Updated at 20.22
FORMER DUNDALK STAR Andy Boyle has been handed a chance to impress for Preston tonight at Deepdale.
Boyle got off to a decent start after signing from the Lilywhites in the last January transfer window, featuring seven times in the Championship for the 2016-17 campaign.
However, the Dubliner has struggled to get a look in since Alex Neil replaced Simon Grayson as Preston’s manager, with just a sole League Cup appearance against Accrington to his name so far this season.
Nonetheless, after the club conceded three goals at home to Brentford on Saturday, Neil has given Boyle a chance with skipper Paul Huntington suspended.
The 26-year-old centre-back is one of eight Irish players involved tonight in the respective matchday squads.
In addition to Boyle, both Sean Maguire and Alan Browne start for Preston, while Daryl Horgan and Kevin O’Connor make the bench.
Meanwhile, for Aston Villa, Glenn Whelan and Conor Hourihane feature in the starting XI, while Scott Hogan is among the substitutes.
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