Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace: Preview team news and prediction

Crystal Palace will return to action after the international break when they will travel to Villa Park to face off against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Despite enduring a disappointing campaign last term, the Eagles ended the season on a high note following the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the new boss. They have continued that momentum so far this season, accumulating seven points in the first four games and sitting seventh in the table at the moment.

Palace will be coming into this game off the back of an excellent 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers right before the international break and they will be looking to keep their winning run going this weekend.

However, coming away with all three points from Villa Park won’t be easy as after qualifying for European competition this season, Villa have spent big this summer to continue challenging for the European spot. So, Palace would be happy if they can manage to earn a single point from this fixture.

Summer reinforcements

Crystal Palace made a few signings to strengthen their squad in the recently concluded summer window. They have purchased Dean Henderson from Manchester United after deciding to sell Vicente Guaita.

The Eagles have also purchased Rob Holding from Arsenal to bolster their backline, while Jefferson Lerma is signed on a free transfer to reinforce the engine room.

They have acquired Matheus Franca’s service to strengthen their frontline. But, he is expected to be a signing for the future and isn’t likely to be a regular starter this season.

The biggest positive for Palace in this window is that they have managed to keep hold of their star players. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Cheick Doucoure were all on the radar of the top six English clubs this summer.

Chelsea even opted to trigger Olise’s release clause to lure him to Stamford Bridge. However, the player rejected the move as he felt staying at Palace would be better for his development.

Previous encounters

It’s pretty even when it comes to who has won more games in the meetings between these two sides over the years. But the teams at home tend to come away with all three points so this is an unwanted stat for Palace.

The South London club haven’t enjoyed great success at Villa Park over the last few decades as they have won only one game – which came a decade ago – in the last 11 encounters in all competitions, losing six of those matches. So, Hodgson’s side will be hoping to come away with all three points from this fixture this weekend and overcome their struggle at Villa Park.

How to watch

The game will kick off at 3 pm UK time so the match is blocked from being telecasted on TV in the UK due to the ‘blackout rule’. Fans can still buy Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace tickets for the game on Seatsnet but you should act fast if you want to secure one as the game is expected to be sold out.

Team News

Olise has been sidelined since the start of this season due to an injury problem and is expected to miss out on this encounter as well. New signing Franca hasn’t featured for his new club yet owing to an injury and is also likely to be ruled out this weekend.

Marc Guehi was taken off at halftime during his international duty with England against Scotland and Gareth Southgate has said that he has sustained a knock so, he is in doubt ahead of this encounter.

As for Villa, Philippe Coutinho won’t be featuring in this fixture as he has joined Qatari side Al Duhail on a season-long loan deal. Jacob Ramsey and Alejandro Moreno have been sidelined with injury problems but they could return this weekend but they aren’t expected to start.

Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings have suffered serious knee issues so they have been ruled out for the majority of this term. Therefore, they aren’t in contention to feature this weekend.

Diogo Carlos also sustained an issue in the last game against Liverpool and limped off in the first half. His injury looked to be a muscle issue so he is also likely to miss out on this encounter.

Key players

Eze is the talismanic figure for Palace and amid Olise’s injury, extra responsibility will be on the Englishman to create chances and score goals.

After joining the club back in 2021, Edouard hasn’t been prolific at all in front of the goal for the Eagles. But, he has started the season promisingly, scoring three goals in four matches. So, the South Londoners will be hoping that he will be able to continue his impressive displays this weekend as well.

For Villa, Watkins is their main goal-scoring threat and Palace will have to keep him quiet if they want to come away with a positive result from this encounter.

New signing Diaby has also started his life in the Premier League promisingly and he has the quality to cause all sorts of problems for the Eagles backline.

Predicted line-up

Hodgson has been using 4-2-3-1 formation since becoming Palace boss last term and is expected to go with the same formation this weekend.

Sam Johnstone is likely to continue in goal for Palace in this encounter despite the arrival of Henderson, while Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell could be the back four. In case, Guehi can’t start then Holding could commence in place of him.

Doucoure and Lerma are expected to start as the midfield pivot, while Eze should commence in the number ten role. Jordan Ayew, Odsonne Edouard and Jeffrey Schlupp could be the front three for the Eagles.

Crystal Palace Predicted starting eleven

Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard

As for Villa, Emery is expected to go with a 4-4-2 system with Emiliano Martínez likely to be between the sticks. Responsibility will be on Ollie Watkins to score goals this weekend but he has so far been a provider rather than finisher this term.

Expected Villa line-up

Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Nicolo Zaniolo; Watkins, Moussa Diaby

Prediction

The home team have dominated this fixture over the last couple of decades so Villa will be the favourite coming into this fixture. But, Palace have the firepower to hurt Emery’s side and come away with all three points.

With European matches set to commence for Villa from next week, Emery might look to shuffle his squad a bit and if the Spaniard opt to do that then that will help Palace to come away with a positive result from this encounter.

But, Palace would find it very hard to stop Villa at their home ground so they might have to face a defeat in this fixture. Aston Villa 2-1 Crystal Palace