Crystal Palace — Aston Villa Prediction, H2H and Probable Lineups — 7 January 2026
On January 7, 2026, in Matchday 21 of the English Premier League, Crystal Palace will host Aston Villa. The match is set to kick off at 20:30 Central European Time. Let’s take a closer look at the potential outcome of this clash.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace approach this match in poor form. In their last seven matches across all competitions, the team has yet to secure a win, recording three draws and four defeats. Their most recent game was an away Premier League loss to Newcastle, ending 0-2. Prior to that, they drew 1-1 at home against Fulham and suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Tottenham. Currently, Crystal Palace sit 14th in the league table with 27 points, four points behind the European qualification zone.
During this difficult period, the team also lost in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, falling to Arsenal on penalties. In European competitions, Crystal Palace finished 10th in their UEFA Conference League group and will now await their play-off opponent.
The team’s home form is also underwhelming: Crystal Palace rank 15th in the Premier League for home results, collecting just 11 points from 10 matches. In their last six home fixtures, they have yet to win, with three draws and three defeats. Their goal-scoring record has been modest as well: in 20 matches, the team has scored only 22 goals while conceding 23. Their last four games have all ended with under 2.5 total goals.
Regarding head-to-head home meetings, Crystal Palace have a strong home record against Aston Villa, winning their last four encounters at Selhurst Park.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa approach this match in strong form. In their most recent game, they defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 at home, bouncing back after a heavy 1-4 loss to Arsenal in the previous round. Overall, the team’s form has been convincing: in their last 13 matches, Aston Villa have suffered just one defeat to Arsenal, winning the remaining 12 games. Currently, the team sit third in the league table with 42 points — level with Manchester City and six points behind Arsenal.
Their away form has been equally impressive. Aston Villa have collected 17 points from 10 away matches and have won five of their last six games on the road. Matches involving Aston Villa recently have been high-scoring affairs. In their last eight games, the total goals exceeded 2.5 in every match, with both teams finding the net in each encounter.
In European competitions, the team have also performed well. After six matches in the Europa League, Aston Villa sit third in their group, maintaining strong chances of advancing to the Round of 16.
As for head-to-head clashes against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa have struggled: in their last six meetings, they have failed to win, losing five and drawing once. Notably, all six of these games ended with over 2.5 goals.
Probable Lineups
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Guéhi, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Clyne, Pino, Devenny, Mateta
- Aston Villa: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Key Facts and Head-to-Head
- Crystal Palace have failed to win their last 7 matches.
- Crystal Palace have conceded first in 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Aston Villa have won 12 of their last 13 matches.
- Aston Villa have won 5 of their last 6 away matches.
- 11 of Aston Villa’s last 12 matches have seen over 2.5 goals.
- In 10 of Aston Villa’s last 11 matches, both teams scored.
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in last 6 head-to-head meetings.
- 8 of the last 9 head-to-head meetings have seen over 2.5 goals.
Crystal Palace — Aston Villa Prediction
The teams approach this game in very different forms. Crystal Palace are going through a difficult period, having failed to win in their last seven matches across all competitions. Their home form has also been poor, although they boast a strong record against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park in previous encounters. Aston Villa, on the other hand, are in excellent shape. The team occupy top positions in both the Premier League and the Europa League, playing an attacking and high-scoring style. However, they have struggled defensively, conceding in each of their last eight games. Crystal Palace have proved to be a very tricky opponent for Villa in recent years, with the Birmingham side failing to beat them in their last six meetings. Considering the current forms of both teams, Palace’s desire to end their negative streak, Villa’s attacking firepower, and the historically high-scoring encounters between these sides, all signs point to an open and exciting game with goals from both teams. My bet for this match: Both Teams to Score — Yes at odds of 1.67.
