Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – The big match preview


Aston Villa will be hoping to build on the five points they have picked up from their last four Premier League games when they head to the capital to take on Roy Hodgson and his Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Sunday 16th May 2021 – 12.00 (GMT)
Selhurst Park, London
Premier League
Sky Sports Main Event

Four of those five points that Aston Villa have picked up in recent weeks have come away from Villa Park. It is no real secret that they have also picked up more points on the road than they have at home.

Crystal Palace have picked up 20 of their 41 points today at Selhurst Park. Despite Villa’s impressive away form, they have scored more goals at Villa Park. Palace on the other hand have struggled for goals at home, scoring just 16 at home and 21 away from Selhurst Park.

You could argue that both sides have very little to play for but Dean Smith still has hopes of pinching a top-half finish in what has been an impressive improvement on last season. Villa have not had to think about relegation this year while it went down to the last day of the season last year.

Palace have done what many expect them to do – survive. It’s one thing they can guarantee with Hodgson, even if it isn’t always pretty. As a club, they have a lot of decisions to make in the summer, player contracts and of course the managers future. Villa fans will know too well, the grass isn’t always greener so just be careful what you wish for Palace fans.

Team news

Aston Villa will welcome back Ollie Watkins following his one-match suspension ruled him out of the goalless draw against Everton.

Jack Grealish made his long-awaited return against Everton. It will be interesting to see if he gets a start or comes off the bench with one eye on the Euro’s in the summer. Morgan Sanson is still unavailable.

Former Villan, Gary Cahill will no doubt return after being rested in midweek against Southampton. Andros Townsend and Jeffrey Schlipp will be pushing for starts.

Patrick Van Aanholt looks likely to miss out due to personal reasons while there will be a late decision made on James Tomkins.

The Officials

Referee: David Coote.

Assistants: Nick Hopton, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Robert Jones. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday.

Last three games against Crystal Palace (all competitions)

December 2020: Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace
July 2020: Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace
August 2019: Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa



Did you know

If Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace it will be their first league double over the Eagles since 1980/81.

Aston Villa have only lost one of their four previous encounters in the capital this season.

Roy Hodgson has beaten Aston Villa (eight) more times than any other opponent in his career.

Predictions

Prediction League

Original Source: A Villa Fan

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