Kick-off: 1200, 16/05/2021
Stadium: Selhurst Park
TV: Sky Sports
Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa very much has the feel of an end-of-season fixture with little to play for.
Neither team can move much further up the table from 13th and 11th respectively and an early kick-off won’t help to bolster the energy or enthusiasm levels.
We reckon this has all the makings of a low-key stalemate so 5/2 for a draw is our first Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa prediction.
A Look At Crystal Palace’s Betting Odds
Crystal Palace couldn’t capitalise on a second-minute Christian Benteke strike when going down 3-1 at Southampton on Tuesday.
A Danny Ings double either side of a Che Adams effort saw Saints run out comfortable winners at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Eagles have a host of first-team squad members out of contract this summer and Roy Hodgson is wary about how committed they will be over the last few fixtures.
“We can’t deny the fact there are players on the bench who are unsettled,” said Hodgson.
“They might be experienced but there is a question mark as to how much they’re going to be prepared to die for the cause because we can only expect them to behave as human beings.
“We want the best from them, we expect them to respect their contracts and we expect them always to go out and give what they can give every time we step on the field.
“But there are players out there who might be uncertain about what the future holds and there will be players on Sunday when we play Aston Villa who will be uncertain about their futures.”
One player who there are no concerns about at the moment is Benteke, with the Belgium forward having netted five times in 11 club games.
If the Eagles are to do well in this contest, 5/1 for Benteke to score first appeals from the Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa odds.
Last Palace line-up: Guaita, Ward, Dann, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Kouyate, Eze, Riedewald, Ayew, Zaha, Benteke.
A Look At Aston Villa’s Betting Odds
Aston Villa are coming off a goalless stalemate versus Everton on Thursday, which was a fourth draw in 10 outings.
In a game of few chances, Emiliano Martinez thwarted Ben Godfrey and Dominic Calvert-Lewin while Tyrone Mings headed Villa’s best opportunity wide.
One plus point was the return of Jack Grealish as a second-half substitute following a three-month absence with a shin problem.
Dean Smith felt Grealish “brought a spark onto the pitch straight away” but offered a warning with regards expecting too much from him too soon.
The manager commented: “We’re really happy to have him back, it’s small steps at the moment but it’s great to have him out there.
“It was a strange injury but he’s come back now, he looks fresh and we need to go softly, softly with him.”
Villa did defend resolutely when put under late pressure and it is worth noting only Manchester City have conceded fewer away goals this term.
Let’s add 4/5 for under 2.5 goals in this game to our Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa betting tips, along with 6/1 for a 1-1 draw.
Last Villa line-up: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi, Davis.
Additional stats
Last result:
Southampton 3-1 CRYSTAL PALACE – Christian Benteke
ASTON VILLA 0-0 Everton
Head-to-head: Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace, Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa
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