Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa - prediction, team news, lineups

Crystal Palace play host to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their excellent draw at Liverpool earlier this week.

While Palace currently sit in 16th position in the Premier League table, Villa have moved up to ninth spot courtesy of their victory over Everton.

Match preview

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When Palace were presented with an opening double-header of Arsenal and Liverpool, Patrick Vieira would have naturally had concerns about his side beginning the campaign with successive defeats.

However, the Eagles came away from Anfield with a sense of frustration that they had not collected three points, a consequence of being ahead when Darwin Nunez was sent off for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen.

Nevertheless, a share of the spoils will eventually be regarded as a bonus point, Palace ending a run of 10 defeats in a row against the Merseyside giants.

The level of their performance will have only encouraged Vieira ahead of this contest, although Palace need to show more of a ruthless streak in the final third.

As well as Wilfried Zaha took his goal against Liverpool, chances have been squandered in both fixtures this season, and Villa will hope that it continues at Selhurst Park.

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The long-term injury sustained by Diego Carlos has dampened the mood at Villa Park this season, the big-money arrival expected to be sidelined until the spring with a ruptured Achilles.

A replacement is expected to be signed in due course, but Steven Gerrard's current priority will be trying to build on the 2-1 success against Everton.

The West Midlands outfit came through some nervy moments at the end of each half before prevailing through goals from Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia.

Tyrone Mings performed well enough on his return to the middle of the backline, effectively saving his Villa career at a time when he may have been considered for a departure.

Although Villa have only recorded two wins over Palace in their last six encounters, both of those victories came at Selhurst Park.

Team News

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Despite Zaha excelling down the middle against Liverpool, Vieira may decide to move the long-serving attacker back to his usual role on the left flank.

That would allow either Odsonne Edouard or Jean-Philippe Mateta to come into the team, while Michael Olise is also pushing for an opportunity in the final third.

Joel Ward could drop out of the team after featuring in a back five at Anfield.

Gerrard will call upon either Calum Chambers or Ezri Konsa to take the place of Diego Carlos in the middle of the defence.

Buendia is in line to replace Philippe Coutinho, but the central-midfield occupants should remain the same with Douglas Luiz staying among the replacements.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Guaita; Clyne, Anderson, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Eze, Zaha; Edouard

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Ramsey; Buendia, Ings, Watkins

We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa

Both sides head into this fixture full of confidence after their respective performances last time out. However, we feel that these are two evenly-matched sides, and a low-scoring draw in a competitive fixture feels like the most likely outcome.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.