Gameweek 3 of the Premier League is already upon us. Let’s hear Liam’s thoughts on this afternoon’s clash between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
After last weekend’s victory over Frank Lampard’s Everton, I am looking forward to the upcoming game at Selhurst Park and am confident that we can get a result. It is always a difficult trip, but there is more than enough quality within the team to get the better of Vieira’s side.
I am somewhat fearful of Crystal Palace however – there are many threats within the red and blue side. Villa always seem to struggle up against The Eagles’ talisman Wilfred Zaha, and so keeping him quiet will of course be a priority.
Another concern is that we are not yet seeing the team’s true potential, and have rarely seen Steven Gerrard’s high-pace, intense style of play in full flow. An adjustment period was necessary given last season’s changing of manager, but surely after a full pre-season we should expect to be seeing a more defined style of football? It all still seems a bit ’patchy’ I guess.
When it works, it looks great and is a brilliant watch, but this sort of showing comes around far too infrequently for me, and with the talented squad of players at the club’s disposal, I’d expect to see more consistency.
It is still early days however, and belief in the side, Steven Gerrard and the project at large still remain.
MATCH VERDICT
As expected, I believe the fixture will be well-contested and often fiery with the electric atmosphere that comes when playing at Selhurst. The Villa players need to be on top of their games from the off, and ready for a tough battle in a difficult arena.
John McGinn had a superb game in this fixture last year, and the new captain needs to execute a high-energy, imposing display once again today. As previously stated, how The Villans cope with Zaha will have a significant say on the game, and so Matty Cash’s performance will be crucial too.
The contest is perfectly poised, with two clubs hoping to break into the top-half of the table going to war together. I think a piece of quality may settle the affair – similarly to last season, where McGinn’s stunner was the difference.
Both Palace and Villa possess an abundance of ability, and you feel the game will therefore be an exciting watch. Zaha and Eze are the standout duo for the home side, whereas Buendía and Coutinho are the two that can set the stage alight for the claret and blues.
Can Villa’s South-American stars get the better of Crystal Palace’s dynamic and gifted duo, or will Vieira’s evolving Eagles put down Gerrard’s hopeful Villans?
SCORE PREDICTION
Last week’s score prediction was relatively accurate, but I am aiming for 100% this week. There are many conundrums for Steven Gerrard leading into the game, with the first issue concerning the formation.
Do you stick with the winning formula that trumped The Toffees last week, or adjust the system to better suit the expected four-back of Palace? Do you give the in-form and impactful Emiliano Buendía a run-out from the beginning to reward his winning goal last week, or stick with the magician that is Philippe Coutinho?
Finally, who partners Tyrone Mings in centre-back? Do you gift Calum Chambers his first start of the season after impressing since his January arrival, or allow Ezri Konsa to rekindle the partnership of the 2020/21 season?
I’ll leave this headaches to Steven Gerrard, but I am under the assumption that he’ll resort back to the 4-3-2-1 formula, bringing Bailey back into the side and having either Buendía or Coutinho on the left side of the attack. As a result, I will opt for a 1-0 away victory, with the Jamaican Leon Bailey to bag his first of the new campaign.
TEAM NEWS
MATCH PREVIEW
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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