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Crystal Palace travel to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on the back of a huge confidence boost after securing their first Premier League win of the season only three days prior to this encounter.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 30th October 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 3:45pm / US PT – 12:45pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports+ / US – CBS Sports Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
ASTON VILLA PREVIEW: EMERY OUT TO CONTINUE CUP EXPLOITS
A perfect record in the Champions League and still in the League Cup, there’s plenty to be optimistic about at Aston Villa right now despite throwing away two Premier League points this past weekend after conceding an equaliser to Bournemouth in the dying embers of second half stoppage time at Villa Park.
Every player has a point to prove with competition for places fierce and with Villa having lost just one game in all competitions all season, they are showing no signs of slowing down despite the relentless schedule.
CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW: MOMENTUM KEY ON PALACE SIDE
With Oliver Glasner under huge pressure at Selhurst Park, his players came through for him at the weekend to deliver a vital win for Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal just after the half-hour mark was enough to overcome an in-form Spurs and lift the Eagles out of the Premier League’s bottom three.
Now Glasner and Palace turn their attentions to the cup and after beating Championship opposition in Norwich and QPR respectively across the last two rounds, they face by far their toughest challenge yet in the form of Aston Villa.
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS: DURAN AND BARKLEY LIKELY TO COME IN
After scoring his side’s only goal against Bournemouth, Ross Barkley is a strong contender to start on this occasion, giving Emery the chance to potentially rest Morgan Rogers. The enigma that is Jhon Duran could also play from the start with Watkins on the bench, whilst left-back Ian Maatsen may come in for Lucas Digne.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bailey, Onana, Tielemans Ramsey; Barkley; Duran
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
CRYSTAL PALACE TEAM NEWS: LERMA OUT WITH HAMSTRING STRAIN
After suffering a hamstring strain against Spurs, Jefferson Lerma will have to be replaced in midfield, with both Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada fighting to take his place. Coming off the back of such an important win, it would be no surprise if Oliver Glasner names the same starting XI in an attempt to build on that result.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
UNAVAILABLE: Franca (Injured), Lerma (Injured), Riad (Injured), Richards (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Doucoure (Injured)
ASTON VILLA VS CRYSTAL PALACE PREDICTION
Crystal Palace boast a squad who should be doing significantly better than they are across the season so far, particularly when you consider the way they ended the last campaign. Now they have a win under their belts, the Eagles can use that as a springboard moving forwards. Unfortunately for them, this game sees them run into one of the toughest opponents you can face right now in England.
Aston Villa’s cup pedigree under Unai Emery is formidable and no matter what selection he opts for, the team appears so well drilled and incredibly dangerous going forward. Everyone knows their respective roles and at home, Villa will look to dictate proceedings. As well as Crystal Palace played on Sunday, this is likely to prove a step too far for them.
ASTON VILLA VS CRYSTAL PALACE TIP: ASTON VILLA TO WIN