Crystal Palace lineup vs. Aston Villa: Predicted XI for FA Cup semi-final as Glasner receives defensive boost

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner will welcome Chris Richards back to the fold with open arms for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Aston Villa at Wembley.

The American defender sat out the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in midweek owing to a Premier League suspension, having been controversially dismissed in the goalless affair with Bournemouth last weekend.

However, Richards has now served his punishment, leaving Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) as the Eagles' only two absentees, as Ben Chilwell is back from illness.

Defensive mainstay Richards can expect to return to the back three alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix, after Jefferson Lerma acted as an emergency centre-half during the scrap with Arsenal.

Lerma may now have to give up his place entirely, though, as Adam Wharton is a shoo-in in the middle of the park, and the impactful Will Hughes - who was only a substitute at the Emirates - may be preferred alongside him.

Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell are guarantees in the wide areas, as is Eberechi Eze in the attacking trident after his excellent volley in Wednesday's derby draw with the Gunners.

Justin Devenny and Eddie Nketiah were chosen to link up with Eze up front in midweek, but neither man will expect to hold their spots over Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta at the home of English football.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta

> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for the semi-final