FA Cup news: Preston North End vs Aston Villa – Five key battles and score prediction

Championship outfit Preston North End host Premier League heavyweights Aston Villa in an FA Cup quarter-final this weekend, with a trip to famous Wembley in the offing.

The hosts are the last remaining Championship team in the competition, with seven top-flight clubs occupying the remaining quarter-final spots.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 1:30pm and is sure to be a cracker.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen takes a look at five key battles across the pitch that could prove decisive at Deepdale Stadium.

Emil Riis Jakobsen vs Ezri Konsa

Preston’s leading goalscorer Emil Riis Jakobsen is the danger man going forward for the Lilywhites, with 10 goals across the Championship season.

The Dane joined from Randers FC in 2020 and has made 177 appearances so far, racking up 44 goals.

Jakobsen has only managed 26 minutes of FA Cup action so far, but he is nailed on to start as Preston play a two-striker system and forward Milutin Osmajic is a doubt for Sunday’s clash.

The striker holds strong defensive numbers, with 57 recoveries, 12 tackles, and has won possession in the final third 16 times.

Up against him will be Ezri Konsa, who returns to Villa following two clean sheets for England on international duty.

The versatile defender boasts an impressive 92.8% passing accuracy and 68.8% duel win rate in the Premier League.

Konsa has also kept a clean sheet in each of his last four matches spanning across three competitions.

Since joining from Brentford in 2019, Konsa has 226 appearances in claret and blue, with 44 clean sheets in 178 Premier League outings.

READ MORE: FA Cup analysis: Bournemouth vs Man City - Five key battles and score prediction

Robert Brady vs Marcus Rashford

With Kaine Kesler-Hayden ineligible as he is on loan from Villa and full-back Brad Potts injured, it is expected that Robert Brady will fill in at right wing-back.

Brady is predominantly a left-sided player, but due to the lack of availability, he seems the most suited to the role.

The Irish international has been in and out of Heckingbottom’s starting line-up lately, mainly occupying the left wing-back position.

Brady scored his second goal for Preston in round five in what was his 88th appearance, curling in a beautiful free kick against Burnley.

The winger targeting his weaker side will be Marcus Rashford, whose fine form has seen him regain his place in the England set-up, starting both games over the international break.

Aston Villa’s loanee is yet to register a goal but has contributed four assists in their upturn in form in 2025.

Rashford’s off-the-ball weaknesses must be targeted by Preston if they want to cause an upset.

The winger has won only 31.8% of his duels and has gained possession just once in the final third.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: England news: What Thomas Tuchel’s first two games have told us about the squad

Stefan Thordarson vs John McGinn

Stefan Thordarson joined from Danish club Silkeborg last summer and has made 38 appearances for Preston across all competitions.

The Icelandic international has provided a goal and assist in his last two matches from midfield, scoring the winner in Preston’s 2-1 over Portsmouth last time out.

Thordarson has also created 29 chances in the Championship while winning an impressive 78.6% of his tackles.

The 26-year-old will have to emulate this figure at the weekend as Preston are expected to be defending for the majority of play.

John McGinn is the only Aston Villa player to have appeared in the last match between the two teams, a 1-1 Championship draw in December 2018.

The Scottish fan favourite has been a reliable player since his move from Hibs in 2018, making 38 appearances so far this season and 274 overall.

With Rashford taking up the left-wing spot, McGinn has reverted back to playing in central positions.

He will be looking for his first goal contribution of 2025, his last goal coming last December in the Champions League against RB Leipzig.

READ NEXT: Leeds Utd news: Daniel Farke’s dilemma – Should Junior Firpo stay or go?

Ryan Porteous vs Ollie Watkins

Ryan Porteous has slotted straight into Paul Heckingbottom’s side since making a winter loan switch from Watford.

The Scottish defender has helped Preston concede only six goals in eight matches since his arrival, keeping three clean sheets and scoring one goal.

Where Porteous struggles is duels, with a 55.8% and 58.6% winning rate for duels and aerial duels respectively.

Feeding on this will be Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa’s only natural striker following Jhon Duran’s departure.

However, Watkins has also struggled physically of late, winning only 35.5% of his duels.

Villa’s leading goalscorer has netted 14 times in 41 appearances this season, with 13 coming in the Premier League.

Watkins was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as England manager due to an injury he picked up last time out against Club Brugge.

It is hoped that Watkins has recovered for the run-in as Aston Villa are still competing in the Premier League, Champions League, and the FA Cup.

The Englishman has provided 12 assists in all competitions and has registered 148 touches in opposition boxes.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Liverpool news: ‘Proud’ Andy Robertson ready to fight for left-back spot at Anfield

Paul Heckingbottom vs Unai Emery

Heckingbottom’s side have lacked goals this season, with only four Championship sides scoring fewer than their 39 in 38 games.

The manager recently demanded more goals from his defenders, claiming that goals from the back would change the dynamic of their matches.

Preston have proved themselves defensively solid against the Championship’s top teams, taking points from Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland within the last three months.

They also brushed aside Burnley 3-0 in round five to set up the clash with Villa.

Heckingbottom’s stubborn 5-3-2 setup has led to Preston losing only two home matches all season, conceding 15 in 19.

As for Emery’s side, they have conceded 27 goals on the road in the Premier League.

Emery’s intense 4-2-3-1 set-up has caused leaks at the back, with only four clean sheets kept, a record only the newly promoted teams have failed to match.

Summary

The visitors come into the match in better form, losing only once in their last nine matches, whereas Preston have two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six.

With a trip to Wembley up for grabs, it is expected that both sides will field their strongest teams.

Aston Villa’s overpowering quality will likely prevail in what should be a routine win for Emery’s side, setting up their first trip to Wembley since winning the 2019 Championship play-off final.

Score prediction: Preston North End 0-2 Aston Villa

MORE FROM JOSEPH HANNEN: Carabao Cup final analysis: Five reasons why Newcastle United won at Wembley