Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will lock horns at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon (15:00), as Premier League action resumes following the international break.

Aston Villa have experienced a mixed start to the new season, winning two and losing two of their opening four Premier League fixtures, although they enjoyed an 8-0 aggregate thumping of Hibernian in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Meanwhile, after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their opening fixture, Palace have been unbeaten in their last three matches, winning the last two.

Team News

Aston Villa will be without Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey and Tim Iroegbunam due to injuries, while Philippe Coutinho has joined Qatari outfit Al-Duhail on loan.

As for Crystal Palace, Michael Olise and summer signing Matheus Franca remain out with respective hamstring and back injuries, while Marc Guehi has emerged as a doubt after being withdrawn at half time in England’s win over Scotland during the international break.

Aston Villa to win and over 2.5 goals @ 15/8

The Villans have certainly found their shooting boots lately – Unai Emery’s side have scored at least three goals in four of their last five matches, and Palace have only failed to score once in their last five outings.

In addition, Villa have won their last eight Premier League home matches and claimed a 4-0 victory over Everton in their previous fixture in front of their own fans.

Crystal Palace have seen 11 goals scored across their last two games, while over 2.5 goals has landed in four of the last six meetings between these sides.

I’m expecting goals at Villa Park, and I think Villa’s quality going forward will be enough to take the three points.

Matty Cash to score anytime @ 18/5

Villa’s right-back has scored three in his last three appearances, and he’s had a shot on target in each of those games, attempting nine shots during this period.

I think 18/5 is a cracking price for him to bag anytime, and he’s one player in particular that seems to have thrived since Emery’s arrival.

He’s played further up the pitch in Villa’s most recent encounters before the international break, so I imagine he will do again here, with Ezri Konsa filing in at right-back, giving him more license to get forward and perhaps get on the scoresheet.