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James Chester's first goal of the season helped Aston Villa to a comfortable victory at Deepdale

Aston Villa climbed back into the Championship top six with a clinical victory at Preston North End.

James Chester headed Villa into an early lead as he met a Robert Snodgrass corner at the near post.

Provider Snodgrass then turned scorer for the second as he swept in from the edge of the penalty box after Josh Onomah found him in space.

Preston failed to mount a reply in a third successive defeat and are now five league games without a win.

Alex Neil's side failed to handle the attacking threat from a Villa side which have now lost only once in their past 12 league games.

Villa also kept a clean sheet for the second time in four days after a goalless draw at Birmingham on Sunday and could have won by more had Albert Adomah converted a second-half chance on the break.

Preston's defence, already depleted through injury and suspension, suffered further setbacks as Calum Woods and Joshua Earl were forced off with knocks at half-time.

Sean Maguire twice had appeals for penalties waved away by referee Peter Bankes, first going down in the area from an apparent challenge by Chester and then again in the second when marked by John Terry.

Preston manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've been in football since I was 16 and I've never known as many injuries at any club at one time.

"Both lads tonight are medial ligament injuries and there's nothing you can do about those injuries.

"The disappointing thing is we defended better with a patched up defence in the second half that we did in the first half."

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce told BBC WM: "In the first half in particular, we were excellent.

"With the chances we've created, it could have been more comfortable, but overall it was a really decent performance.

"My two centre-backs and my goalkeeper were immaculate all night."