Prediction: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Aston Villa win 

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Marking their return from November’s international break on Saturday afternoon, Aston Villa will welcome Crystal Palace to the Midlands.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have continued on a sensational rise following Unai Emery’s arrival two years ago, the Villains do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Heading into November’s international break with a 2-0 loss away at Liverpool, the one-time Arsenal boss has seen his squad lose each of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end on October 30th as they suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Saturday’s guests, Villa know the importance of claiming a much-welcomed boost this weekend. With their recent issues underlined by a 4-1 drumming away at Tottenham earlier in the month, Emery’s side have gained a reputation for their defensive struggles. It should be highlighted, Villa have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their last seven straight outings.

Team News

Dealing with a calf injury prior to November’s international break, Aston Villa are once again sweating over the fitness of Poland international Matty Cash. Finding the net for England over in Athens last weekend, Ollie Watkins will spearhead Emery’s charge in the final third.

While the red-hot Jhon Duran might have notched eight goals across all competitions so far this season, the 20-year-old will have to settle for a spot on the bench. Bagging back-to-back Nations League strikes over the past week, John McGinn will be hoping for a full recall.

Crystal Palace

As for the visitors, although Crystal Palace might have sprung a real EFL Cup upset at Villa Park on October 30th as they snatched that 2-1 victory, the Eagles find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Heading into November’s international break with a 2-0 loss at home against Fulham, the pressure on Oliver Glasner’s shoulders continues to mount. Putting just a single Premier League victory on the board from any of their first 11 top flight appearances, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss appears to have a real job on his hands at Selhurst Park. Marking their return this weekend battling it out in the relegation zone, Palace are also seeking their own defensive steel. Along with failing to muster a single clean sheet on their travels so far this season, Glasner’s squad have also failed to come away from an away fixture unscathed since the middle of April.

Team News

Shown a second half red card against Fulham prior to November’s international break, former Lazio star and summer recruit Daichi Kamada will miss out through suspension here. While Crystal Palace might remain hopeful that attacking talisman Eberechi Eze will be able to make a quick return, the England international will face a late fitness test.

Still waiting to open his account after making a permanent move from Arsenal over the summer, Eddie Nketiah should return from a minor knock. Serving a one-match ban against Fulham last time out, former Watford midfielder Will Hughes is free to make a full return.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Aston Villa and Crystal Palace met for an EFL Cup showdown on October 30th, the Eagles collected a shock 2-1 victory in the Midlands.
• However, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a sole win from any of their first 11 Premier League appearances.
• Aston Villa have lost each of their last four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-2.
• Crystal Palace have failed to record a single clean sheet away from Selhurst Park since the middle of April.
• Six of the last eight meetings between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Heading into November’s international break in the midst of a real struggle, Aston Villa are seeking a much-welcomed boost here. However, despite falling to a 2-1 loss when they welcomed Crystal Palace to the Midlands for an EFL Cup tie on October 30th, they should be smelling a potential opportunity to gain some immediate revenge. Desperate to make up some ground in the Champions League chase, Emery’s men will be confident of overcoming a Palace squad that have notched just a single victory from any of their first 11 top flight appearances.

Verdict: Aston Villa win 

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster