The Lilywhites face another automatic promotion challenger on Tuesday night as we head to the second city to face Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa.
Earlier this season the Villans were victorious in front of the Sky cameras at Deepdale in the middle of North End’s defensive injury crisis, in a game where Alan Browne needed to play 45 minutes at centre half.
This time around manager Alex Neil is able to welcome back two players who have played a key role in the side, in Ben Pearson and Greg Cunningham after suspension, to give his squad more options, although John Welsh must sit out the game after his red card at the weekend.
Last season’s trip to Villa Park was a thriller, with Albert Adomah putting the hosts two goals to the good at the interval, only for Jordan Hugill to score two second half goals to give PNE a point in January of last year.
Ref Watch
For the third time this season, the Lilywhites will have Darren England as match official for Tuesday night’s clash with Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa at Villa Park…
Stat Attack
One of the oldest rivalries in professional football resumes on Tuesday between two teams who met numerous times prior to the establishment of the Football League in 1888…
Click here for a full statistical look at the game
Ticket Information
Tickets remain on sale for Tuesday night’s visit to Villa Park, with 750 tickets already sold…
Click here for more information
Or click here to buy a ticket for the game
Opposition View
Steve Bruce will be looking for his side to get back to the form that won seven straight league games prior to their defeat at Fulham at the weekend…
Click here for his thoughts on the game
PNE Team News
Manager Alex Neil can welcome back Greg Cunningham and Ben Pearson after their suspensions were served in Saturday’s draw with league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Deepdale…
Click here for the latest team news
Match Coverage
On Tuesday evening, if you can’t make it to Villa Park, then you can sign up for a £5 match pass and watch the game – with full match commentary – live on iFollow PNE…
Click here for details of how to follow the match
Alex Neil’s Thoughts
One key change the manager has made to the squad at Deepdale since his arrival in the summer is the mentality of the dressing room, something that the gaffer feels is showing more than ever in recent weeks…
Click here to watch the manager’s pre-match interview
Greg Cunningham Preview
With just over a dozen games to go this season, Greg Cunningham insists North End need to focus on themselves and not those teams around them…
Click here to hear from the defender ahead of the clash with Villa