On a quagmire of a pitch Villa take the lead and are unlucky to not be ahead at the break against a niggling Preston side before largely against the run of play of the entire match the northern side take an unassailable lead despite Joe Bache's last minute consolation.

Villa's five game unbeaten run comes to an end as they are beaten at Deepdale to make it six wins, six draws and three defeats in their fifteen division one games so far this season.

Joe Bache, scores for the ninth time in thirteen but Villa lose for the first time in six.