Aston Villa didn’t have a win in four consecutive rounds, and those matches were a mix of poor discipline and controversial coach decisions. They have also a victory in seven rounds, and that portends hope for both teams for a change.
The media are concentrated in the team of the guests, before the start of the match, because Alan Pardew is expected to ‘take up the baton’ after the change of the management post.
Fabian Felf will miss three games for the hosts after becoming the third player of Villa expelled directly into the last four games. Considering the absence of Ashley Westwood Lambert will surely have some headaches in the middle of the field.
Kieran Richardson and Gabby Agbonlahor returned after penalties and will play, while Joe Cole is back from an injury, which he got precisely again the team of Crystal Palace in the first match of the championship between those teams.
The guests are almost without any problems. Marwan Samak is injured and it is expected that Wilfred Zaha will participate in the game. The wife of Yannick Bolasie is assigned to give birth that day and that fact puts his presence into a question. Mile Jedinak has a commitment with the Australian national team.
Both teams rely on defense to the moment in that season. Villa has Christian Benteke, but recently returned striker has not yet filed his normal condition.
Last 5 played games
Aston Villa
7 December: Aston Villa-Swansea: 2:1 (Serie A)
13 December: West Bromwich -Aston Villa: 1:0 (Premier League)
20 December: Aston Villa-Manchester City: 1:1 (Premier League)
26 December: Swansea-Aston Villa: 1:0 (Premier League)
28 December: Aston Villa-Sunderland: 0:0 (Premier League)
Crystal Palace
06 December: Tottenham-Crystal Palace : 0:0 (Premier League)
13 December: Crystal Palace-Stoke City : 1:1 (Premier League)
20 December: Manchester City-Crystal Palace: 3:0 (Premier League)
26 December: Crystal Palace-Southampton 1:3 (Premier League)
28 December: Queens Park Rangers-Crystal Palace: 0:0 (Premier League)
Previous matches
Aston Villa-Crystal Palace
40 matches played so far
17 wins for Aston Villa
13 draws
10 wins for Crystal Palace
Goal difference: 56:37 for Aston Villa