By Daily Sports on February 21, 2018

Aston Villa missed the chance to move into the automatic promotion places in England's second-tier Championship as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Preston North End on Tuesday.

Steve Bruce's side knew that victory would have taken them one point clear of second-placed Cardiff City ahead of the Welsh outfit's visit to Ipswich on Wednesday, but failed to see off playoff hopefuls Preston.

The visitors took a 37th-minute lead as Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone failed to fully clear a corner and Tom Barkhuizen hooked in an acrobatic volley.

Preston were the better team before half-time as Johnstone was forced into two saves, but on-loan Bournemouth striker Lewis Grabban came off the bench to rescue a point from the penalty spot.

It was the January signing's first goal for Villa, coming after Keinan Davis was brought down by Barkhuizen.

Villa are now a point behind Cardiff, with runaway leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers 11 points clear at the top ahead of their Wednesday game against Norwich City. © AFP

•Photo shows Aston Villa players react.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 21, 2018

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