Asensio starts, Rashford decision - Aston Villa starting XI vs Preston predicted
Unai Emery's Aston Villa take on Preston North End in the FA Cup on Sunday - one step from a semi-final at Wembley
Aston Villa have the chance to return to Wembley for the first time in five years this weekend as they take on Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Unai Emery’s side progressed to the final eight after beating Cardiff City at home, following victories over West Ham and Tottenham in the previous rounds.
Preston, meanwhile, beat Wycombe Wanderers on penalties in round four before claiming a 3-0 victory over Championship promotion hopefuls Burnley.
Villa will play at least seven games across all competitions in April, but their full focus is on Preston following the March international break.
Several first-team players who weren’t called up for national team duty spent a few days at a training camp with Emery in Dubai last week.
Tyrone Mings, Axel Disasi, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, Amadou Onana, Pau Torres, and Marco Asensio were among the group.
Emery will provide a team news update during his media conference on Friday, but both Torres and Onana are expected to be available after returning from injury before the international break.
Ollie Watkins wasn’t selected for England after suffering a minor knee injury against Club Brugge. It was reported that the striker agreed with Thomas Tuchel to rest during the break.
Ross Barkley, however, hadn’t returned to action before the internationals after suffering a knee ligament issue earlier this year.
Emi Martínez should start in goal, possibly behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Mings, and Lucas Digne.
Mings worked closely with Emery in Dubai, while Konsa and Digne returned injury-free from their stints with their respective national teams. Disasi is cup-tied.
In midfield, Kamara could partner Youri Tielemans, who missed Belgium’s second game in the March internationals due to suspension.
Marco Asensio can operate in the number 10 role, with Morgan Rogers flanking on either the left or right. Considering he is more effective on the left, John McGinn could provide balance on the opposite side, though Emery praised their versatility in a press conference earlier this month.
Marcus Rashford, Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey, and Donyell Malen are also options for Emery in attack or to bring off the bench.
Villa predicted XI: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, McGinn; Watkins.