Aston Villa prepare to host Crystal Palace with both sides looking to revitalise their season with a victory.
The home side come into this game in the middle of a poor patch of form. They are without a win in the last five in all competitions.
Before the international break, they lost 2-0 at Anfield to top-of-the-table Liverpool. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah were on the scoresheet that day for Arne Slot’s Reds.
Palace also come into this game on the back of a defeat. They lost 2-0 to Fulham at Selhurst Park with the injury stricken Eagles flattered by the scoreline.
Crystal Palace have already won once at Villa Park this season. They secured their first win at this stadium in 11 years when they won 2-1 in the EFL Cup Round of 16 last month after goals from Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada, but neither will be available for the tie on Saturday.
Last season in the Premier League, both teams won once. Villa won 3-1 at their home stadium and Palace won 5-0 at Selhurst Park.
Unai Emery’s side sit 9th in the table on 18 points. However, they are only one point away from Chelsea who are 3rd on 19 points. If other results go their way, they could find themselves back in European positions at the end of the weekend.
Oliver Glasner’s side are currently 18th in the league and victory could see Palace escape the drop zone.
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Team News
Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa will miss out as he picked up a hip injury against Greece during the international break. Amadou Onana will also be unavailable after a foot injury sustained on the aforementioned international break when representing Belgium.
Midfielder Jacob Ramsey will be unavailable after being substituted off with injury shortly before half-time during Villa's encounter at Anfield.
Boubacar Kamara is also unlikely to feature, as the midfielder continues his recovery.
Emery will be able to welcome the return of Matty Cash and Ross Barkley. Both have overcome injury problems during the break.
Crystal Palace
Glasner’s Palace are boosted ahead of Saturday’s game with some players returning to the squad. However, they still have many players out on the sidelines.
Will Hughes will return to the squad having missed out against Fulham as he was suspended for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-2 draw against Wolves. Chris Richards is also available after returning to the matchday squad against Fulham, and was an unused substitute.
Cheick Doucoure has been a used substitute in the last two games against Wolves and Fulham. However, the manager said he would be fit enough to start against Villa. During the international break, Doucoure played an hour in a friendly for the under-21s.
Palace also welcome back Jefferson Lerma who is available to play against Aston Villa having been out with injury since the win against Tottenham last month.
Chadi Riad is still out injured with an MCL injury but Glasner is optimistic the summer signing will return to training next week.
England international Adam Wharton is still continuing his recovery from groin surgery, and is likely to return within the coming weeks.
In light Palace are short of options after Daichi Kamada received a straight red card against Fulham for a reckless challenge on defender Kenny Tete. Ebere Eze will also miss out due to the injury incurred in the EFL Cup game against the Villans. Eze has trained during the week however, Glasner announced the match on Saturday had come too soon.
Matheus Franca is also still continuing his rehab and is not expected to feature again in 2024 following a groin injury.
Eddie Nketiah missed out against Fulham before the international break and has not yet recovered.
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Likely Line-ups
Aston Villa
Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Barkley, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers; Watkins
Crystal Palace
Henderson; Clyne, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Hughes; Munoz, Sarr; Mateta
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Key Players
Aston Villa – Morgan Rogers
The 22-year-old is in fine form. He comes into this game having made his senior England debut during the international break.
The attacking midfielder has scored three times and registered two assists in his 11 Premier League games.
Rogers has exceptional strength as he excels in carrying the ball forward into the final third with an impressive skill set.
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
The F renchman is Palace’s top scorer in the Premier League this season. He has scored three of their eight goals.
Last season he scored the Eagles’ first Premier League hattrick at Selhurst Park against Aston Villa on the final day of the season leaving the Villa backline struggling.
Palace have struggled going forward this season. However, his improved hold-up play was a key reason why the team did so well in attack at the back end of last season.
The South London side will need him to be at the top of his game to help them move up the table.
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Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The game will be played at Aston Villa’s stadium Villa Park.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Saturday 23rd November 2024.
How can I watch?
The match has not been selected to be televised on Sky Sports or TNT Sports, but live updates will be available on the Sky Sports website and the Premier League app.
Highlights of the match, alongside key analysis, will be available to view on BBC One at 22:30 GMT on Match of the Day.
