With the first target of the new season secure with the Community Shield safe and sound in SE25, the second was to ensure safe passage into the league phase of the Europa Conference League.
That was accomplished after a nervy goalless draw in Fredrikstad on Thursday which let to the excitement of seeing the Eagles included in the all new digital draw at midday on Friday.
That is when we found out that our six opponents take in opponents from the Netherlands, Ukraine, Finland, France, Cyprus and Ireland. The first fixture is yet to be confirmed but will take place on 2 October which we can all look forward to.
Before then, we have a small matter four Premier League fixtures and a South London derby in the Carabao Cup, starting with Villa in Birmingham on Sunday evening.
With Oliver Glasner being very vocal on the transfer dealings this summer by the club, or more to the point, the lack of them, it is good to see Spaniard Yeremy Pino sign from Villareal who will take the number ten shirt. He will be available for the game on Sunday.
Having had a very busy start to the season, this will be the final game before the first international break of the campaign. Not that will give our players much rest as the majority of them will be jetting off around the world to feature for their countries.
The game in Norway was tough, and it was clear that the Palace players struggled once again to break down the stubborn hosts as well as finding it difficult to acclimatise to the artificial surface, but they got the job done even if they did look a little leggy.
If anything, those signs really does support Glasner and his hope for more additions to the squad as he simply has not been able to trust the bench as much as he would like.
Palace travel to Birmingham with the hope that Marc Guehi will still be a Palace player, while Will Hughes will remain a doubt after missing the Conference League trip. Odsonne Edouard could be fit enough to return to the bench, while new signing Pino could feature.
The Eagles had plenty of joy against Villa last season, in the league, and both cup competitions, and they will not have forgotten that. Palace are on a very good unbeaten run at the moment which they will hope to extend, but have yet to find a win in the league after drawing the opening two games.
🟣 Aston Villa: Searching for Spark
Unai Emery’s side is still looking for their first Premier League goal this season, having drawn 0-0 with Newcastle and lost 1-0 to Brentford. Despite this, Villa remain formidable at home, unbeaten in their last 21 matches at Villa Park across all competitions.
Key points:
- Ollie Watkins remains the focal point in attack.
- Marco Bizot is expected to debut in goal due to Emiliano Martínez’s suspension.
- Morgan Rogers is out injured, while former Palace target Evann Guessand could be handed a chance to add pace up front.
- Emery will likely stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on John McGinn and Youri Tielemans to control midfield.
🔵 Crystal Palace: Transition & Threats
Oliver Glasner’s Palace are adapting to life without Eberechi Eze, who joined Arsenal. The club has unveiled Yeremy Pino and rumoured to be chasing the signature of Harvey Elliott to fill the creative void.
Recent form:
- Draws against Chelsea (0-0) and Nottingham Forest (1-1).
- Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta are key attacking threats. Sarr, notably, has 7 goals and 3 assists in 7 games vs Villa, never losing to them.
- Injuries to Cheick Doucouré, and Eddie Nketiah contintue to limit Glasner’s rotation options.
- Palace are expected to use a 3-4-2-1 setup, focusing on counter-attacks.
🔍 Tactical Outlook
- Villa will dominate possession and look to break down Palace’s compact shape.
- Palace will rely on pace and physicality to hit on the counter.
- The duel between Marc Guehi and Ollie Watkins could be decisive.
🔮 Predictions
- TEB: Aston Villa 1–1 Crystal Palace
- Paul Merson: A 1–1 draw, citing Villa’s lack of goals and Palace’s resilience
