Crystal Palace and Aston Villa scrapped to a tight, tense 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.
WATCH — Full match replay
Both Brennan Johnson and Ollie Watkins went close on multiple occasions but a draw was the fair result as neither team could gain total control of the game.
Villa lost goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to injury during the game as Unai Emery will be frustrated but not devastated with the draw as his team remain in third place in the table.
With the point Oliver Glasner’s tired-looking Palace side move on to 28 for the season, while Villa move on to 43 points.
Pressure is on Johnson and Pino
Palace have paid big money for Yeremy Pino ($35 million) and Brennan Johnson ($47.1 million) and the pressure is on them to add plenty of goals and assists in the coming weeks and months. Johnson missed a big chance to give Palace the lead in the first half, while Pino hit a tame effort at Bizot in the second half when he had a clear sight of goal. The Spaniard has scored just once and added one assist in the league this season after his much-lauded arrival from Villarreal. Palace have used the huge money they received for Eberechi Eze to fund the arrival of Pino and Johnson and they have to start quickly delivering the goals that are missing from Glasner’s team this season (just 22 goals scored in 21 games) if they want to stay in the hunt for European qualification.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace head to Macclesfield in the FA Cup on Saturday, then head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, January 17. Villa head to Spurs in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, then host Everton on Sunday, January 18.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa score: 0-0
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Watkins hits the post
Villa are pushing hard to win it late on as a cross is whipped in and Watkins’ header hits the post. Villa so close to going ahead late on.
How have Palace not scored!?
A huge chance for Palace as a cross is clipped in and Bizot makes a hash of things. The ball drops down and Mitchell can’t convert, Guehi goes down as he can’t get to the ball, and then Johnson goes down and wants a penalty kick but nothing is given.
Bizot denies Pino
Pino’s low shot is saved well by Bizot, then Devenny’s rebound is blocked well by Digne. After Villa have dominated most of the second half, Palace finally have another chance.
Close for Villa!
They have started the second half well and Morgan Rogers’ cross towards Watkins is deflected towards goal but Henderson saves well with his feet, then comfortably saves the follow up.
Martinez is off at half time
Emiliano Martinez is replaced at half time with Marco Bizot coming on in his place. Martinez is in his tracksuit walking back to the Villa bench as the second half is underway. A worrying sight for Villa fans.
Half time: Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
A very even first half with a couple of half chances for either side falling to Brennan Johnson and Ollie Watkins. Not the most exciting 45.
Big chances for Johnson and Watkins
Another chance at either end with Johnson denied superbly by Martinez as he looked set to score his first goal for Palace after a lovely pass from Wharton. At the other end Watkins is in but Lacroix blocks his shot at the crucial moment.
Watkins denied, then a rash effort from Johnson
A few chances at either end with Ollie Watkins trying to dink over Dean Henderson but Palace’s goalkeeper saves well. At the other end a high ball is clipped to the back post but Brennan Johnson gets it all wrong and almost misses the ball as his volley goes wide.
Villa want a penalty, but VAR says no
John McGinn flicks the ball in the box and it hits the arm of Tyrick Mitchell. VAR checks for a penalty kick but his arm was in a natural position. Play on!
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Johnson, Pino; Mateta
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins
Crystal Palace team news, focus
Ismaila Sarr is away at AFCON, while Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Chris Richards remain out. Eddie Nketiah is out too, while both Nathaniel Clyne and Jefferson Lerma are doubts. Glasner is relying on a very small number of players and Palace have run out of steam over the festive period.
Aston Villa team news, focus
Ross Barkley, Evann Guessand, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Amadou Onana remain out, while Emery could rotate Watkins and McGinn out of the starting lineup to rest them. But they have both been in excellent form and there is very decent competition for places in midfield and attack for Villa as Emery has rotated really well and Rogers, Kamara and Tielemans have been exceptional.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa preview
Despite a recent slump in results (including a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday) Palace are still in Europe and the reigning FA Cup champions are in the hunt for European qualification. They are without a win in five, losing four in that run, as the festive fixture pile-up proved too much to handle. Oliver Glasner’s future remains uncertain but what we do know is that he’s done an incredible job with the squad at his disposal.
So too has Unai Emery, with Aston Villa hanging in the title race and they beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Saturday to bounce back from their defeat at Premier League leaders Arsenal. Villa have Ollie Watkins in superb goalscoring form and look ready to push hard for at least a top four finish this season, and also silverware in the Europa League.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa prediction
This feels like the perfect time for Villa to play a tired Palace side. Crystal Palace 1-3 Aston Villa.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Wednesday (January 7)
Venue: Selhurst Park — South London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
