The Premier League 21st-round match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will take place on january 7 at Selhurst Park in London. Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are in crisis. In their last league match the team lost away to Newcastle 0:2. As a result, the club's winless run in the Premier League has grown to five matches, in which it suffered 4 defeats and 1 draw. Those results have led to a drop to 14th place in the standings. Survival is not really the issue, but the gap to the European zone now stands at 4 points. Also note that matches involving the team are among the lowest-scoring in the league — an average of 2.25 goals are scored.
- At home the hosts have not tasted victory in five Premier League matches — 2 draws and 3 defeats.
- Crystal Palace have failed to score more than one goal in their last 5 home Premier League matches.
- The hosts did not score in the second half in each of their previous 5 home league games.
Potential Crystal Palace Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Dean Henderson – Jefferson Lerma, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi – Tyrick Mitchell, Nathaniel Clyne, Will Hughes, Adam Wharton – Brennan Johnson, Jeremy Pino – Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Due to injury midfielders Daichi Kamada, Caleb Kropa and Cheick Doucouré, as well as defenders Chadi Riad and Daniel Muñoz and forward Edward Nketiah will miss the match. Midfielder Ismaïla Sarr has joined his national team.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa quickly recovered from the away defeat to Arsenal at the end of last year (1:4). In their first match of January they hosted Nottingham Forest and comfortably beat one of the outsiders 3:1. Interestingly, the team under Unai Emery has failed to keep a clean sheet for seven consecutive league matches. The team retains its place in the top three of the Premier League and continues to chase the leader, who is 6 points ahead. Also note that Aston Villa have failed to lose in 7 of 10 away matches this season (5 wins and 2 draws).
- The club won 9 of their last 10 Premier League encounters.
- At least three goals were scored in Aston Villa's last 7 league games.
- Both teams scored in each of the team's previous 7 Premier League matches.
Potential Aston Villa Lineup (4-5-1)*
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Ian Matsen, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof – Emiliano Buendía, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans – Ollie Watkins.
Due to injury defenders Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, as well as midfielders Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are out. Forward Evan Hessean has joined his national team.
Referee
Andy Madley (England)
Matches – 9 (the Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow/red cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow/red cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match on average – 22;
Penalties – 0%.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: Match Prediction
Not long ago the hosts were fighting to get into the top four. However, the team clearly lacked the strength to compete both in the league and in Europe, and the weak bench also had an effect. As a result, the club has slipped into the bottom half of the table. Nevertheless, the league is so tight that two or three wins are enough to return to the list of top-5 contenders. To do that, though, they need to compete on equal terms even with Aston Villa, who remain in the top three.
We believe the opponents will produce an entertaining, high-scoring game. Aston Villa score a lot themselves but also allow opponents to score. Three or more goals have been scored in all 7 of Unai Emery's team's last matches. We expect Crystal Palace, despite a small crisis, to find the net against Aston Villa. Also note that at least three goals were scored in five of the previous head-to-head meetings played at the hosts' ground in the Premier League.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
* For each team the starting lineup shown is their previous match in this tournament.