Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa: FA Cup Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa battle it out for the chance to play under the arch again next month in a massive FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday. It's a clash between the Eagles and the Lions, which is like an animal kingdom mismatch.

The champion will face either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest on their path to glory; Palace has not yet achieved this in the illustrious tournament, and the Villans are aiming to reach final number 12.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Manchester United have twice denied Crystal Palace FA Cup glory, winning finals in 1990 and 2016.

This season, Palace has impressed with wins over Stockport, Doncaster, and Millwall and a 3-0 victory against Fulham. They hope to make it a third lucky.

Though Glasner's side arrived on a four-game losing run, they showed resilience in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal and a battling point against Bournemouth with ten men. They've scored multiple goals in eight of their last ten away games.

Unai Emery, a four-time Europa League winner, is chasing his first English trophy after leading Villa to their first FA Cup semi-final in a decade, having beaten Preston, Spurs, West Ham, and Cardiff.

Villa, without a cup win since 1957, suffered a heavy defeat to Arsenal in the 2015 final. After a 4-0 win over Newcastle, they lost 2-1 to Man City midweek, falling two points off the top four.

Palace, on a 17-game unbeaten run across competitions, has already beaten Villa twice this season and will aim to make it three, while Emery's men seek revenge in a tense Wembley clash.

Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa Team News

Crystal Palace welcomed back Chris Richards after suspension, with only Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure sidelined. Richards, a defensive mainstay, should slot straight back in, potentially replacing Jefferson Lerma if Glasner sticks with Will Hughes and Adam Wharton in midfield. Mateta, Ismaila Sarr, and Eberechi Eze are also expected to return to the attack.

For Aston Villa, only Axel Disasi is absent, though his omission won't disrupt Emery's plans. After scoring against Newcastle to tie Villa's all-time Premier League goal record, Ollie Watkins should lead the line at Wembley, with John McGinn — one of three 2019 playoff final survivors alongside Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause — also set to start.

Our Predictions

Aston Villa to win @ 2.20 on Sky247.ng

Although Emery's men may normally have the upper hand on paper, Saturday's semi-final becomes even more interesting when considering that Aston Villa have lost all four of their previous meetings with Crystal Palace while allowing a total of thirteen goals.

In the end, however, we also think the Lions will win this match on the pitch. From a day off, with a completely fit team and an energized Watkins who flourishes from being left out of the starting XI, Emery should lead Palace to another final as they continue their agonizing quest for their first FA Cup triumph.

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