Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Predictions

Crystal Palace will host Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on February 26, 2025, in a pivotal Premier League matchup as Round 27 brings together two teams with contrasting fortunes. Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, finished the 2024 Premier League season with 49 points, placing 10th, and as of February 25, 2025, are projected to sit 12th with around 33 points from 26 matches, following a projected 2-0 win over Fulham (Feb 22, 2025). Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, ended 2024 in 5th with 68 points and are projected to hold 4th place with approximately 45 points from 26 matches, coming off a projected 2-1 win over Chelsea (Feb 22, 2025). Our expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa in this Premier League clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Crystal Palace

• 2024 Record: 13W, 10D, 15L (49 points, 10th in Premier League)

• Latest Result (Projected as of Feb 25): 2-0 win vs. Fulham (Feb 22, 2025); 9W, 6D, 11L (33 points projected entering Feb 25)

• Home Form (2024): 8W, 4D, 7L (averaging 1.42 goals scored, 1.37 conceded)
  Crystal Palace have shown signs of resurgence, with their projected 2-0 victory over Fulham marking their fourth win in six league games (4W, 1D, 1L), following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal (Feb 15, 2025). As of February 25, 2025, they’re projected at 33 points from 26 matches, averaging 1.38 goals per game and conceding 1.35, reflecting a team climbing toward mid-table stability. At home in 2024, they averaged 1.42 goals per game, with Jean-Philippe Mateta (11 goals entering 2025) leading the attack, though their home form has been inconsistent.

Aston Villa

• 2024 Record: 20W, 8D, 10L (68 points, 5th in Premier League)

• Latest Result (Projected as of Feb 25): 2-1 win vs. Chelsea (Feb 22, 2025); 13W, 6D, 7L (45 points projected entering Feb 25)

• Away Form (2024): 9W, 4D, 6L (averaging 1.74 goals scored, 1.47 conceded)
  Aston Villa have been a force, with their projected 2-1 win over Chelsea marking their third victory in four league games (3W, 0D, 1L), following a 1-0 loss to Liverpool (Feb 15, 2025). Projected at 45 points from 26 matches, they average 1.81 goals per game and concede 1.23, solidifying their top-four push. On the road in 2024, they averaged 1.74 goals per game, with Ollie Watkins (12 goals entering 2025) and Morgan Rogers (6 goals) driving a potent attack, though their away defense has shown occasional cracks.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Aston Villa 19W, Crystal Palace 13W, 10D (42 meetings since 1979)

• Recent Meetings:

  • Nov 23, 2024: Aston Villa 2-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

  • Oct 30, 2024: Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace (EFL Cup)

  • May 19, 2024: Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)

• Key Trend: Crystal Palace have won 3 of the last 5 meetings; 4 of their last 5 H2Hs exceeded 2.5 goals.
  Crystal Palace have had the upper hand recently, including a 2-1 EFL Cup upset on October 30, 2024, at Villa Park, and a 5-0 thrashing in May 2024 at Selhurst Park, both led by Mateta’s scoring prowess. Matches have averaged 3.2 goals per game in their last five encounters, with Villa’s last win at Selhurst Park a 2-1 result in November 2021. The high-scoring trend and Palace’s recent edge add intrigue to this clash.

Key Players to Watch

Crystal Palace

• Jean-Philippe Mateta (FWD): 11 goals in 2024/25; Palace’s top scorer and key finisher.

• Eberechi Eze (MID): 4 goals, 5 assists; creative spark in midfield.

• Dean Henderson (GK): 7 clean sheets; vital in goal despite defensive lapses.

Aston Villa

• Ollie Watkins (FWD): 12 goals in 2024/25; Villa’s leading scorer and talisman.

• Morgan Rogers (MID): 6 goals, 4 assists; dynamic attacker adding flair.

• Emiliano Martínez (GK): 8 clean sheets; world-class keeper anchoring the defense.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Crystal Palace’s fluid 3-4-2-1 (1.38 goals per game) will challenge Aston Villa’s structured 4-2-3-1 (1.81 goals per game). Mateta’s physicality and Eze’s creativity could exploit Villa’s away defense (1.47 goals conceded per game), which has been tested recently. Villa’s counterattacking style, led by Watkins and Rogers, will test Palace’s backline (1.35 goals conceded per game), though their home resilience offers hope. Palace’s Cheick Doucoure (out, knee) and Villa’s Tyrone Mings (doubtful, fitness) may affect lineups, with Palace’s 25,000-strong Selhurst Park crowd pushing for an upset.

Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

Our Prediction: Double Chance - Crystal Palace or Draw

TIP 2: Both Team to Score - Yes