Crystal Palace will welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park this Saturday as both teams look to get all three points in the third league game of the season.
Venue: Selhurst Park (London)
Key Statistics
Crystal Palace have won five of their last nine games at home (D3, L1).
The hosts have failed to score only once in their last seven league games.
They have kept five clean sheets in their last 10 home matches.
Aston Villa have failed to win 18 of their last 22 Premier trips to London (D2, L16) whilst losing five of six last season.
They have failed to score in only one of their last eight league games.
Steven Gerrard currently maintains the strongest away win rate in the PL of any Villa manager in history (43% – W6, D1, L7).
Head to head
In 20 Premier League meetings between both sides, Crystal Palace have eight wins while Aston Villa have seven wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Crystal Palace: D-L-W-W-D
Aston Villa: W-D-W-D-W
Crystal Palace
After their disappointing opening day loss to Arsenal in Game-week one, Crystal Palace bounced back last weekend to take a point from title challengers Liverpool at Anfield.
In an entertaining game at Anfield, the Eagles took a shock lead in the first half when Wilfried Zaha was sent through on goal by a through ball from Eberechi Eze. But Liverpool, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half after summer signing, Darwin Nunez was sent off for violent conduct, fought back to snatch a point thanks to a goal from Luis Diaz.
After the game, manager Patrick Vieira stated how satisfied he was with his side’s response, highlighting that the work rate, determination, and courage they displayed are the ‘ingredients’ that his Eagles side must bring if they are to continue getting results against top Premier League teams.
And so his side come into this tie full of confidence after their impressive display at Anfield on Monday. However, the Frenchman will hope he is third-time lucky in his personal managerial battle with Steven Gerrard, as he is still looking for his first managerial win over his counterpart having lost and drawn the first two meetings between the pair.
Possible Crystal Palace starting line-up
Vicente Guaita; Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Cheick Doucoure, Jeffrey Schlupp; Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha; Odsonne Edouard.
Injured: Jack Butland, Nathan Ferguson, James McArthur, James Tomkins
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Aston Villa
Aston Villa will look to make it two wins in two games when they travel to London on Saturday.
After losing to Bournemouth in their first game of the season, the visitors bounced back last weekend, defeating Everton 2-1 at home to claim their first league win of the season.
The win would have pleased Steven Gerrard, who was beginning to draw criticism from a section of the Villa fan base. The former Liverpool midfielder has recruited smartly this summer and is expected to challenge for a top seven finish given the players he has attracted to the club.
However, the news of summer signing Diego Carlos being out for six months after rupturing his achilles comes as a blow for Gerrard, who is now considering adding further defensive reinforcements to give his side a chance this season.
But for this game, they will at least fancy their chances of winning without the defensive experience of Carlos, considering that they have lost just once to Palace in their last five meetings.
Possible Aston Villa starting line-up
Emi Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Calum Chambers, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara; Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, Danny Ings.
Injured: Diego Carlos, Kortney Hause
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
