Thomas Tuchel could have been watching his former club Chelsea on this February evening but instead the England manager chose Selhurst Park and with Adam Wharton and Morgan Rogers in this kind of form, the German coach will feel that he glimpsed something of his new team’s future.
This was a victory built on two goals from Ismaila Sarr, on the occasion of his 27th birthday, and yet another for the great south London goal machine that is Jean-Philippe Mateta. In the performances of Wharton and Rogers, the goalscorer for Villa, and denied another by a very dubious VAR decision, Tuchel will have noted that the 21st century England generation has two more fine players.
For Unai Emery, however, it was a disastrous evening. He switched to a 3-4-3 formation, lost his goalkeeper Emi Martinez to injury at half-time and ended the game well-beaten with a fourth from substitute Eddie Nketiah – his first Premier League goal for Palace. The VAR decision to disallow Rogers’ first half goal was a pivotal moment from which Villa never quite recovered. In May, with Champions League qualification assured, Villa lost this fixture 5-0. Yet this was much more significant for their Champions League prospect this time around. This victory took Palace up to 12th, and above Tottenham.
Wharton was involved in the first three goals in what was his comeback game from injury. Rogers’ second half goal – at the time an equaliser for 1-1 – was a superb combination of the 22-year-old’s great power and twinkling toes when the ball is at his feet. Tuchel sat between his England assistant Anthony Barry and their boss, the Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, will have been impressed.
Emery punched the side of his dugout in celebration at Rogers’ goal. By the end he was distraught. His side looked very vulnerable in defence where his back line included the loanee Axel Disasi and the midfielder Lamare Bogarde. Against the speed of Eberechi Eze and Sarr – and the finishing of Mateta – they never looked comfortable.
The last time the Villa manager picked a similar 3-4-3 formation in March it prefaced a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham. But here it was again, something of a tribute to Glasner’s efforts to turn this Palace team into a low-possession, fast counter-attacking team who can be very effective on their day.
This was their day. There were two Villa first half goals disallowed, and between them a fine opportunist finish from Sarr. Sarr had followed in when Martinez had spilled Chris Richards’ header. It had been Wharton’s ball to the back post that had been headed goalwards by Richards, after the recycling of a disputed corner. The replay suggested that the referee Sam Barrott may well have erred when it came to giving the decision in Palace’s favour.
That forward line of Sarr, Eberechi Eze and current hot-streak striker Mateta got behind Villa more than once. They had three attempts on target in the first half and Martinez did notably better in the 38th minute when he reacted to save from Sarr on the end of a break and cross from Eze. This is an effective Palace midfield with the energy of Daniel Munoz and the ringcraft of Will Hughes. The Palace midfielder was finally booked with ten minutes of the first half remaining as part of his long-running battle with John McGinn.
That booking, his 11th of the season, means Glasner will be without the Englishman for two games. Hughes had to come off in the second half – but he had already had a major impact.
Jacob Ramsey was offside by a clear margin in the 26th minute when Ollie Watkins played him in. It was much closer just before half-time when Villa turned over possession and Rogers drove forward with the ball to play Watkins in down the inside left channel. It was that run from Watkins that was later judged to be minutely offside by the VAR Tim Robinson. At the time it was a fine retrieval from Watkins, too wide to shoot, who cut the ball back between two defenders to Rogers to put the ball in. There will be major questions over whether VAR got it right.
Rogers’ second half goal was exceptional, beating Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix before spinning to face goal and hitting the shot with his left foot.
Palace ran away with it in the second half. Mateta’s eighth goal of the calendar year – equalled only by Mohamed Salah - came after Palace had pressed Villa hard and Ramsey had given up possession. It was Wharton’s ball across to Eze that was moved on to Mateta for the finish. Wharton played in Munoz to cross for Sarr to finish with his right. Tyrick Mitchell crossed for Nketiah to get the fourth.
In May, with Champions League qualification assured, Villa lost this fixture 5-0. Yet this was much more significant for their Champions League prospect this time around. This victory took Palace up to 12th, and above Tottenham.
09:41 PM GMT
Tomorrow night’s games
Brentford vs Everton 7.30pm
Manchester United vs Ipswich 7.30pm
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal 7.30pm
Tottenham vs Manchester City 7.30pm
Liverpool vs Newcastle 8.15pm
09:40 PM GMT
Views from the Crystal Palace camp
09:38 PM GMT
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton speaking to TNT Sports
“A great win. The fans were unbelievable. We had to be patient. Aston Villa are a top side but we knew if we stuck to the plan and kept the intensity in the game, we would get chances.
