Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Prediction (Wednesday 7th January 2026)

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa is a tricky midweek Premier League spot where the table says one thing, and the recent matchup history says another. Villa arrive as genuine top three pace setters, but Palace have been a problem opponent for them for over a year, and Selhurst Park usually finds a way to make things uncomfortable.

Match details and how to watch

Item	Details
Fixture	Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Competition	Premier League (Matchweek 21)
Date	Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Venue	Selhurst Park, London
Kickoff (UK)	7:30pm GMT
Kickoff (US)	2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT
TV and streaming (US)	Peacock

Form, table position, and the numbers that matter

Aston Villa’s league record is elite and they start the night level on points with Manchester City. Palace are mid table, but their underlying defensive numbers remain respectable, which is why a tight game is on the table.

Category	Crystal Palace	Aston Villa
League position	14th	3rd
Points	27	42
Record	7-6-7	13-3-4
Goals scored	22	33
Goals conceded	23	24
Recent PL form	W L L L D L	W W W W L W
Opta win probability	30.8%	44.1%

Team news and injuries

Palace are dealing with a thin right sided situation, while Villa’s absences are concentrated in midfield and at center back, with some defenders edging closer to returns.

Team	Notable absences (per PL injury list and club updates)	Return boosts
Crystal Palace	Nathaniel Clyne, Jefferson Lerma, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada, Cheick Doucoure (plus others)	Chris Richards back in the matchday squad
Aston Villa	Ross Barkley, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Amadou Onana	Emery has indicated key defenders are moving toward availability

Key matchups that shape the prediction

Battle	Why it matters
Jean-Philippe Mateta vs Villa’s center backs	Mateta has been involved in nine Premier League goals against Villa (six goals, three assists), and Palace will lean on him to turn territory into chances.
Ollie Watkins in transition	Watkins is back producing, and Villa’s best moments often come when they win it and go quickly into the channels.
Palace’s right side cover	With injuries affecting Palace’s options, Villa will try to overload that flank through their wide rotations and late runners.