Aston Villa set to face Crystal Palace in a crucial league clash at Villa Park.
As the excitement builds, Aston Villa prepares to take on Crystal Palace today at 14:00, with their sights firmly set on securing their first league win of the season. After a commendable performance last weekend, the Villans are eager to build on that momentum.
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Villa’s Solid Start to the Season
Aston Villa showcased their resilience on the road last Sunday, managing to hold Manchester United to a goalless draw at Leigh Sports Village. The team exhibited a strong defensive display, frustrating the Red Devils and coming away with a valuable point.
Anna Patten emerged as the standout player, earning the Player of the Match award for her impressive contributions that helped the side secure a well-deserved clean sheet. Villa will be looking to carry this defensive solidity into their encounter with the Eagles.
Crystal Palace’s Recent Form
Crystal Palace also shared the spoils last weekend, battling to a 1-1 draw against Everton at Selhurst Park. The Eagles took an early lead through Indiah-Paige Riley, but were unable to hold on as Everton equalised with a second-half header from Honoka Hayashi.
Both teams will be looking to clinch their first league victory of the season, making this matchup a highly anticipated clash.
Historical Context: A Look Back
Today’s match marks the first league meeting between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace since September 2019, when Villa triumphed with an emphatic 6-0 victory. The Villans will be hoping for a repeat of that dominant performance as they strive to establish themselves in the league.
Aston Villa has displayed a solid defensive record recently, keeping two clean sheets in their last four league outings. Meanwhile, Jordan Nobbs has been a consistent threat, scoring in three of her last five Women’s Super League (WSL) starts against newly promoted sides.
On the other hand, Katie Stengel of Crystal Palace has made her mark in the WSL, netting 10 goals, with six of those coming in braces. Her most recent performance at Villa Park saw her score in a thrilling 3-3 draw while playing for Liverpool.
Recap of the Last Encounter
The last time these two teams met was during the 2024/25 League Cup campaign, where Aston Villa secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Bescot Stadium. Goals from Kirsty Hanson and Katie Robinson in the latter stages of the match ensured Villa’s place at the top of Group E.
Injury Updates: Team News
In terms of team news, Aston Villa will be without Lucy Parker, who is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester United. However, Georgia Mullett has returned to training and may be available for selection today.
Jill Baijings is also making progress, having returned to individual training, while Rachel Corsie continues her recovery in the gym following knee surgery.
Player Insights: Looking Ahead
“Following the Manchester United game, we’re feeling like we’re heading in the right direction. Things are starting to click, and hopefully come Sunday we can put in a really good performance.”
– Lucy Staniforth
With both teams eager to secure their first league victory, fans can expect an exhilarating match filled with determination and skill. Will Aston Villa continue their upward trajectory, or can Crystal Palace claim a vital win? The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at Villa Park.
