Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Aiming to end their recent struggles in this fixture, Aston Villa travel to Selhurst Park on Wednesday night to face Crystal Palace in a Premier League showdown. The Eagles are hoping to bounce back at home after suffering an away defeat to Newcastle United, while the Villans remain focused on securing a Champions League spot this season.

Crystal Palace’s form has dipped since their three-game winning streak over Burnley, Fulham, and Shelbourne in December. The festive period’s fixture congestion has contributed to a seven-match winless run across all competitions. The Eagles have started their 2026 campaign with just one point from games against Fulham and Newcastle, the latter handing them a 2-0 defeat at St James' Park on Sunday, thanks to goals from Malick Thiaw and Bruno Guimaraes.

Still searching for their first home victory since a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in early November, Oliver Glasner’s side currently sit 14th in the Premier League, seven points behind fourth-placed Liverpool after 20 matches. Palace’s struggle to keep pace with the Champions League contenders is reflected in their home record, with only two wins from ten league matches at Selhurst Park—only Wolverhampton Wanderers have fewer home victories this season.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, with eight goals, has been Palace’s main attacking threat, outscoring his teammates by five. In an effort to bolster their offense, Palace moved quickly in January to sign Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record £35 million.

While power struggles at Chelsea and Manchester United have dominated headlines, Aston Villa continue to flourish under Unai Emery’s leadership. Their impressive 11-match winning streak in all competitions was snapped by league leaders Arsenal at the end of 2025, but the Villans bounced back with a 3-1 win over Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

After a slow start to the season and falling behind Donyell Malen in the pecking order, Ollie Watkins has rediscovered his form, netting four goals in his last three games. Manchester City’s draw with Chelsea at the Etihad allowed Villa to pull level with City on 42 points, six behind leaders Arsenal.

Despite their recent progress under Emery, Aston Villa have struggled against Crystal Palace, failing to win any of their last six meetings with the Eagles.

The demanding festive schedule has taken a toll on Crystal Palace, with Nathaniel Clyne becoming the latest casualty during the weekend clash at St James' Park. The veteran defender was forced off early in the second half due to a groin injury, prompting Justin Devenny to come on as his replacement. Earlier in the match, the Eagles had already made a concussion substitution for the dazed Jefferson Lerma.

As a result, 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot could be called upon to join Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix in a potential centre-back trio on Wednesday night.

For Aston Villa, midfielders Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans impressed in the win over Forest, helping to offset the absence of Amadou Onana, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. There is positive news on the defensive front, as both Pau Torres (calf) and Tyrone Mings (hamstring) are nearing returns from injury.

Elsewhere, Evann Guessand remains unavailable while representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, Harvey Elliott is awaiting his return to Merseyside, and Ross Barkley is out with a knee problem.

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