Following an impressive performance against Liverpool, Aston Villa will look to continue their good performances when they host Crystal Palace at Villa Park. Palace will be looking to build on their two consecutive victories over Southampton and Watford.
I spoke to Crystal Palace page Five Year Plan about Palaceβs season so far, hopes for next season, and Palaceβs unique transfer strategy.
UTV PODCAST X FIVE YEAR PLAN
So far this season Crystal Palace have earned a comfortable mid-table finish and managed a trip to Wembley by getting to the FA Cup semi final, how would you rate your season?
A highly as possible to be honest. There was anticipation and anxiety mixed with the excitement of Patrick Vieira’s announcement last summer (given we’d all prepared ourselves for Lucian Favre a few weeks before). So if you’d have offered any Palace fans a comfortable mid-table (and potential Top 10) finish plus an FA Cup semi-final in PV’s first season they’d have bitten your hand off. Added to that the football has aesthetically improved immeasurably and I think you can put it down as a positive season.
Five Year Plan
At the start of the season many predicted that Patrick Vieria would be the first manager sacked in the Premier League but he has proved so many doubters wrong, what are you expecting from Vieria and the squad next season?
To build on this season. Don’t get me wrong, no-one is going all Charlton and demanding European football or anything crazy, but it’s obvious there is a real opportunity to create something special at Palace at the moment. We’ve lost the fewest games ever in the Premier League I believe but have also won fewer than previous seasons; there have been a lot of draws. Turn some of those draws into wins next season (many of which we deserved this season and let slip with late equalisers) and it could be a very good season. Palace will also need to not only build on the excellent recruitment from last summer (with a right-back, striker and more midfield ammunition probably top of the list) but need to try and convince the likes of Michael Olise and possible Ebere Eze to stay as they are both attracting attention this summer. Olise is reported to be on the verge of a new contract though which is promising.
Five Year Plan
Crystal Palace’s transfer strategy over the last few years has been admirable, relying on the talents of the second division such as the arrivals of Eze and Olise; do you think the club will stick to what they’re used to or delve deeper into the European markets?
Last summer was a marker really in terms of recruitment and that model of going to the Championship to get the next up-and-coming stars has worked and I expect Palace to do similar. That said, there are reported Palace are on the verge of some European deals so it’s probably a case of getting the right sort of player rather than a certain model. They did so well last though so have set a high bar for this summer!
Five Year Plan
Finally what are your score predictions?
Two teams safe from relegation and enjoying their football, I think (and hope) this will be a fun one. I’m going for 2-2.
Five Year Plan
FORM GUIDE
PLAYER STATS
GOALS
- 13 Goals – Wilfried Zaha (CRY)
- 10 Goals – Ollie Watkins (AVL)
- 8 Goals – Conor Gallagher (AVL)
THE LAST THREE
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PLAYER STATS
ASSISTS
- 6 Assists – Emiliano BuendΓa (AVL)
- 6 Assists – Danny Ings (AVL)
- 5 Assists – Michael Olise (CRY)
PREMIER LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD
MY PREDICTION
Given how we performed against Liverpool on Tuesday, I am relatively confident going into this game. However, I am well aware that in previous seasons, we have failed to capitalise on positive performances by achieving positive results.
However, I believe that this time will be different as well as go and beat Palace emphatically 4-1 with Ings scoring a brace, Watkins and Super John McGinn scoring.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Martin Atkinson. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Players that have represented both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace include current England manager Gareth Southgate, Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Mile Jedinak
OPPOSITION FOCUS | PATRICK VIERIA
While Patrick Vieria has one of the best footballing careers in history, when it came to management, many people had reservations about the Frenchman. I’d like to look at why people questioned the former Gunner, and how Vieria has proven them wrong.
First, I’d like to examine Vieria’s managerial career to see if it plays any role in the scepticism that so many people had about Vieria and Palace. Vieira got his first taste of coaching soon after retiring as a player at Manchester City, when he agreed to manage the reserve team. Vieria moved to senior management in America with New York City (owned by the same owners as Manchester City) in 2015, where he made steady progress with the team over the course of two years.
Vieria returned to Europe and his home country of France in 2018 with Nice. Vieria helped his team improve in the league but had no impact in the cup competitions. After failing to advance out of the Europa League group stage and suffering 5 consecutive defeats, he was fired the following season.
Palace’s poor managerial record in recent years can also be blamed for the doubts regarding Vieria. Prior to Vieria, there was Hodgson, who wasn’t a bad manager for the situation that Palace was in. Before Hodgson, there is a list of managers who were unsuccessful at Palace for various reasons, including Frank De Boer, Allardyce, and Pardew, to name a few. Given those names, it’s not surprising that some people were concerned about Palace taking a chance on a relatively inexperienced manager like Vieria.
Finally, the difference in playing styles between Hodgson and Vieria may have added to the scepticism. This is due to Hodgson’s reputation for playing negatively and punishing teams on the counterattack. Vieria’s style, on the other hand, is reminiscent of his Arsenal invincibles, who were known for keeping the ball and passing through teams. Vieria, on the other hand, has successfully pushed aside any concerns about a change in playing style, as Palace have impressed this season with their style of football, which has seen creative players like Zaha, Olise, and Eze shine.
Another way Vieria has shone as a manager is his willingness to use players and improve them rather than paying exorbitant fees for already brilliant players. This has been evident not only with the like ofs Eze and Olise, who have adapted well to the Premier League, but also with talented youngsters like Tyrelk Mitchell, who has been one of Palace’s standout players this season.
Vieria’s first season in English football certainly points to many more to come, with impressive results such as draws with Arsenal and a huge three points against Manchester City standing out as his statement victories and demonstrating the positive direction that Vieria can take Palace in if given the time and funds.
LAST TIME AT VILLA PARK | ASTON VILLA 3-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
AUTHOR | ELLIS BURNETT
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive ellisburnett – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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