Aston Villa welcome Crystal Palace to Villa Park in a mid-table Premier League clash.
Victory would see Villa leapfrog their visitors and go 10th if Leicester also fail to win at Watford, whereas a win would see Palace go ninth if Brighton and Leicester both lose elsewhere.
Team News
Jacob Ramsey could return for Aston Villa after missing their last two matches with a groin injury.
Ollie Watkins (ankle) is a doubt but Leon Bailey (ankle) and Kortney Hause (abdominal) remain absent.
Crystal Palace will be without James McArthur as he recovers from a calf strain.
Vicente Guaita (unspecified) and Marc Guehi (ankle) are doubts but Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have won three of their last five meetings against Crystal Palace (W3, L2).
- Crystal Palace have claimed four points from their last five visits to Villa Park (W1, D1, L3).
- Villa’s John McGinn has scored in each of their last two matches against Palace (W1, L1), albeit away at Selhurst Park.
- Ollie Watkins has been caught offside more than any other Villa player this season, having been found offside on 14 occasions in 32 league appearances.
- Tyrick Mitchell has made more interceptions than any other Palace player this season, having produced 38 interceptions in 33 league appearances.
Prediction
Although Villa were always set to lose to an in-form Liverpool on Tuesday evening, they certainly did incredibly well to pose tough questions of the Reds with a strong attacking display, even though small defensive mistakes proved the difference eventually.
Palace meanwhile weren’t at their best against Watford last weekend despite snatching a lucky winner from the penalty spot, so hopefully we will see a more fiery attacking performance from the Eagles here in what could be a competitive match.
If Villa play like they have done in their last two matches but better, I can’t see Palace getting anything unless they can show their defensive mettle and play like Liverpool did in midweek.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Crystal Palace