Line-up confirmed Crystal Palace x Aston Villa in decisive game for the Premier League

Crystal Palace hosts Aston Villa this Wednesday, January 7th, at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Selhurst Park, at Londres, for the 21st round of Premier League. The team coached by Oliver Glasner announced the starting lineup in a 3-4-2-1 formation, highlighting the return of some players and adaptations due to injuries. The clash marks the start of the 2026 calendar for both teams in the English competition.

The home team occupies 14th place with 27 points, coming from a recent winless streak. Já the visitors, led by Unai Emery, are in third place with 42 points and are looking to maintain pressure on the leaders. Referee Andy Madley referees the match, which will be broadcast live on Brasil by Disney+.

The Crystal Palace lineup features Dean Henderson in goal, with a defense formed by Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guéhi. In the middle, Justin Devenny, Adam Wharton and Will Hughes complete the line, while Tyrick Mitchell acts on the left. In attack, Brennan Johnson and Yéremy Pino support Jean-Philippe Mateta.

• Goalkeeper:Dean Henderson
• Defenders: Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi (captain)
• Midfielders: Justin Devenny, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes, Tyrick Mitchell
• Attackers: Brennan Johnson, Yéremy Pino, Jean-Philippe Mateta

This formation reflects the injury absences of players like Cheick Doucouré, Jefferson Lerma and Ismaila Sarr, forcing Glasner to improvise in some sectors.

Visitor training and expectations

Aston Villa enters the field with a 4-2-3-1 formation, maintaining the base that beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the previous round. Emiliano Martínez defends the goal, with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelöf and Ian Maatsen in defense. In the middle, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans form the duo, while John McGinn (captain), Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendía support Ollie Watkins in attack.

The visitors arrive motivated after nine wins in the last ten games in all competitions. Ollie Watkins is going through a great phase, with recent goals that place him as the team’s top scorer. Unai Emery seeks to exploit the opponent’s winless streak to consolidate its position in the G4.

Important absences on both sides

Injuries directly impact the coaches’ choices for this match. Crystal Palace does not have Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucouré, Eddie Nketiah, Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Muñoz, among others, which limits options in the middle and defense. Essas casualties explain the inclusion of young people like Jaydee Canvot and Justin Devenny in the main team.

In Aston Villa, absences such as Ross Barkley, Amadou Onana and Tyrone Mings force adjustments, but the deep squad allows the competitive level to be maintained. Evann Guessand is also out, reducing alternatives in the offensive sector.

Recent history of the confrontation

Crystal Palace has the advantage in recent head-to-head duels against Aston Villa. The London team won the last meeting 3-0 and remains unbeaten in the last six games against their rivals. At home, the Eagles dominate, with nine wins in 13 matches for the Premier League in the Selhurst Park.

Jean-Philippe The Frenchman seeks to repeat decisive performances to help break the current bad phase.

Position in the table and motivations

After 20 rounds, Aston Villa has 42 points, tied with second place and six behind the leader. A victory could bring them even closer to the top, repeating historic campaigns in which the club reached 45 points in the first 21 matches. The visiting team has won 13 games so far, with only four defeats.

Crystal Palace, with 27 points, is in 14th place and is coming off a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. The team has not won in seven matches in all competitions and is looking for its first home win since November. A win would lift Eagles to near the top of the table.

Stream and match details

The match takes place at 7:30 pm local time on Londres (4:30 pm on Brasília) at Selhurst Park, with a capacity for more than 25 thousand fans. No Brasil, the transmission is carried out by Disney+, the platform that holds the rights to Premier League for the season.

The game is part of the midweek round of the English championship, with several simultaneous matches. Andy Madley, referee with an average of 3.11 yellow cards per game, commands the central whistle.

Players to keep an eye on

Yéremy Pino and Brennan Johnson form a creative duo in the Crystal Palace attack, with Pino standing out in recent assists. Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the team in goals and can explore spaces in the opponent’s defense.

For Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins accumulates decisive goals and Morgan Rogers contributes with constant shots. John McGinn, captain, organizes the midfield and represents a threat from set pieces.