On Sunday, August 31, at Villa Park in Birmingham, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace in the final game that closes Matchday 3 of the 2025/26 Premier League. The home side have started the season below expectations, collecting just one point in the first two matches. What worries Emery most is the lack of goals: Villa’s attack is still stuck at zero after 180 minutes of league action, a drought that could push the club’s board to make another move in the transfer market despite the arrival of ex-Nice striker Guessand. There are even strong rumors of a possible return for Marco Asensio, a key player for the Villans in the second half of last season. If the target is to confirm at least the 6th place achieved in the 2024/25 Premier League, Watkins and his teammates need to react quickly, starting from this home clash against Palace and then using the international break to regroup around the Basque coach. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are experiencing a historic moment: in recent weeks they have won the first two trophies in their history (FA Cup and Community Shield) and, above all, qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League. It is a landmark achievement, marking the club’s first-ever participation in Europe, sealed last Thursday with a 1-0 aggregate victory in the playoff against Norwegian side Fredrikstad. Now Glasner’s men must refocus on the Premier League, where they started with two draws against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. With both sides still searching for their first win of the season and eager to avoid going into the break winless, all the ingredients are there for an intense, hard-fought, and emotionally charged match.

Aston Villa's recent form and key stats

This was certainly not the start Unai Emery had expected: in the first two rounds of the Premier League, the Villans drew 0-0 at home against Newcastle and then lost 1-0 away to Brentford. The most surprising aspect is the poor form of their attacking unit: zero goals scored so far, with both Guessand and veteran Watkins yet to find the net.

Villa Park could prove decisive in breaking the negative streak. Aston Villa have not lost there in 20 games, 14 of which in the Premier League. Last season, they had the fourth-best home record in the 2024/25 Premier League, behind Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea, collecting 40 points from 11 wins, 7 draws, and just 1 defeat.

Crystal Palace's recent form and key stats

Crystal Palace head into this match fresh from securing their place in the Europa Conference League, thanks to the 0-0 away draw against Fredrikstad on Thursday, August 28. In this early season, the Eagles have shown strong defensive solidity, conceding only one goal in their last four games across all competitions. On the flip side, their attack has not been particularly sharp, with just two goals scored by Mateta and company during the same stretch.

Oliver Glasner’s team should not be underestimated away from home: they are unbeaten in their last five away fixtures, including impressive draws against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. In the last Premier League season, Palace actually earned more points away (28 from 7 wins, 7 draws, and 5 defeats) than at home (25 points).

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction and tactical overview

The Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction from the BetMines algorithm points to a balanced match, but with the home side more likely to come away unbeaten, either with a win or a draw.

Aston Villa can take advantage of Palace’s possible fatigue after their midweek trip to Norway against Fredrikstad, which was demanding both physically and mentally. Emery’s men could therefore emerge stronger as the game goes on, especially if the Eagles start to run out of energy.

As for the head-to-head record, Aston Villa have not lost a Premier League game at Villa Park against Palace since 2013: since then, five wins and three draws for the Villans. Given the home advantage and Watkins’ determination to finally get on the scoresheet, Villa look well-placed to bounce back after the setback at Brentford.

• Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction by BetMines: Double Chance 1X with 78% probability
  
  
• Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace prediction by BetMines: Away win (2) with 23% probability

Probable lineups Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Konsa, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; Malen, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins. Coach: Unai Emery

CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-3): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Devenny. Coach: Oliver Glasner