Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa FC, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa FC Match Prediction & Analysis

If any of the games across this weekend have an ‘end of season’ look about them, it’s this one.

With both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa comfortably wedged in the mid table area of the Premier League, it’s safe to say that there is little more at stake than pride.

Palace’s form has been disappointing ever since it became obvious that they weren’t going to be relegated this season, winning just one of their last six league fixtures. They beat Sheffield United impressively, but apart from that haven’t had too much to shout about in recent weeks.

Aston Villa will have been boosted by the return of captain and best player Jack Grealish from injury in their last game, a 0-0 draw against Everton. Grealish came off the bench to get his first minutes since suffering from a shin injury 12 games ago.

Can he inspire them to victory here?

TEAMS PREVIEW

Crystal Palace Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LLLWL

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Performances have been better than results have suggested recently 

     Benteke has shown good form up front 

Reasons to be fearful:

     Just three wins from last 13 games

     How motivated will his squad be coming to the end of the season?

Crystal Palace are not only coming towards the end of the season, but also perhaps the end of an era at their football club.

Rumours are that Roy Hodgson will leave the club as manager at the end of the season, and a number of players’ contracts also run out this summer, proving that there could be plenty of comings and goings once the final matches have been played.

Once again they have secured what would seem to be a midtable finish, although will want to make sure of that with a win from their final three games.

Their form has been poor lately, despite Christian Benteke’s recent performances in front of goal, and it’ll be interesting to see how motivated they are against Villa.

Star Man – Christian Benteke

Has five goals in his last eight appearances for the Eagles, Benteke is currently leading the line well for Palace.

Aston Villa FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LDWLD

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Grealish should be fit enough to start here

     Ollie Watkins will return to the side after suspension

Reasons to be fearful:

     Have recorded just two wins since the end of February

     Cash and Mings could miss out at the back through injury

Villa will be pleased to welcome back Jack Grealish into the starting lineup, presuming that he is fit enough to do so, but it is unrealistic to expect him to fire on all cylinders straight away. 

Having missed 12 games with a shin injury, during which time Villa won just three, it will take him time to get back up to speed. It should give his teammates confidence, of course, with others badly lacking quality in his absence.

They have picked up enough points to stay competitive in their race for a top half finish, with five points collected from their past five games, but will need to do better to move ahead of 10th place Leeds.

Can they show this motivation against Palace?

Star Man – Ollie Watkins

Grealish may be back, but the pressure to score goals will be on top scorer Watkins, who assisted against Palace earlier in the season.