A piece of silverware will be a big target for Unai Emery and his Aston Villa side this term, and the EFL Cup could present them with their best opportunity. The Villans have avoided defeat in their last three, but their positive run of form was ended with a home draw against Bournemouth on Saturday (1-1).
Emery once again used the possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation, with Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans playing the important defensive midfield roles in front of the back four. Both players are vitally important for the West Midlands side when it comes to retaining possession of the ball and passing through the lines to open up the space for Mogan Rogers.
Villa are close to their xG expectations, achieving an xG of 13.46 from open play and scoring 13 times. Meanwhile, Villa have an xGA of 8.48 from open play, conceding a total of eight goals. Emery has no fresh injury concerns this weekend, but Tyrone Mings could make his long-awaited return from injury with a first start in the 2024-25 campaign.
The pressure on Oliver Glasner was eased on Sunday as Crystal Palace recorded their first win of the season against Tottenham. The Eagles operated a low block, playing in a defensive 3-4-2-1 formation, which was typically a back five when Spurs had possession of the ball.
However, the counter-attacking style worked to perfection, with the pace of Ibrahima Sarr and Eberechi Eze working to perfection at Selhurst Park. However, both players are unlikely to feature in Wednesday’s EFL Cup fourth-round match against Aston Villa, as they will be rested in order to be fit for more crucial Premier League fixtures.
On the other hand, Eddie Nketiah could also be handed a rare start. His pace ensures that the same counter-attacking style is likely to consider when making an Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction. But Palace will need to be more clinical based on their xG average of 8.85 this term, as they have scored just three times.
Bet hereBoth managers will make changes ahead of important league fixtures this weekend, meaning it’s harder to overlook Villa’s chances given that they have excellent depth.
Ross Barkley and John McGinn will likely operate in the defensive midfield positions, while Jhon Duran will be handed a rare start in place of John McGinn. Duran’s pace will stretch the Palace defence, posing different questions compared to a relatively straightforward win over Tottenham on Sunday.
In addition, Villa will have the benefit of home field advantage, having won five of their last six against Palace at Villa Park.
Jhon Duran has been a revelation for Aston Villa from the bench this season, netting seven goals in 13 appearances. The Colombian will be the key man for Villa when handed a rare start this week.
The 20-year-old’s pace will stretch the Palace backline, while his ability to finish chances on instinct alone will mean that the Eagles backline will not have a moment to rest.
Palace could also win more corners in this EFL Cup tie. The away side have averaged over 10.5 corners in 75% of their matches on the road, compared to 40% for Villa in home matches this season.
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