A fascinating Premier League encounter is set for Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace hosts a high-flying Aston Villa. This match presents a classic football narrative: one team is in blistering form, while the other desperately needs a win. Aston Villa arrives in South London as serious title contenders, riding a wave of victories. Conversely, Crystal Palace is looking to break a challenging winless spell. Despite their current form, the Eagles have recently enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, setting the stage for a truly unpredictable and compelling battle.

A Rivalry Decades in the Making

The history between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa stretches back over a century, with their first meeting in 1913. Across all competitions, the two clubs have faced each other 58 times. Aston Villa holds a narrow lead in the all-time record with 23 wins to Palace’s 19, while 16 matches have ended in a draw. This long-standing rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity whenever they meet.

The Premier League Era

In the modern Premier League, the story is slightly different. The teams have clashed 27 times, and it is Crystal Palace who comes out on top. The Eagles have secured 11 victories compared to Villa’s nine, with seven games drawn. This Premier League record suggests that Palace often finds a way to get results against Villa, regardless of league position.

Contrasting Fortunes: Form vs. History

While history provides context, the current form paints a vivid picture of two clubs on opposite paths. Aston Villa is undeniably one of the league’s most in-form teams, having won nine of its last 10 games. This incredible run has firmly established them as title contenders. On the other hand, Crystal Palace is navigating a difficult period. The Eagles are winless in their last seven matches across all competitions and have not secured a victory at Selhurst Park since early November.

However, recent head-to-head results completely flip this narrative. In 2025, Palace achieved a remarkable three consecutive victories against Villa, all by a three-goal margin. This run included a memorable 3-0 win in the FA Cup semi-final. These encounters have typically been high-scoring, averaging 2.69 goals per game over the last 21 meetings.

Last Five Meetings:

• August 31, 2025: Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
• April 26, 2025: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa (FA Cup semi-finals)
• February 25, 2025: Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
• November 23, 2024: Aston Villa 2-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
• October 30, 2024: Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Squad Updates Ahead of Kick-Off

Both managers face key selection decisions due to injuries and player availability. The team sheets will certainly play a crucial role in the outcome of this match.

Crystal Palace Team News

The Eagles will be without midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who is following concussion protocols. In addition, Nathaniel Clyne is sidelined with a minor abductor injury. There is some good news, as Chris Richards is expected to be in the matchday squad, though he is not yet fit enough to start. All eyes will be on the potential Selhurst Park debut for new club-record signing Brennan Johnson, should he be selected.

Aston Villa Team News

Villa’s defense has some question marks. Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are both close to returning from injury, but their availability for Wednesday’s match remains uncertain. The midfield is also impacted, with Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley still out. Furthermore, striker Evann Guessand is away on international duty. Villa will look to their star striker, Ollie Watkins, to lead the line. Watkins is in sensational form, having scored four goals in his last three games.

Conclusion: An Unmissable Clash

This match is perfectly poised. Will Aston Villa’s unstoppable momentum continue their charge at the top of the table? Or will Crystal Palace’s recent dominance in this specific fixture prove to be the key, providing a much-needed victory in front of their home fans? It’s a classic battle of relentless form against a stubborn historical record. One thing is for certain: the Wednesday evening clash at Selhurst Park, kicking off at 19:30 GMT, promises to be a thrilling spectacle for football fans everywhere.