By Richard Wakefield
Party in Preston?
With a Sam Winnall equaliser coming in the closing stages of Villa’s midweek exploits at Oakwell, the disappointing draw with Barnsley has put Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo under serious pressure.
With a trip to Deepdale awaiting Villa before the international break, a win against Preston could instil some much needed optimism for the Villa faithful over the next two weeks.
When a team has only racked up one win in 10 league games this season (lets not even mention last season), then help is needed to find a way to win. Here’s three ways that Villa can beat Preston North End…
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2. Copycat
As Preston’s set-piece taking is clearly their focal point of attack, it creates a stark contrast to their competition on Saturday as Villa have scored just one goal from a set-piece this season. Aaron Tshibola’s equaliser against Newcastle is the only goal that wasn’t scored from open play for Villa.
Surely as well as training how to defend corners, it would only make sense to give the Villa team an extra option when looking to break the Preston rear-guard.
There certainly has been a lack of variation and ideas when it’s come to Villa’s corner, although at least Jordan Ayew can beat the first man.
With such players like Gestede, Kozak, Kodjia, Baker, Chester and Elphick all boasting an aerial presence as well as the majority of the Villa team, becoming set-piece specialists could see Villa finally break their drawing habit.
