Aston Villa 2-2 Preston: Jordan Hugill inspires North End comeback

Aston Villa let a two-goal lead slip away as Jordan Hugill struck a brace for Preston in a 2-2 draw at Villa Park.

Two first-half goals, including a penalty, from Albert Adomah seemingly put Villa on the winning track but they went off the boil in the second half.

In-form Preston struggled to get into their stride in the first half but two goals from Hugill changed the whole complexion of the match as Villa lost their earlier rhythm.

Before the game there was a moving tribute in memory of Graham Taylor. Watched by Taylor's wife, Rita, and family, Steve Staunton, the former Villa and Republic of Ireland manager, laid a floral wreath on the centre spot.

Applying a lot of early pressure, Villa were the more dominant side and, in the 12th minute, Gabby Agbonlahor managed to lob a high ball across the face of the Preston goal only for Andre Green to painstakingly head wide.

With only one defeat in their previous eight away games and with an impressive 2-0 home win over promotion pace-setters Brighton last week, Preston were not overwhelmed by Villa's pressure and their second-half comeback had to be applauded.

The speed of former Villa striker, Callum Robinson, was a potential threat as he demonstrated with one searching run which had the home side on the back foot.

But in the 22nd minute Villa steamed ahead. Following a throw-in, Jack Grealish cleverly produced a short lob into the path of Agbonlahor. The striker appeared to lose control but became entangled with Preston's goalkeeper, Chris Maxwell. As a result, the ball ran loose towards an open goal with the alert Adomah providing the finishing touch and in the process ease some tension.

Only a timely intervention by Paul Huntington prevented Agbonlahor increasing Villa's lead but it was only a temporary reprieve as in the 35th minute, Adomah recorded his second goal.

Adomah worked his way into a shooting position only to be brought down in the area by Aiden McCeady. Despite strong protests, referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty which was converted by Adomah.

Preston and their fans became agitated by events as they struggled to get into the first half completely dominated by Villa.

But Preston were allowed back into the game and reduced the arrears in the 64th minute. Hugill collected a loose ball and showing great determination, moved forward. Jordan Amavi timidly backed off from making a tackle allowing Hugill to prime his 20-yard shot past a helpless Sam Johnston.

The goal was a shot in the arm for Preston. Suddenly they found their attacking flair and in the 77th minute McGeady cut in from the left and arrowed in a perfect cross which Hugill headed home to the delight of the travelling fans who could hardly believe the second-half transformation.

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce:

"In my opinion he [Ross McCornack] is not fit enough to play and he will not play unless his attitude towards training and missing training improves.

"If that improves then I will reconsider him but if he continues to miss training, as he has done, that will be the situation.

"There has been too much indiscipline here at Villa. Not in 20 years in management have I ever gone down this route but I feel I have to make a stance because I will not put up with it on my watch."

Preston manager Simon Grayson:

"The first half was as bad as we have been over the last few weeks. We didn't do the basics. We allowed them to dictate the game in the first half.

"Playing in front of a 30,000 home crowd we knew we would be under pressure but we made it too easy for them.

"We didn't lay a glove on them and didn't stop them from playing which has been our strength over the past few months when we have had a good run."