Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
With a spot in the final of this year’s FA Cup hanging in the balance on Saturday evening, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will meet at Wembley.
Crystal Palace
Starting with Crystal Palace, while Arsenal might have snatched a 2-2 stalemate away at Arsenal on Wednesday night, it is fair to say that Oliver Glasner’s camp are seeking some recent stability. Despite booking their ticket to Wembley last month thanks to a sensational 3-0 romp away at Fulham, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has seen his squad muster just a single Premier League victory from their previous six appearances. Suffering consecutive 5-0 and 5-2 defeats against Newcastle and Manchester City earlier in the month, Palace have shown some recent defensive issues. Shipping 12 goals in their last four Premier League showdowns, Glasner’s side should be bracing themselves for a stern examination when they travel to Wembley this weekend.
Crystal Palace Team News
While USA international Chris Richards might have served a one-match suspension away at Arsenal on Wednesday night, the one-time Bayern Munich youngster will return to Crystal Palace’s squad here. However, not making a single appearance since the middle of January, Cheick Doucoure remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury.
Coming off the bench and finding the net in north London, attacking talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta will make a full return and spearhead Palace’s charge. Recording a trio of Premier League strikes since returning from March’s international break, Eberechi Eze will play a leading role.
Aston Villa
As for Aston Villa, suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at soon-to-be former champions Manchester City in midweek as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss at the Etihad, Unai Emery’s men don’t have any time to feel sorry for themselves. Watching their famous Champions League adventure come to a dramatic end on April 15th as they were hit with a 5-4 aggregate defeat against French giants PSG, the former Arsenal boss should also be concerned by what is a worrying record against their fellow semi-finalists. Slumping to a shock 4-1 drumming when they travelled to Selhurst Park for a Premier League showdown on February 25th, Villa have failed to win any of their last four meetings across all competitions and suffered three defeats.
Aston Villa Team News
Heading into Saturday’s trip to Wembley, Aston Villa have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns. Settling for a spot on the bench away at Manchester City in midweek, Scotland international John McGinn should be handed a full recall and lead out Emery’s side.
Making his frustrations at a lack of minutes clear, Ollie Watkins could be forced to settle for a spot on the bench once again. Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike at the Etihad on Tuesday night, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford should keep his spot leading the line.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
When Crystal Palace and Aston Villa last met on February 25th, the Eagles stormed their way to a 4-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
Palace are unbeaten in their previous four meetings against Villa across all competitions (three wins, one draw).
The Eagles have conceded 12 goals in their previous four Premier League appearances.
Aston Villa have recorded just a single clean sheet from their last six matchups across all competitions.
All of the last five meetings between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Aston Villa might open Saturday’s trip to Wembley pencilled in as a standout contender with the bookmakers, Emery’s men will be concerned by a nightmare recent record against their fellow semi-finalists. Slumping to a shock 4-1 drumming when they travelled to Selhurst Park for a Premier League showdown on February 25th, they have lost three of their previous four meetings across all fronts. It should also be noted, with four of the last five meetings between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in north London.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
