Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: Betting Odds, Lineups, Predictions, Preview

Explore our detailed preview for Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 17:15 BST match.

Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Date: Saturday 26 April 2025
Kick-off: 17:15 BST
Venue: Wembley Stadium

Aston Villa's recent transfer business has seen them build an excellent squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, with quality to hurt their opponents all over the pitch. Their English stars, including Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, are having excellent seasons and will look to drive at the Palace back three.

However, Crystal Palace are a bit of a bogey team for Unai Emery's side, with Villa failing to win in three previous meetings this season. The Eagles will likely allow Villa to have more of the ball, but will counter quickly using the wing backs and look to get the ball up to Mateta - who is having an excellent goalscoring season.

Aston Villa carry better form into this one, and with the plethora of attacking options they have at their disposal, they should have enough to edge it.

Match Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa lock horns under Wembley’s arch, chasing a coveted FA Cup final spot. The Eagles, perennial nearly-men, dream of winning their first ever major trophy, while Villa’s roaring lions eye their first piece of silverware since ’96.

Palace soared past Fulham to reach their third FA Cup semi in a decade, while Villa dispatched Preston to reach Wembley, juggling a gruelling schedule after a Champions League quarter-final exit to PSG.

Last 6 matches (all competitions):

• Draw: 2-2 vs Arsenal (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Bournemouth (H)
• Loss: 0-5 vs Newcastle (A)
• Loss: 2-5 vs Man City (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Brighton (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Southampton (A)
  

Last 6 matches (all competitions):

• Loss: 1-2 vs Man City (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Newcastle (H)
• Win: 3-2 vs PSG (H) - Champions League
• Win: 3-0 vs Southampton (A)
• Loss: 1-3 vs PSG (A) - Champions League
• Win: 2-1 vs Nottingham Forest (H)

• Win: 1-0 vs Stockport (H) (Third Round)
• Win: 2-0 vs Doncaster (A) (Fourth Round)
• Win: 3-1 vs Millwall (H) (Fifth Round)
• Win: 3-0 vs Fulham (A) (Quarter-Final)
  

• Win: 2-1 vs West Ham (H) (Third Round)
• Win: 2-1 vs Tottenham (H) (Fourth Round)
• Win: 2-0 vs Cardiff (H) (Fifth Round)
• Win: 3-0 vs Preston (A) (Quarter-Final)
  

• Crystal Palace wins: 9
• Aston Villa wins: 7
• Draws: 3

Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last four against Aston Villa, including in three meetings this season. Palace could become the first team to knock Villa out of both major domestic cup competitions in the same season since Tottenham in the 60s.

• Ben Chilwell (Illness) - Doubt
• Chadi Riad (Knee) - Out
• Cheick Doucoure (Knee) - Out
  

• Axel Disasi (Cup tied) - Out
  

Henderson; Guehi, Lacroix, Richards; Muñoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze

Palace’s 3-4-3 hinges on Eberechi Eze’s wizardry and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s aerial threat, with Daniel Muñoz bombing down the right. They’ll exploit Villa’s weary legs via quick counters, but must shore up against set-pieces, as Villa have scored 10 headed goals this season.

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Tielemans, Kamara; McGinn, Asensio, Rogers; Watkins

Villa’s 4-2-3-1 leans on Ollie Watkins’ pace and Youri Tielemans’ vision. Palace’s high line risks Watkins running riot if Guehi loses concentration.

Crystal Palace:

• Jean-Philippe Mateta: Scorer of big goals, loves a stage.
• Eberechi Eze: Assister supreme, twinkle-toes to unlock Villa.
• Marc Guéhi: Defensive rock.

Aston Villa:

• Ollie Watkins: Premier League sharpshooter, goal threat.
• Youri Tielemans: Scored vs PSG, midfield controller.
• John McGinn: Heart and soul, drives Villa’s fight.
  

Crystal Palace have reached their second semi-final in four years, while Villa play at this stage for the first time since 2015.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.