Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have a date in the Premier League on match day 12 of the 2024-25 season at Villa Park. Aston Villa had a very fine season in the Premier League last season. The Villans maintained their grip on fourth place despite a stern challenge from Spurs to qualify for the Champions League football this season. Palace, on the other hand, made a strong finish to end the campaign on a high note under the watch of new manager Oliver Glasner. 

As of the time of writing this article, Aston Villa are fifth on the log with 14 points from seven games, while Palace are 18th with just three points from the same number of games. The Villans are looking strong for another top-four finish, while the Eagles have made a slow start to the season.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa were busy during the transfer window as they got the likes of Amadou Onana from Everton, Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, Ross Barkley from relegated Luton Town, Cameron Archer from Sheffield United, Lewis Dobbin from Everton, Jaden Philogene from Hull City, and the duo of Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus. In return, they had to let go the likes of Moussa Diaby leaving for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Douglas Luiz to Juventus, Morgan Sanson to OGC Nice, Tim Iroegbunam to Everton, Calum Chambers to Cardiff City, while Philippe Coutinho and Filip Marschall left on loan for Vasca da Gama and Crewe Alexandra respectively.

Despite the huge number of arrivals, the team has continued to grow in strength under the eyes of the former Arsenal manager. Striker John Duran has been key off the bench for them in all competitions and the club has even decided to get him a new deal at the club until 2030. As of the time of writing, the Colombian has six goals from just one start for the club this term. Emery has the option of the striker and others to help him navigate a Crystal Palace side that can be difficult on their day.

The visitors have made a poor start to the season. It is quite shocking that they failed to win any game in their opening seven games of the season given how they finished the previous campaign. Not so many changes have happened bar Michael Olise who left for Bayern Munich and Jordan Ayew who moved to Leicester City. There is still a strong belief that the team can turn things around, with the manager looking to star man Eberechi Eze as the one to lead his side.

“He always has chances,” Glasner told TNT Sports about Eze. “He always creates chances, he always has chances to score himself.

“He was unlucky this season. He had chances for five or six goals at least. He can solve situations by dribbling, he creates space for other players. He’s so very important in our offence. He’s a good guy, a good character, so he tries his best. His biggest strength is threatening the defence, and creating moments in offence. And therefore he is very important to us,” the manager said.

Palace have already lost four of their opening seven games and have three draws to their name. Going to Villa will not be easy for Glasner’s side given the current circumstances. Judging by form as well, they have lost on five of their six previous visits to Villa Park.

In terms of the head-to-head, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have played 23 games since 1997. Among them, Aston Villa won 10 games, Crystal Palace won 8, and five of their past meetings have ended as a draw. 

Match tickets

This Premier League match at Villa Park in Birmingham kicks off on Saturday 23rd November 2024, at 3 pm UK time.

The magnificent 42,530-capacity stadium is the place to be for this clash between the Champions League campaigners and a side trying to beat the drop this term.

Getting Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels. 

Team news

Line-ups

Unai Emery’s men have continued their fine form this season. Apart from the home defeat to Arsenal, they have been impressive and they might be a force to reckon with this term. Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, Robin Olsen, and John McGinn have been sidelined but should be back for this clash in London. In addition, Boubacar Kamara and Tyronne Mings, who are just returning from long-term injuries, could be available for this visit.

All things being equal, Emiliano Martinez is expected to remain in goal, while Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran should be key in the final third for the Villans.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, McGin, Onana, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.

Crystal also have a couple of players missing due to injuries and lack of match fitness on their roster. Regardless, Glasner should be able to call upon a strong team for this trip to Villa. Eberechi Eze is expected to play a part in the attack, while the likes of Mateta and Nketiah will contribute their own quota as well.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lacroix, Guehi, Lerma, Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell, Nketiah, Eze, Mateta

Prediction

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa typically adopt high defensive lines in an attempt to defend away from goal. They press aggressively looking to minimize spaces between the lines and thriving off transitional attacks. 

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace do have an identity under Glasner but they need to translate it into results.

The Villans won this same fixture at home last season and will need to be wary of the threat the visitors pose if they want a repeat of that. 

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace