It has been a long haul to this point with a multitude of fixtures to get through and while the current run is disappointing for all concerned, returning to one game a week will naturally provide some much needed time for several reasons.
Until then, the Eagles have to take on an in form Villa side who are playing themselves into title contention this season.
The head to head form really does favour Palace but they must do without Villa’s nemesis, Ismaila Sarr who always seems to net against the side from Birmingham.
That is of course not to mention the injuries that the hosts are struggling to contend with at the moment which has a lot to do with the poor run of form.
It is starting to sound like a bit of a stuck record, but there is some good news on the horizon with Chris Richards returning to training and will make the bench.
You get one back though, and you lose two more with Nathaniel Clyne missing the visit of Villa as well as Jefferson Lerma due to concussion protocols. This means that it is slim pickings for Oliver Glasner but more opportunity for youth to make an impact.
The match against Villa signals the end of a busy fixture schedule ahead of the trip to Macclesfield on Saturday in the first game in the defence of the FA Cup. The Eagles will not be in action again until the trip to Sunderland on the 17th, and three consecutive Sunday games that follow.
Along the way we can expect to start seeing the injured players return, and they are much needed too as while the January transfer window is currently open, that does not mean that we will just see new additions with plenty of rumours about Marc Guehi (to Manchester City) and Oliver Glasner now that the Manchester United job has once again become available.
There was a positive at the weekend with Brennan Johnson being thrown into the starting line up against Newcastle without hardly having time to train with his new teammates. He showed glimpses to suggest that he will have an impact on this Palace side and we look forward to seeing what he can offer as he is expected to make his home debut against Villa.
Here’s hoping for some kind of performance even with the growing list of absentees against high flying Villa to get some of that confidence back that has ebbed away of late.
🏟️ Context & Form
- Crystal Palace sit 14th with 27 points and have not won in 7 matches across all competitions, earning just a point from the first 2 fixtures of 2026 after defeat at Newcastle.
- Aston Villa, third with 42 points, are in strong form racking up 11 consecutive wins halted only by Arsenal and most recently beating Nottingham Forest.
🔄 Head-to-Head
- Palace are unbeaten in their last 6 Premier League meetings (D1, W5).
- Historically, out of 58 encounters, Villa lead narrowly: 23 wins to Palace’s 19; 16 draws.
🩺 Team News & Lineups
Crystal Palace
Injuries/doubtful: Sarr (AFCON), Kamada, Munoz, Lerma, Richards, Clyne, Doucouré, Riad, Kporha, Cardines, Nketiah.
Notable changes: Clyne left the Newcastle game early; Canvot may partner Guehi and Lacroix in central defence.
Prossible XI:
Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Sosa, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Johnson, Pino; Mateta.
Aston Villa
Injuries/doubtful: Onana, Mings, Barkley, Torres, Guessand (AFCON), Elliott.
Key players fit: Kamara and Tielemans shone against Forest; Watkins has found form with recent goals.
Possible XI:
Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelöf, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins.
📊 Tactical Overview
- Palace struggle at home: winless in 6 games, conceding in 7 straight, and scoring just 0.6 goals per game recently.
- Villa are scoring regularly and have only 1 draw in their last 11 away matches, although they too have been leaking goals.
📺 Broadcast Info
- In the UK: coverage on Sky Sports Football.
- In the US: live on Peacock/NBC Sports.
📏 Prediction & Betting Insight
- Most sources forecast a Villa win, with common scores 2‑1 or 3‑1. Villa are in better form, but Palace’s strong head‑to‑head suggests a competitive match.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🏠 Palace are desperate for a morale-boosting home win but remain injury-riddled and out of form.
- 🚀 Villa bring confidence, goal threat, and European qualification ambitions.
- The head-to-head favours Palace, but Villa’s current form may prove decisive.
👨⚖️ Officials
- Referee: Andy Madley
- Assistants: Dan Cook, Mark Scholes
- Fourth official: Leigh Doughty
- VAR: Michael Oliver
- Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh
