Match Overview

Crystal Palace host Aston Villa at Selhurst Park with both sides aiming to set the tone for the second half of the Premier League campaign. Palace have struggled for goals lately but remain difficult to face at home. Villa arrive in confident mood after a strong run on their travels and sit in the upper reaches of the table. With both squads reporting no absences, key forwards on each side could decide a tight contest.

• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Selhurst Park
• Date: 07-01-2026
• Kickoff: 19:30 GMT / 19:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Crystal Palace

• D. Henderson (Goalkeeper)
• M. Lacroix (Defender)
• T. Mitchell (Defender)
• M. Guéhi (Defender)
• N. Clyne (Defender)
• A. Wharton (Midfielder)
• J. Lerma (Midfielder)
• J. Devenny (Midfielder)
• C. Uche (Midfielder)
• J. Mateta (Attacker)
• Yeremy Pino (Attacker)

Aston Villa

• E. Martínez (Goalkeeper)
• E. Konsa (Defender)
• L. Digne (Defender)
• M. Cash (Defender)
• L. Bogarde (Defender)
• M. Rogers (Midfielder)
• J. McGinn (Midfielder)
• E. Buendía (Midfielder)
• Y. Tielemans (Midfielder)
• O. Watkins (Attacker)
• D. Malen (Attacker)

Injury & Suspension Report

Crystal Palace

None.

Aston Villa

None.

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings have produced an open feel, averaging 3.5 goals across the last ten clashes. Over a longer run of 42 encounters, Crystal Palace edge the series with 17 wins and 10 draws to Aston Villa’s 15 victories. The balance points to a closely contested fixture where momentum can shift quickly.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Crystal Palace come in with attacking issues to solve, having scored four times in their last five matches. The goalless draw with Fulham underlined the need for quicker combinations and more incisive final-third play. With no injury concerns, Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the line after an eight-goal campaign to date, including six strikes across 14 home appearances. Service from Yeremy Pino and the midfield trio of A. Wharton, J. Lerma and J. Devenny will be key to increasing tempo and chance quality.

Aston Villa’s away form is a clear positive: four wins in their last five on the road with 12 goals scored and no draws in that span. They sit third after 19 games on 39 points, showing consistency. Against similarly ranked opponents, results have been mixed, with three wins and two defeats and a near one-for-one scoring-conceding profile. Even so, their ability to start fast and create regular openings travels well.

Palace and Villa in a tactical showdown under the evening lights

The forward duel is central. Mateta’s penalty-box presence remains Palace’s primary threat, while Ollie Watkins enters on a run of one goal in each of his last three games. For Villa, creativity through E. Buendía and control from Y. Tielemans and J. McGinn can tilt midfield territory, supported by the defensive platform of E. Konsa, L. Digne, M. Cash and L. Bogarde. Palace’s back line of M. Guéhi, T. Mitchell, N. Clyne and M. Lacroix will need to stay compact against direct runs and quick combinations.

Past meetings suggest goals, and Palace’s 3-0 win in August offers a reference point; however, Villa’s current away momentum changes the risk profile. If Palace can reintroduce faster transitions and provide earlier service into Mateta, they can disrupt Villa’s rhythm. Conversely, Villa’s recent cutting edge on the road and Watkins’ form give them a slight edge in critical moments.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa.