We welcome Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace side to Villa Park this weekend, looking to get back to winning ways after a narrow defeat to Liverpool (1-2) midweek.
Villa ran Klopp’s side close and were left to rue a number of missed opportunities and unforced errors as the Champions League finalists ran out eventual winners. The loss brought to an end a mini-revival of sorts, with wins over Burnley and Norwich, including an away point at Leicester improving Villa’s points tally.
What was most encouraging against Liverpool was the performance and this is something that Villa can hopefully carry into the Palace game. Recent weeks had seen a run of four poor defeats halted, but was punctuated by efficient if uninspiring team and individual displays.
If Villa are to achieve a first top half Premier League finish since 2011, then nothing less than a win will do against the visitors. Cutting out errors at the back and taking our chances in the final third will be key to this, with Villa prone to frustrating gaffes and wastefulness at both ends of the field currently.
The club is in high spirits also following the announcement that Philippe Coutinho’s loan deal has been made permanent. Many supporters are likely still pinching themselves with Barcelona parting with the playmaker for just over £17m. Gerrard’s task is now to get the most out of the Brazilian “magician” and somehow incorporate club record signing Emi Buendia alongside him.
KEY FACTS
- Villa beat Palace in the reverse fixture 2-1.
- Villa have secured just 21 points from 17 home games this season.
- Palace has taken 18 points away from home this season.
- The visitors haven’t won at Villa Park since 2013.
- Villa are undefeated at home against Palace in the last 4.
- Palace haven’t ever finished higher than 10th in the PL.
- Ollie Watkins will be monitored after coming off against Liverpool.
- Injury Updates: Bailey (ankle), Ramsey (Groin), Hause (Hip)
- Villa could go as high as 10th with victory.
- Chris Kavanagh is the ref, Villa have lost the last 3 he officiated.
- Sunday 15th May – Kick Off: 2pm [GMT]
40TH ANNIVERSARY
The club have announced that there will be a special event prior to kick off to commemorate the 40th anniversary of winning the European Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesDiscover: 10 Facts About Aston Villa’s European Cup Win (You might not know).
PREDICTION LINE-UPS
Here is our predicted team news for how each side will line up:
Aston Villa XI
Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; Luiz, Nakamba, McGinn; Coutinho; Ings, Watkins
Crystal Palace XI
Butland; Clyne, Andersen, Tomkins, Mitchell; Gallagher, Hughes, Eze; Olise, Edouard, Zaha
RESULT PREDICTION
Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace
IN QUOTES
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesCoutinho and other players in the team can take Villa to a different dimension. It’s a massive statement.
Patrick viera (Crystal palace manager 13.05.2022)
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool tackles Arsenal’s Patrick Viera.