SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
PN
Championship | Gameweek 25
Dec 29, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
AV

1-1

Nmecha (61')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Abraham (45')

Spoils shared at Deepdale between Preston and Villa

:Headline: Result: Spoils shared at Deepdale between Preston and Villa: ID:345449: from db_amp
Bundled goal enough for North End to take a draw.

Preston sealed a valuable 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Deepdale.

On-loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham's 14th goal of the season put Villa in front in the first half before Lukas Nmecha's close-range finish after the break – which took a deflection off Ahmed Elmohamady but the Lilywhites striker claimed as his own – ensured the shares were spoiled.

The result ends Preston's run of two defeats in Championship action over the festive period, as promotion-chasing Villa picked up a third draw in their last five league matches.

The hosts flew out of the traps, with Jordan Storey hitting the bar after just two minutes – as Villa failed to clear a corner – before Tom Barkhuizen lofted a half-volley over the bar a minute later.

Both sides struggled to generate any fluency in the opening 45 minutes, with Abraham frequently isolated for the visitors and Nmecha finding it difficult against an experienced Villa defence.

Graham Burke almost sparked the contest into life on 33 minutes, latching onto Daniel Johnson's chipped pass, but Orjan Nyland reacted well to tip his volley wide.

Abraham created a half-chance on 42 minutes, jinking past two Preston challenges and into the area before curling an effort over the bar.

But Dean Smith's side made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time, as Glenn Whelan's whipped corner found its way to Abraham at the back post, who nodded home from close range.

The second period began with a flurry of chances, with Nyland saving well with his legs from Nmecha before Declan Rudd was called into action to repel Conor Hourihane's long-range strike.

Preston grabbed an equaliser on the hour mark, as Nmecha bundled home a cross from Johnson from a yard out – with the aid of Elmohamady.

The Manchester City loanee looked determined to score a second goal, curling wide from 25 yards on 65 minutes and being denied by a last-ditch James Bree tackle two minutes later.

Barhuizen then hit the post from just inside the area from Johnson's through ball before blazing the rebound wide from a tight angle, as Preston pushed for a winner.

Villa remained a threat in the closing stages and Anwar El Ghazi forced Rudd into a smart save on 79 minutes.

Smith's side almost stole all three points at the death as substitute Birkir Bjarnason lashed over the bar from close range on 90 minutes and Rudd then denied the Iceland international in added time.

amp_article__345449 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-31 15:25:12:
html db last update - 2021-03-04 05:02:52 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .