Patrick Vieira’s Eagles travel to Villa Park to face Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in a battle for the top-half as we near the season’s finale. The last time these two met, goals from Matt Targett and a peach of a strike from John McGinn were enough to secure the points in a 2-1 away victory at Selhurst Park back in November.
BUILD UP
This fixture appears in round 37 of the Premier League season, but both teams have an additional game to play next week due to COVID postponements throughout the 2021/22 campaign. Aston Villa face Burnley for the second time in the space of 12 days, meanwhile Crystal Palace head to Goodison Park to play relegation-threatened Everton.
During the week, Aston Villa’s ‘End of Season Awards’ ceremony took place in the Holte Suite at Villa Park, giving the opportunity for a select number of the club’s most loyal and deserving fans to attend such a prestigious event and be among the players they watch week in, week out.
Before the awards were announced, Aston Villa’s Chief Executive Officer Christian Purslow made an announcement to those in attendance, revealing that play-maker Philippe Coutinho had signed permanently for the club on a four-year deal. This news was music to the ears of all Villa fans, and has started the club’s transfer business off with a bang.
There were four awards up for grabs on the night, including ‘Young Player of the Season’, ‘Supporter’s Player of the Season’, ‘Player’s Player of the Season’, and ‘Goal of the Season’. Below, you can see the winners of each award, pictured with their trophy.
Young Player of the Season: Jacob Ramsey
Player’s Player of the Season: Jacob Ramsey
Supporter’s Player of the Season: Matty Cash
Goal of the Season: Danny Ings
The Women’s team of course had their winners too, and the results of their awards can be seen below.
Young Player of the Season: Laura Blindkilde Brown.
Player’s Player of the Season: Anita Asante.
Supporter’s Player of the Season: Alisha Lehmann.
Goal of the Season: Sarah Mayling.
Heading into Sunday’s penultimate game at Villa Park, Gerrard’s men hope to bounce back from their recent 2-1 defeat to the Manager’s boyhood club, Liverpool. It was a well-contested affair under the lights, and despite going a goal ahead after just three minutes thanks to Douglas Luiz’s rebounded effort, the claret and blues just fell short to the title-chasers from Merseyside.
As for Palace, they come off the back of a victory at home to already-relegated Watford, courtesy of a Wilfred Zaha penalty on the half an hour mark. Vieira’s side have had a reasonably mixed season, picking up some impressive victories, such as the 3-0 home triumph against fourth-placed Arsenal, but have also suffered some disappointing results along the road too.
Inconsistency has been the issue for both sides this season, hence their positions in the Premier League table, but when on form, either team can play exceptionally well and go toe-to-toe against any outfit.
The occasion looks set to be a big one, with the club reporting that there will be celebrations outlining the 40th anniversary of the European Cup success from 1982, with a mosaic planned through flags presented to each seat in the stadium. Members of that incredible winning side will be in attendance and on pitch-side both at the start of the game and during a lap of honour at half-time too.
Can Steven Gerrard’s side mark the anniversary of their historic win in Rotterdam with a victory that would also bolster their chances at a top-half finish, or will Vieira’s Eagles swoop in and snatch three points away from home?
Let’s take a look at the team news heading into this one…
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa’s squad looks to be strengthened this weekend with Jacob Ramsey set to return to the match-day side to play Crystal Palace. The 20 year-old has missed the last two fixtures due to a groin problem, but boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed that the double award-winner “is back in the group”, explaining that “he’s trained for the last couple of days and is looking good, looking strong. So that’s a big positive for us.”
However, striker Ollie Watkins may miss the fixture due to an ankle concern off the back of the Liverpool game on Tuesday. Villa’s top scorer this season was substituted with 10 minutes to go, but appeared fine despite being withdrawn. Gerrard revealed that “Ollie hasn’t trained yet since the game (against Liverpool), but he’s still got a chance to be involved.” The No.11 is set to take part in the final session before Sunday’s game, and if all goes well “he’ll be available”.
Steven Gerrard also ruled out both Leon Bailey and Kortney Hause for the fixture, stating that the pair “still aren’t ready to return.” as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Despite a small scare concerning Emiliano Buendía, after the Argentine “left training with a knock”, Villa’s No.10 is fine after participating in the following day’s session pain-free.
The boss confirmed that aside from the absentees, “Everyone else is ready to go.” as his Villans aim to continue their impressive form of late and finish the season well with a spot inside the top-half of the division.
As for Crystal Palace, they too have a couple of injury concerns heading into the game, with one guaranteed absentee being young defender Nathan Ferguson. The 21 year-old has suffered an injury-ridden career at Selhurst Park so far, missing most of the 20/21 campaign with a hamstring injury and a further six months last year after rupturing his Achilles tendon. Upon return, Ferguson picked up a handful of minutes in the Premier League and a couple of appearances for the U23 side before once again suffering a hamstring problem, one that could rule him out for the season.
Former Chelsea defender, Marc Guéhi, faces a late fitness test ahead of the weekend’s clash with Aston Villa after being taken off in the Eagles’ recent victory against Watford with an ankle injury. The centre-half has had an incredible first season in Palace colours, helping him to earn his first international cap whilst also being brandished as one of England’s finest up and coming young players. The No.6 aims to be on the plane to Qatar ahead of the World Cup at the end of the year, “though it is likely he’ll not be ready to face Aston Villa.” this weekend.
Scottish international James McArthur will miss the game with a knock after his boss Patrick Vieira confirmed the midfielder’s absence during Friday’s press conference, stating “James McArthur we know is not going to be part of the squad because he didn’t start training yet with the squad.”
To finish, Vieira may also be without regular goalkeeper Vincente Guaita for the game at Villa Park, after the Spaniard faces a late fitness test on the back of a knock that kept him out of the previous tie with Watford. Jack Butland was between the sticks on the day, and kept a clean sheet in the No.1’s absence. The former Stoke City ‘keeper (Butland) is expected to keep his place in net if Guaita remains unavailable.
Apart from these few setbacks, Crystal Palace will have a fully fit squad to take with them to Birmingham this week, with the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Conor Gallagher and Tyrick Mitchell all expected to feature in this one.
Let’s take a closer look at this Palace side ahead of the game, as we delve deeper into the opposition…
THE OPPOSITION
Crystal Palace have undergone quite the season under the stewardship of Patrick Vieira, and currently sit in 11th place as a result. Over the past few seasons the Eagles have struggled, with former boss Roy Hodgson unable to excel his side and take them further up the league. The Palace board decided to relieve the veteran manager of his role, and brought in a young and exciting head coach, Patrick Vieira.
During his playing days, the Frenchman was an incredible leader, and so it was always expected that the former Arsenal midfielder would step up into management and lead a side from the touchline. After spending time at Manchester City and developing their young players, Vieira proceeded to take the plunge and manage the senior sides of both New York City FC and OGC Nice.
Upon arrival at Crystal Palace, there were doubts as to what Vieira could do with this Palace side after a rather underwhelming spell in France at Nice. But, after some impressive signings, namely Conor Collagher, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, these doubts started to relieve and people saw potential in the Eagles.
Since then, Vieira has certainly progressed his side, and after successive 14th place finishes in the last few years, looks set to finish higher than his predecessor in his first season. Some of the free-flowing football Palace play at times can be extremely enjoyable to watch, and will certainly have the Palace faithful excited for what is to come during the 45-year old’s tenure.
His fine campaign at Selhurst Park has earned him a nomination for the Premier League’s ‘Manager of the Season’ award. Patrick Vieira and the club will be delighted that his name is among some of the division’s most elite bosses, particularly during his first spell in charge in the league.
Palace typically play at a high-intensity, and enjoy pressing from the front to win the ball back. Midfielder Conor Gallagher is particularly accomplished in his box-to-box role, and the Chelsea-loanee has undergone a superb season in red and blue. The 22 year-old emulates that of his manager, and works hard in the core of the side, contributing at both ends of the field consistently, helping him to earn many plaudits this season and win his first three senior caps for England too.
Of course, main talisman Wilfred Zaha has had another fantastic year at the club, and continues to win the hearts of Palace fans week in, week out. The 29 year-old has scored 13 goals in the league this season, but his trickery and ability to outwit defenders each game make him one of the league’s best talents. Steven Gerrard’s side face a tough test in keeping him quiet this week, with Zaha preparing for battle against ‘Supporter’s Player of the Year’ Matty Cash down the left-wing.
Elsewhere, academy prospect Tyrick Mitchell has impressed at left-back and, alongside Gallagher, has been nominated for the Premier League’s ‘Young Player of the Season’ award. Mitchell, has already racked up 56 appearances for his side across two years, and his fine performances have also earned him a couple of caps for England along the way. The 22 year-old will be tough to beat on Sunday, and will also be one to keep an eye on when going forward, after displaying a bond with winger Zaha that has worked well all campaign.
There is plenty of talent within this Crystal Palace side, and Gerrard’s team will need to have their wits about them this weekend if they are to get a result. Palace like to play quickly and counter-attack, and preparation ahead of this will will focus on this side of the opposition’s game.
Let’s now take a look at my final thoughts ahead of what is set to be quite the spectacle at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon…
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Personally, I am quite looking forward to this weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace, and believe it is a game between two teams that have a very exciting future ahead of them. Palace have a number of exciting young talents, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise spring to mind, who have a wealth of potential and it will be interesting to see how the pair develop over the next couple of seasons.
Patrick Vieira looks to be a positive appointment for Crystal Palace, and if his first season is anything to go by, he will have a good career in South London. Palace’s fan-base is up there with one of the best in the league, and the atmosphere at Selhurst Park is incredible; the Eagles are certainly a club I admire.
I believe the game will be won or lost down the wings this week, and Villa will need Matty Cash to finish his superb season well as he faces up against Zaha. The Ivorian is a fantastic footballer, whether you like him or not, and his ability on the ball is second to none. Whoever plays that right-midfield role will have a job on their hands to support Cash in attempt of keeping the winger quiet and reducing the space he has to run in behind and make things happen.
The midfield battle between two engines in John McGinn and Conor Gallagher is another clash that I look forward to viewing, and hopefully the Scotsman comes out on top.
With Watkins’ availability up in the air, could we see both Buendía and Coutinho on the field, supporting Danny Ings at the top of the team? I for one would love to see this, and my mouth waters at the chances Ings will be presented with with the two South-Americans feeding balls into him. Speaking of, I’d like to see Douglas Luiz keep his place in the ‘8’ despite the return of Jacob Ramsey, as I believe Villa’s No.6 has had a good run of games there and deserves to keep his starting position in that role.
It is a tough one to predict, and I think the scoreline will be narrow, but with the positive news emerging from the Coutinho deal and the confidence within the side of late, I will go for another 2-1 victory for Aston Villa. I think little Phil Coutinho will mark his special week off with a goal, before Danny Ings bags his eighth of the year. In typical Aston Villa fashion, I can see an ex-player coming back to Villa Park to haunt us, so will predict either Jordan Ayew or Christian Benteke to grab the away side’s goal.
Up the Villa!
Liam
LIAM DAVIES | UTV PODCAST
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