25
D
Cardiff
2
Preston
2
England Championship 05/04/25
D
Stoke
1
Preston
1
England Championship 02/04/25
L
Derby
2
Preston
0
England FA Cup 30/03/25
L
Aston Villa
3
Preston
0
Aston Villa preview: Looking to extend their winning streak
Aston Villa are the favourites to progress to the next round of this competition, but they have a few injury concerns heading into this game against Paul Heckingbottom's side.
Top of their injury worries is star striker Ollie Watkins, who missed international duty for England due to a knee injury and is expected to sit this one out alongside Ross Barkley, unless both players pass a late fitness test.
Predicted lineup: Martinez (GK), Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers, McGinn, Rashford & Asensio.
England Premier League 12/04/25
W
Southampton
0
Aston Villa
3
UEFA Champions League 09/04/25
L
PSG
3
Aston Villa
1
England Premier League 05/04/25
W
Nottm Forest
1
Aston Villa
2
England Premier League 02/04/25
W
Brighton
0
Aston Villa
3
England FA Cup 30/03/25
W
Preston
0
Aston Villa
3
Player to watch: Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio has been in sensational form of late, scoring six goals in his last four appearances across all competitions. The former Real Madrid forward will look to extend his scoring streak to five matches this weekend.