Aston Villa lineup vs. Preston: Predicted XI for FA Cup quarter-final as Ollie Watkins boost confirmed

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery is expected to have Ollie Watkins at his disposal for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Preston North End at Deepdale.

The England international could not link up with his Three Lions teammates this month, having sustained a small knee injury against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

However, Watkins has been back in full training at Villa's headquarters this week and should therefore be given the green light to spearhead the attack, where Emery has an embarrassment of riches.

Marco Asensio could hardly have done more to earn promotion to the first XI, having netted a brace off the bench in the UCL last-16 second-leg win over Club Brugge, prior to which he also bagged both goals in the FA Cup success over Cardiff City.

The Paris Saint-Germain loanee is therefore a strong candidate to start on the right-hand side of the attack, while Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers should keep Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey at bay.

Emery also has a welcome selection dilemma in the middle of the park, where John McGinn could edge out Boubacar Kamara to partner Youri Tielemans, unless the Scotsman starts in a more advanced position.

Chelsea-owned Axel Disasi is cup-tied, though, so expect Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa to line up alongside Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen in defence; Pau Torres is still regaining match fitness following a foot fracture.

Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Asensio, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins

> Click here to see how Preston could line up for the quarter-final