Aston Villa will be looking to overtake Crystal Palace on the Premier League table when they face each other on Saturday. The visitors have seven points from their opening four Premier League games. The hosts have six points from a potential 12 so far this season.
Preview (Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace)
Aston Villa has had a mixed start to the current campaign. They have won two and lost two of their first four Premier League games. They also produced an 8-0 aggregate triumph over Hibernian to qualify for the Europa Conference League group stage. Prior to the start of the international break, Unai Emery’s team suffered a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah sandwiching an own goal by Matty Cash. This defeat left the Lions in 10th place in the standings. Villa will be happy to be back at home. They have won all eight of their recent Premier League games by an average score of 18-2. This included a convincing 4-0 success over Everton at the end of August.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Saturday’s opponents Crystal Palace in March marked the start of their amazing winning streak at Villa Park, extending their unbeaten home record against the Eagles to six games. Emery and company will be eager to get back on track this weekend against a team that has a good chance of winning so they can gather confidence before preparing for their Europa Conference League debut against Legia Warsaw in Poland and a trip to Chelsea on the road in the top division.
Only Tottenham Hotspur (0.36) do the Eagles have a lower goal-to-game ratio away from home against an opponent that they have faced at least 10 times in the top flight. Palace enters Saturday’s game having won just one of their last 11 trips to Villa Park, a 1-0 victory in December 2013. They have also only scored five goals (0.45 per game) during this run. However, Palace has made an unbeaten start on the road thus far this term, scoring six goals in the process.
Team News
Due to injury, Aston Villa will be without Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings (both knee), Jacob Ramsey (ankle), and Tim Iroegbunam. Diego Carlos (hamstring) and Alex Moreno (thigh) are also doubtful for this weekend. In the meantime, Phillipe Coutinho has signed a loan deal with Qatari club Al-Duhail. Emery may switch to a 4-4-2 formation in Carlos’ anticipated absence. Ezri Konsa partnering with one of Pau Torres or Clement Lenglet at center back. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will start at fullback.
Youri Tielemans recently expressed his frustration over a lack of playing time. The midfielder may have to settle for a spot on the substitutes’ bench once more. Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, and John McGinn are all preferred over the Belgian by Emery at the moment. Moussa Diaby should continue to support Ollie Watkins in attack. Michael Olise and Matheus Franca are still sidelined by hamstring and back injuries. Marc Guehi is a doubt after being substituted at halftime of England’s victory over Scotland. Rob Holding might make his debut alongside Joachim Andersen in defense for Crystal Palace.
After recovering from a knee injury, Will Hughes made his first appearance of the year as a late substitute in the victory over Wolves. The midfielder will be in the running to start alongside Cheick Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma. Eze and Edouard each have taken 19 shots in the Premier League so far this season, trailing just Erling Haaland (20), and the Eagles combo are anticipated to remain in the starting lineup this weekend with the former playing in an advanced midfield position behind the latter up front.
Aston Villa 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
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