Aston Villa have lost their last four matches and have been winless in five consecutive games. This decline in performance has come as a surprise, especially considering their strong start to the season and the fact that injuries have had minimal impact on their squad.
In their recent match against Tottenham, Villa was completely outplayed in the second half. Following that game, the Villans suffered a disappointing 0-1 loss to Brugge in the Champions League and then lost 0-2 away to Liverpool.
Throughout these matches, Villa had opportunities to score more goals, but poor execution resulted in just three goals across five games. Additionally, it has become evident that Villa have struggled with the intensity of play in the second half against nearly all of their recent opponents.
The demanding schedule, coupled with limited squad rotation, appears to have sapped the energy of Unai Emery’s players. They have struggled to balance the demands of the Premier League and the Champions League simultaneously.
Now, Villa are entering a crucial phase of the season. During this time, they will be playing important Premier League and Champions League games every three to four days. If Villa doesn’t manage their resources effectively, the season may take a turn for the worse.
Crystal Palace, despite a home victory over Tottenham at the tail end of October, have since hit a rough patch. They drew 2-2 with Wolverhampton and lost 0-2 to Fulham.
In these matches, Oliver Glasner’s team faced significant defensive problems, often due to a lack of compactness and too much space between players, particularly in the defensive line. Opponents have exploited the gaps between Palace’s defenders, penetrating the penalty area with ease and carving out high-quality scoring opportunities.
Offensively, Palace have only scored eight goals this season, and they hold the unenviable title of the Premier League’s second-worst attack. Under coach Glasner, the Eagles are struggling to create scoring opportunities and have scored seven goals fewer than their expected total.
Crystal Palace’s management is likely to appoint a new head coach soon, as the team’s performance has noticeably worsened compared to last season. Currently, Glasner’s side sits 14th in the expected points table. However, they still have time to turn things around and avoid a descent into the relegation scrap.
Bet hereAston Villa appears to be the clear favorite in this match, as Emery’s team will be eager to end their winless streak and reignite their campaign. Playing at Villa Park, they will have the home advantage and the opportunity to dictate the game’s tempo.
Villa have all the tools needed to dominate the midfield and exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. Despite Villa’s recent struggles, the hosts have shown glimpses of quality and should have enough firepower to unlock Palace’s leaky backline.
In October, Ollie Watkins scored only one goal; however, at the beginning of November, he found the net for the England national team against Greece.
His movement and ability to exploit spaces, particularly in the channels between Palace’s three central defenders, will be crucial for Villa’s attacking prospects.
Backing Watkins to score anytime could be a smart pick, as Villa will look to maximize their attacking output at Villa Park.
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