The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with stuttering Aston Villa held to a three all draw at home to bottom side Preston North End. Conor Hourihane started for Villa and was replaced on eighty three minutes by Glenn Whelan, while once touted Ireland goalkeeping target Mark Bunn started for the first time this season. Long time groin injury casualty Scott Hogan was on the Villa bench, also for the first time this season. Alan Browne and Callum Robinson both started for Preston while Graham Burke was an unused substitute. Alan Judge started for Brentford in their one all draw with visitors Birmingham City and Darren Randolph was in action for Middlesbrough in their two nil victory at Ipswich Town. Broken arm victim James McClean returned to action as a sixty eight minute substitute for Stoke City in their two nil victory over visitors Bolton Wanderers who had Marc Wilson in defence.
Ronan Curtis scored the only goal for First Division leaders Portsmouth in their one nil victory at Coventry City.