Aston Villa have great expectations says Preston North End boss

The pressure is on both North End boss Alex Neil and Villa counterpart Steve Bruce to get a result.

Neil’s men need to get off a dreadful run which sees them winless in nine league games, while Villa sit 15th which is massively below expectations.

The Midlands side were beaten play-off finalists in May and substantial funds have been injected since in order to prevent them hitting financial meltdown.

This is their third season at this level and getting back to the Premier League remains the expectation.

Neil said: “It is Premier League status and the cash which puts expectation on Aston Villa.

“They had a right go last year with the type of player they brought in.

“They’ve had to have new investment to sustain that as financially they were going to get into a lot of trouble.

“Now someone else has taken it on and given them huge financial backing.

“The pressure is always going to be on a club like that and Steve will know that more than anyone.”

Villa drew 1-1 at Bristol City on Friday night, with Birkir Bjarnason scoring their equaliser.

Bruce was at Deepdale the following afternoon to watch North End ahead of this evening’s clash.