Aston Villa 2 Preston 2 - Report

Two first half goals from Albert Adomah looked to have Steve Bruce's team on course for a morale-boosting three points.

But Hugill hauled Preston back into it with a superb solo strike midway through the second half.

And he then completed the turnaround by heading home Aiden McGeady's cross to leave Villa without a win in four league games.

Analysis

Defeat for Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night means Villa have cut the gap on the top six to nine points.

But that will come as little consolation for boss Bruce, after watching his team squander a victory which for much of the afternoon looked certain to be theirs.

The first half performance was Villa's best for some time with new signing Henri Lansbury enjoying an impressive debut.

Both of Adomah's goals, the second of which came from the penalty spot, contained elements of controversy. Yet they were no more than dominant Villa deserved and they could have led by more.

The second half, however, was a different story altogether as Preston improved, Hugill scored twice and Villa were unable to raise their game.

Bruce had made no secret of his displeasure at recent performances and Villa's team contained no fewer than five changes, including a debut for Lansbury and a first career league start for Andre Green.

Jack Grealish, Ashley Westwood and Nathan Baker were all restored to the starting line-up, the latter after recovering from a hamstring strain. There was, meanwhile, no place in the 18 for either Ross McCormack or Mile Jedinak, though Micah Richards did return to the bench after more than three months out injured.

Villa had failed to register a shot on target when losing 1-0 at Wolves a week ago but with Lansbury pushing forward and Green willing to take players on down the left, they looked far more threatening from the off.

The latter should have put them ahead on 12 minutes but headed wide at the far post from an Agbonlahor cross.

As it was, Villa only had to wait another ten minutes for their first goal of 2017, even if there was more than a whiff of controversy about it.

A poor first touch by Agbonlahor as he looked to control Jack Grealish's chipped through ball seemed to make Preston keeper Chris Maxwell favourite for the ball. But the striker continued his run, clattering into the keeper and allowing Adomah to slot home from a yard out, with referee Andrew Madley waving away some understandable protests from the visiting team.

Westwood and Agbonlahor both went close to adding another before another moment of controversy allowed Villa to double their lead. McGeady was adamant he had won the ball when challenging Adomah in the box but Madley pointed to the spot and then confirmed his decision after consultation with his assistant. Adomah stepped up to fire high into the net for his second of the game.

Despite the controversy, Villa were more than worthy of the two-goal advantage. Yet the second half would prove far more tricky as Preston rallied and found a way back into the game through Hugill, who picked up the ball just inside his own half, advanced on the home defence and fired a shot into the top corner from just inside the box.

Fourteen minutes from time, the same man struck again as the comeback was completed. McGeady crossed from the left and Hugill headed past Villa keeper Sam Johnstone from six yards out.

Key moments

12 - Andre Green heads wide at the far post from Agbonahlor's cross. A glorious chance for his first Villa goal.

22 - GOAL Villa ahead with their first goal of 2017. Adomah slots home from a yard out after Agbonlahor challenge on Preston keeper Chris Maxwell.

28 - Ashley Westwood drills a long range effort just over the bar as Villa continue to make all the running.

30 - It is Villa asking all the questions. Amavi crosses low and Agbonlahor is denied a goal when his close range header is deflected wide.

36 - GOAL Villa double their lead as Adomah bags his second of the game. The wideman is brought down by Aiden McGeady and gets up to fire home from the spot.

49 - McGeady shoots just wide of the post from distance for the visitors. Their first effort with any real menace.

51 - Villa break three-on-two but Grealish's attempted pass to Agbonlahor is cut out by a defender.

64 - GOAL Preston are back in it. Jordan Hugill picks up the ball just inside his own half, advances to the edge of the box and fires into the corner of the net.

71 - Brave defending by James Chester to deny Hugill an equaliser. Defender got his head to the ball before the striker's boot.

76 - GOAL Preston are level. Hugill heads home McGeady's cross after Preston play a corner short.

Teams

Villa (4-2-3-1): Johnstone, Hutton, Chester ©, Baker, Amavi (Gardner 89), Westwood, Lansbury (Bacuna 78), Adomah, Grealish (Davis 90+2), Green, Agbonlahor Subs not used: Richards, Elphick, Tshibola, Bunn (gk).

Preston (4-4-2): Maxwell, Vermijl, Clarke, Huntington, Spurr, Gallagher, Browne, Johnson, McGeady, Robinson (Horgan 60), Hugill (Beckford 78) Subs not used: Boyle, Grimshaw, Pringle, Makienok, Lindegaard (gk).