North End travelled to Villa for their second tough game in under a week and arguable the most difficult out of the remaining away games. Preston were unnerved and held their own throughout.
Barkhuizen gave Preston the lead in the first half. Villa failed to clear a corner and as the ball was bouncing around the box the frontman, with his back to goal, wrapped his foot around the ball which found its way into the net.
North End were on top but could not finish the job and that is always the worry with a one goal lead. Villa were given a lifeline in the second half when Barkhuizen was adjudged to have fouled Davis in the box.
Most thought the penalty was really soft and it was a second big decision in two games to go against Preston after the sending off of Welsh on Saturday.
Grabban converted the penalty and the game ended all square. Preston dropped down in the table but still remain within touching distance of the top six with the remaining midweek fixtures to be completed tonight.
A point at a top six side will always be considered value for money but Preston need to convert their home games against sides below them in the table if they are to have any chance of making the play offs.