Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Semi-Final
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In what has been an open and intriguing FA Cup throughout this campaign, we now have two sides desperate for a trophy meeting in the first semi-final as Crystal Palace face Aston Villa.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 26th April, 2025: UK – 5:15pm / US ET – 12:15pm / US PT – 9:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / US – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN+
Crystal Palace Preview: Stunted Eagles
Crystal Palace come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with capital city rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in midweek. Palace went behind twice in the match to Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard goals but fought back thanks to Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta goals.
The Eagles have been one of the strongest sides in the Premier League since mid-to-late-October but they did recently concede ten goals in two games against Manchester City and Newcastle United before steadying themselves with back-to-back victories ahead of this one.
Aston Villa Preview: Villains of the piece
Aston Villa come into this one on the back of a second defeat in their last 12 matches across all competitions in dramatic circumstances as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with a Matheus Nunes winner scored deep into second-half stoppage-time.
The Villains put in some good performances against Paris Saint-Germain recently as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and Unai Emery’s side now have a chance to put that right in a cup competition by reaching the FA Cup final.
Crystal Palace Team News: Richards returns
Crystal Palace rotated a fair bit in midweek but the likes of Will Hughes, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta are expected to come back into the starting eleven this weekend. United States international defender Chris Richards has also served a one-match suspension following his second off last weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Daniel Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Unavailable: Riad (Injured), Doucoure (Injured)
Questionable: Chilwell (Injured)
Aston Villa Team News: Fully fit
After rotating quite often in recent weeks, Unai Emery once again dropped Ollie Watkins to the bench against Manchester City in midweek but it would be no surprise to see him return to the squad to replace his international teammate Marcus Rashford for this FA Cup semi-final.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Marco Asensio, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Prediction
Oliver Glasner and his Crystal Palace side have delivered some demolitions to Aston Villa and you get the feeling it might be their name on the cup given the fact their quarter-final against Fulham was also a game against a team in which they are ideally suited to play against and beat. Villa have the big names for the big stage and Wembley Stadium in a cup semi is indeed the setting for them to step up. It does appear too close to call but it could well be an entertaining encounter for the neutral.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Tip: Both teams to score
