Two of the Premier League’s playing legends now meet as managers as Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace host Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.
If Wolves lose elsewhere, victory would see Palace climb to sixth until Saturday evening at minimum, whereas Villa can improve to 11th with a win if Southampton lose at Liverpool.
Team News
James McArthur is ruled out for Crystal Palace after suffering a hamstring injury which kept him out of last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Burnley and will keep him ruled out until New Year.
Nathan Ferguson remains absent as he continues his recovery from a long-term Achilles injury.
Villa could be without Douglas Luiz due to a hamstring injury although the Brazilian could face a late fitness test.
Bertrand Traore (thigh) and Trezeguet (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have won just two of their last five meetings against Aston Villa (W2, L3).
- Villa have won just one of their last five visits to Selhurst Park (W1, L4).
- Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi scored once in both matches against Palace last season (W1, L1).
- Michael Olise has been yellow carded in each of Palace’s last two matches with both bookings coming after the 80th minute.
- Tyrone Mings has scored more aerial battles than any other Villa player, having won 34 of his 56 aerial battles.
Prediction
One key aspect in Palace’s play has been their aggressive attacking but they did struggle with set pieces in a cracking draw at Burnley last weekend on top of poor marking, yet showed great unity to recover to briefly regain the lead.
Villa meanwhile delivered a clinical victory over Brighton with positive attacking intensity on top of a stubborn defence, which will give them fresh confidence coming into this match because they will need to be focused if they’re to handle Palace’s aggression.
In fact, I can see this game boiling down to nailing the right tactics and overall performance across ninety minutes and for me, Palace do seem to have the better quality at present but this won’t be an easy match for either team.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa