Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Prediction: Free hit for the Villans

Aston Villa got themselves back on track with a 3-1 victory at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday and they will look to follow it up with three points at Crystal Palace on Wednesday (19:30 GMT, Sky Sports+).

Their hosts are in a bit of a rut at the moment, with four defeats from their last five games. My Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa predictions can be found below, supported by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Palace have had to endure a gruelling festive period with injuries and their injury list has grown after Nathaniel Clyne picked up a groin issue against Newcastle United last time out.

Daniel Munoz, Cheick Doucoure (both knee), Caleb Kporha (back), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Chris Richards (foot) and Jefferson Lerma (head) are also confined to the treatment room.

Ismaila Sarr, someone who has scored in his last two appearances against Aston Villa, is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Premier League Odds

Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Pau Torres (calf) are thought to be nearing returns from injury for Villa, but Amadou Onana (hamstring) and Ross Barkley (knee) remain sidelined for the visitors.

Harvey Elliott is set to return to Liverpool this month as Villa were reluctant to play the midfielder for the amount of games that would have triggered the obligation to buy in his loan deal.

Evann Guessand is another Afcon absentee.

Today's Football Fixtures

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Odds

Crystal Palace have lost four of their last five league games but they have beaten Villa in the previous two competitive meetings. They are 21/10 to come out on top here.

The Eagles drew their latest home match against Fulham, and the stalemate is valued at 12/5.

With 13 wins from 15 games in the top flight, Villa are 11/8 (implied probability of 42.1%) to come away with the three points.

BTTS - Yes has struck in each of Villa's past seven outings in the Premier League and 8/11 is the price on this occasion.

Match Result - Aston Villa @ 11/8

There may be a degree of nerves from Villa heading here given their recent record against Palace, but the Eagles are looking vulnerable right now both in form and personnel.

Sarr being at Afcon will be a huge sigh of relief for Villa and they will look to capitalise at Selhurst Park without the tormentor their to hurt them. Confidence is low for the hosts at the moment, while Villa have regained some after their home triumph over Forest.

Thirteen wins from 15 in any league is remarkable, so the fact this is the Premier League makes Villa's run all the more impressive. They are six points behind Arsenal in the title race but are now level with Manchester City after the Citizens dropped points against Chelsea.

Villa will want to keep up the pace with the Gunners so that they are in a position to pounce should Arsenal slip up. I can't see them facing a great deal of problems in south London and I think they are good value to put another three points on the board.

Anytime Goalscorer - Ollie Watkins @ 8/5

Before December, Villa forward Ollie Watkins had just one league goal to his name. For a player who had seven by that stage in 2023/24 and six last season, people were starting to worry that the England international was on the decline.

Since then he has struck six times, including two braces and is currently on a run of three consecutive games in which he has scored - bagging four in the process. His reanimation seems to have come at the perfect time for Unai Emery's side as Villa bid to ensure they remain in the title race.

We all know the quality Watkins possesses, especially when he is in a good vein of form, so I think he's good value to add another goal to his tally on Wednesday night.

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