FA shares official Preston v Aston Villa announcement
Aston Villa have a busy few months ahead as they aim to compete on three fronts and their hopes in the FA Cup rest on a trip to face Preston North End in the quarter-finals.
Unai Emery’s side face a tough test against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, but will face lower-league opposition in Preston as they aim to reach Wembley in the FA Cup.
Villa have beaten West Ham, Tottenham and Cardiff City to set up a last-eight tie to be played at Deepdale on 30th March, with the visitors set to be heavy favourites against the Championship side.
It has now been announced that this quarter-final clash will be unique for one reason, with there set to be a key difference between this tie and the rest of the quarters.
Preston vs Aston Villa will not have semi-automated offside technology
The FA has released a statement (17 March) confirming that while VAR (video assistant referee) technology will be in place for all four quarter-final ties, Preston vs Aston Villa will be the only one to not trial new semi-automated offside technology.
The reason behind this is that every other clash is at a Premier League ground, with all other six teams still remaining in the competition currently competing in the top flight.
| FA Cup Quarter-Final | Date |
| Preston North End vs Aston Villa | 30 March |
| Brighton vs Nottingham Forest | 29 March |
| Fulham vs Crystal Palace | 29 March |
| Bournemouth vs Manchester City | 30 March |
Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) looks set to be implemented in the top flight and beyond soon, having already seen success in the Champions League, but Villa will have to wait longer than the other quarter-finalists to see it in action.
Aston Villa face heavy fixture congestion as cup glory targeted
Villa have a tough schedule ahead, with their first game after the break coming at Deepdale, but Emery will not want his side to relent in any competition.
The Villains are currently ninth in the Premier League, but are just three points behind Manchester City in fifth, with all to play for in the run-in.
The key focus may be both cups. With Man City the only ‘big six’ side remaining in the FA Cup, this could be the perfect opportunity for Villa to win a major trophy.
Should Villa also progress in the Champions League, they will face the winner of Real Madrid’s quarter-final tie with Arsenal, but if Villa can beat PSG, they will fancy themselves against any opponent.