Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa FC Match Prediction & Analysis

You feel that Crystal Palace and Aston Villa may be competing for similar positions in the Premier League table this season, as both look to achieve a top-half finish.

Villa have continued to spend money in the transfer market, and manager Steven Gerrard will know that more is expected of him this season, having finished in 14th place last time around.

They earned their first win of the campaign last time out, edging out struggling Everton in a close contest that finished 2-1.

Palace are also attempting to improve this time around. Having finished 12th last season, they will feel better placed to push on into the top half.

A well-earned draw against Liverpool showed their quality and fighting spirit. They will need to produce that more consistently this season.

This will be a well-fought contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Crystal Palace Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Liverpool draw will have motivated the players

     Have already played two tough teams in Arsenal and Liverpool

Reasons to be fearful:

     Only one win from last five against Villa

     Will be desperate to pick up their first win of the season

Crystal Palace have been unlucky to face both Arsenal and Liverpool in their first two games of the season.

It’s a nightmare start for any team, but Palace will feel confident of pressing on now that those two fixtures are out of the way and they have a point on the board. Upcoming fixtures against Villa, Brentford and Newcastle are somewhat kinder.

Still, they will need to improve their form against Villa, having picked up just four points from their last five league meetings. 

You still wonder if Palace can play as well as they did against Liverpool consistently throughout the season, or if that was just a blip. They certainly have the players to do so.

They will be eager to pick up their first win of the season here, especially at home. The longer it goes without one, the more nervous the players will be.

Star Man – Wilf Zaha

Opened the scoring against Liverpool and played well throughout. He’ll have a tough game up against Villa fullback Matty Cash, but has the pace and trickery to cause problems.

Aston Villa FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     First win of the season will give them confidence

     Ings and Watkins are linking up well together

Reasons to be fearful

     Look like a team searching for consistency

     Defensive issues require sorting

Under Gerrard, you’re never quite sure what to expect from Villa on a weekly basis. 

Occasionally, they’re brilliant, and have pulled off excellent results against the likes of Manchester United. On the other hand, they can be poor and lack cohesion within the team.

The problem with Tyrone Mings now seems to be sorted, with the centre back returning to the side after seemingly falling out with his manager.

It paid off, with Villa claiming their first win of the season. If they are to push into the top half of the league, they’ll need to play with more consistency than they showed in the last campaign.

At least Watkins and Ings are now showing signs of a partnership upfront. The pair combined for the first goal in the win over Everton.

Star Man – Danny Ings

Ings can still be a deadly goalscorer if he has quality players in and around him. He’s not the best striker in the league, but he can go on a run for Villa if he hits form.