Preston vs Aston Villa LIVE: Balloons trigger havoc as Championship aspect plot upset in FA Cup quarter-finals

Another dangerous free-kick for Villa as Storey brings down Ramsey around 25 yards out.

Rashford lines it up again, alongside Digne – but the Frenchman blasts it over the bar.

Almost some superb play from Rogers as he turns inside and out of Whiteman in the box, but the Preston man is equal to it eventually.

Rogers would’ve been 1-v-1 with Cornell had the midfielder not made the challenge.

Shouts around Deepdale as Meghoma is dragged down off the ball in a rare Preston attack, but the ref waves it away.

Villa have certainly settled now, with Preston happy to sit back at the moment.

Deepdale is loud. It is far from the only tie this season that suggests the FA Cup can mean more to clubs who aren’t accustomed to always being involved at this stage.

The one-off flavour of the occasion – certainly in the lifetime of many Preston fans – has caused a complication or two, however.

Preston probably released too many white balloons on the pitch beforehand. Even with Robbie Brady stamping on a few, there are still several on the edge of the penalty box.

CLOSE! The first real chance of the game falls to Villa.

Asensio picks up the clearance from his corner and floats a lovely cross in to the area around the penalty spot. Mings misses it but Konsa gets a head to it, but he can only flash it wide! Probably should’ve scored in truth.

It’s starting to get worrying for Preston, with Villa getting forward with ease.

Rashford’s cross is put out for a corner, and from the set-piece, the hosts counter before Cash does well to win a free-kick off Riis.

There are dozens of balloons floating around near the Preston area as Ramsey is brought down around 30 yards out. There’s a lot of space for the Villa midfielders when they pick the ball up.

Rashford lines up the set-piece – it’s on target but it’s too tame to trouble Cornell.

Another encouraging foray forward from Villa as Ramsey gets forward well on the overlap, but there’s a foul in the box as the shot is prevented.

Encouraging early signs for Villa, as Martinez comfortably collects a long throw a minute or so after Lucas Digne had wasted a half-chance after some great play in midfield.

Plenty of early possession for Villa but this particular period ends with Asensio playing a cross-field ball straight of play.

Both sides just looking to settle in the opening stages.