Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News, Predicted Line-ups & Key Talking Points at Selhurst Park

Premier League: 19:30 Kick-off at Selhurst Park

Unai Emery’s high-flying Villans take the trip down to London, where they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Wednesday night. But, all eyes are on Oliver Glasner this month, as the recent departure of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United has pointed eyes towards the Palace boss, with a potential exit being speculated. And with major question marks behind Glasner’s relationship with the Eagles’ owners, this could potentially be the Austrian’s last game in charge.

The Eagles are currently sitting 14th, after a three-game winning run was followed by a seven-game winless streak in all competitions, as Glasner’s side go on their longest run without a win since 2023.

Crystal Palace suffered a 2-0 loss at St. James’ Park last time out, and dropped points to Fulham the game before, starting 2026 with just a single point. The Eagles return to Selhurst Park, though, looking to turn their ground back into the fortress it once was. With no wins in five at home, and only two top-flight wins at Selhurst all season, Glasner will be hoping to change that tomorrow night. And with an encouraging record against the Villans, with Palace winning five of the last six against tomorrow’s opponents, there are still hopes of an upset for Eagles fans.

As for Villa, despite their famous 11-game winning frenzy coming to an end last week, they won last time out against Nottingham Forest in a 3-1 home victory, making it 12 wins in their last 13 in all competitions. However, Emery will be looking to shore up his defence, as his side haven’t kept a clean sheet in eight matches. But with Palace only scoring two in the last five Premier League games, the Spaniard won’t be too concerned.

Especially if English duo Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers keep up their splendid form, as the pair look to cement places in Thomas Tuchel’s England team. With four goals in the last three games for Watkins, and seven goals from Rogers this season, goals will surely be scored by Villa tonight.

TEAM NEWS

Crystal Palace added another name to their injury list last on the weekend, with experienced defender Nathaniel Clyne forced off at St. James’ Park with a groin issue. 

He is ruled out for this game, along with Jefferson Lerma, who also came off in Newcastle due to a concussion, and will only be back for the Sunderland game. Daniel Munoz and Dachi Kamada remain absent for tomorrow’s game also, with Ismaila Sarr at the African Cup of Nations.

However, good news for the Eagles, as centre-back Chris Richards looks set to return to the Palace squad after a spell on the sidelines, as Glasner reported he will make the bench on Wednesday.

For Emery’s side, Amadou Onana will be kept out again due to a hamstring injury, as well as centre-back pairing Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, who both don’t look likely to play either, leaving Lindelof and Konsa as the back two again.

Ross Barkley, Harvey Elliott and Evann Guessand all won’t play either.

SUMMARY

With Crystal Palace’s remarkable record in recent times against the Villans, you cannot underestimate Glasner’s side. In the last three meetings, the Eagles have won by a margin of three goals against Unai Emery, with three wins out of three for the Austrian coach against him in 2025.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will also be looked to by Palace fans, with his record against Villa standing out impressively against Emery’s side, with eight goal involvements in five games against them.

But form does matter. And with Aston Villa currently in third, and in contention for a title, they go into this one as favourites. Crystal Palace and Glasner will hope to put speculation and this poor run behind them and kick on in 2026, as they look for their first win this year.