With Alan Pardew in talks with Crystal Palace, this may be the last match that caretaker manager Keith Millen will take charge of. Palace have won none of their last six games, but earned a good point away at QPR last weekend which could prove vital in the relegation battle.
When Villa recently visited Selhurst Park they defeated Palace 1-0 with a brilliant solo effort from striker Christian Benteke, however Millen told the media that they were positives to take from that game despite the defeat:
"We will continue to get on with our job and prepare for Aston Villa. The reaction we got at QPR was exactly what I was after.
"I enjoy working with this group of players. You could see that the lads pulled together and worked really hard for each other. The players see (the speculation) and have their usual banter. They have coped unbelievably well.
"They are a really resilient group and we will be ready for the Villa game - whoever is in charge. We played well against Villa earlier this season and we'll take confidence from that and will go there looking for a result."
Whereas, Villa have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games. This recent form has seen them rise up to 13th in the table, one place behind Everton on goal difference.
Manager Paul Lambert told the media, "Whether Keith gets it or someone else comes in and takes it, remains to be seen, but they're the same group of lads that we played against a few weeks ago
"We know it'll be a hard game but we're playing well and passing the ball really well.
"All we need to do is finish our good play off and let's see what happens. [The point against Sunderland] was a good point, it was a tough game, but we're at home. We just have to open teams up and try get that goal.
"It'll be a hard game, whether a new manager comes in or it's Keith."
Date: Thursday 1st January 2015
Time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Villa Park
Referee: Robert Madley
Team News
Aston Villa: Fabian Delph (suspension) is out, whilst Tom Cleverley and Ciaran Clark are doubts. Gabby Agbonlahor, Keiran Richardson and Joe Cole are all available again for this match.
Crystal Palace: Captain Mile Jedinak is unavailable due to joining up with the Australia squad for the Asia Cup. Marouane Chamakh remains a doubt with a thigh injury.