Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will hope that third time proves lucky when the two sides meet in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Both the Lions and the Eagles have managed only three points collectively in the opening stages of the 2025-26 season, although Oliver Glasner’s Villa have found success on the European stage.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa remain winless and without a goal after the opening two weeks of the Premier League, with their 0-0 draw against Newcastle on matchday one offering some encouragement, though their 1-0 loss to a revamped Brentford side last time out was far from impressive.
Up against a Brentford squad missing Bryan Mbeumo, Thomas Frank, Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken, and the unsettled Yoane Wissa, Villa were powerless to prevent Dango Ouattara’s 12th-minute strike, extending their frustrating start to the season.
Including their final-day defeat to Manchester United in 2024-25, the Lions have now failed to score or secure a win in their last three Premier League fixtures, a run only matched at the start of a season once before—in 1997-98.
Finding their scoring form is crucial ahead of a challenging Europa League group stage, where Villa are drawn against Red Bull Salzburg, Feyenoord, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Fenerbahce, Young Boys, Basel, Bologna, and Go Ahead Eagles.
Before focusing on Europe, Unai Emery’s side can take heart from their strong home record; Villa Park has been a fortress, with Aston Villa unbeaten in their last 19 league matches there, the longest ongoing top-flight home streak in England.
Team News
Aston Villa were dealt another blow against Brentford, as French midfielder Boubacar Kamara suffered a thigh injury in the first half, though Emery suggested he could still be available for Sunday’s clash during his pre-match press conference.
Despite the optimism, reports indicate Kamara will likely miss at least the next two weeks, joining Ross Barkley (unspecified) and Andres Garcia (unspecified) in the club’s injury list.
On a positive note, Ezri Konsa returns from suspension after missing the Brentford game for his red card against Aston Villa, putting Pau Torres’s starting spot under threat.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, continue their unbeaten run under Glasner, having yet to suffer defeat in any competitive fixture this season and extending their streak to 13 matches if the Community Shield triumph over Liverpool is included.
The Eagles’ Premier League performances have been steady rather than spectacular, sharing points with both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest recently – a Callum Hudson-Odoi equalizer cancelled out Ismaila Sarr’s opener against Forest.
Palace did not need to dazzle midweek to secure their place in the Conference League group stage, as a 0-0 draw at Fredrikstad ensured a 1-0 aggregate playoff victory. Their upcoming group-stage opponents include AZ Alkmaar and Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club.
While Aston Villa boast a strong home record, Palace’s impressive form on the road adds an extra layer of intrigue to Sunday’s clash; the FA Cup holders have lost just two Premier League away games since November 2024, only Arsenal (one) have lost fewer.
That sequence features a 2-2 draw in this same fixture last season, followed by a 4-1 win at Selhurst Park and a 3-0 FA Cup semi-final triumph, setting up what promises to be a tense encounter against a determined Villa side on Sunday evening.
Team News
Crystal Palace have moved to fill the Eberechi Eze gap with the acquisition of Spanish youngster Yeremy Pino from Villarreal, and the club have confirmed that he is eligible to make his Premier League debut this weekend.
Chris Richards is expected to be available despite a minor ankle issue, though Will Hughes (knock) will require assessment. Meanwhile, Odsonne Edouard (Achilles), Caleb Kporha (back), Matheus Franca (groin), Eddie Nketiah (thigh), Cheick Doucoure (knee), and Chadi Riad (knee) remain sidelined.
A consistent thorn in Aston Villa’s side, Ismaila Sarr has had a direct hand in a goal in each of his six Premier League starts against the Lions, scoring seven times himself and providing three assists.
Conclusion
Palace travelled overseas in midweek, and Glasner had limited opportunities to rotate his squad, meaning the nine players who played the full 90 minutes against Fredrikstad are likely to feature again on Sunday.
Consequently, a previously struggling Villa side should be able to take advantage, stifle their tired opponents, and secure their first Premier League victory of the season.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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