“The big man [Jean-Philippe Mateta] and Ish [Ismaila Sarr] took their chances really well, and Eddie [Nketiah], I am buzzing for him.
“The home form has not been the best but we just go into the game with a clear mind. We know the tactics the manager has given and we just stick to the plan.”
09:32 PM GMT
Over at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are cruising towards three points at home against Southampton, leading 3-0 just shy of the hour mark. You can follow the final half an hour of that match right here.
09:31 PM GMT
Tonight’s scores
Wolves 1-2 Fulham FT
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa FT
Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth FT
09:28 PM GMT
FT at the AMEX
The final 7.30pm kick-off as come to an end and Brighton have beaten their south coast rivals 2-1.
09:28 PM GMT
FT at Selhurst Park
There is the final whistle at Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace have comfortably beaten Aston Villa 4-1.
09:26 PM GMT
FT at Molineux
The final whistle has gone and Fulham have won 2-1 at Wolves.
09:26 PM GMT
90+4 mins: Brighton 2 Bournemouth 1
Kepa is up for a late corner for the visitors and he does actually gets his head on the cross but it loops high in the air and, at the second attempt, Verbruggen gathers.
09:24 PM GMT
90+3 mins: Brighton 2 Bournemouth 1
Verbruggen parries out a cross that nearly falls straight at the feet of Evanlison but Brighton clear. Kluivert then takes on a shot from range but his effort goes just over the bar.
09:22 PM GMT
GOAL! Nketiah adds Crystal Palace’s fourth
The home fans at Selhurst Park will be going home very happy tonight! Mitchell sends the ball across the six-yard box and Nketiah has the easiest of tap-ins from no more than a couple of yards out.
09:22 PM GMT
90 mins: Crystal Palace 3 Aston Villa 1
Six added minutes at Selhurst Park.
09:21 PM GMT
90 mins: Brighton 2 Bournemouth 1
Five added minutes on the south coast.
09:21 PM GMT
90+2 mins: Wolves 1 Fulham 2
Jimenez could seal it for Fulham against his former club but he drags his effort wide from inside the penalty area.
09:19 PM GMT
90 mins: Wolves 1 Fulham 2
Wolves are running out of time at Molineux to find an equaliser against Fulham to move further away from the relegation zone. They have a series of corners just before they enter added time but they come to nothing.
Seven added minutes though at Molineux.
09:14 PM GMT
83 mins: Brighton 2 Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth have a free-kick just outside the Brighton box and Tavernier lays it across the box to Semenyo, who hits it first time but it is a fairly simple save for Verbruggen.
09:13 PM GMT
81 mins: Brighton 2 Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth are appealing for a penalty for handball but the appeals are waved away. As van Hecke tried to clear, Hill just got to it first and volleyed it into van Hecke’s arm from very close range. VAR does take a look but sticks with the original decision, which is probably the right call.
09:06 PM GMT
GOAL! Welbeck puts Brighton back ahead
Brighton have been under some pressure in this second half but they have retaken the lead. Welbeck has only recently come on and he gets on the scoresheet. He shoots from the left-hand side of the box and finds the far corner courtesy of a touch off the inside of the post. That is Welbeck’s seventh league goal of the season.
09:05 PM GMT
74 mins: Crystal Palace 3 Aston Villa 1
The home side should be 4-1 up. Mitchell is found in acres of space running into the box on the left but he ends up dragging his shot well wide of the far post when he should be putting that chance away.
09:02 PM GMT
GOAL! Sarr’s second puts Crystal Palace 3-1 up
Is that the winning goal for Crystal Palace? Munoz picks out Sarr with a cross from the right and the latter volleys side-footed into the far corner. That is a really neat finish from Sarr, who has his second of the night.
09:01 PM GMT
69 mins: Brighton 1 Bournemouth 1
Scott has a massive chance inside the Brighton penalty area to give Bournemouth the lead but his effort from around six yards out is straight at Verbruggen. He probably should have scored.
09:00 PM GMT
68 mins: Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 1
Close to an equaliser for Aston Villa. Digne’s corner on the right finds the head of Konsa, who flicks it on and his header hits the top of the bar.
Aston Villa are making a double change, bringing on their two new loan signings Asensio and Rashford.
08:56 PM GMT
64 mins: Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 1
Ramsey goes down inside the Crystal Palace box under a challenge from Munoz but referee Samuel Barrott waves those appeals away. The contact was made as Ramsey swung his leg back ready to take on a shot and made contact with Munoz. VAR does take a look but they stick with the original decision, which feels like the right call.
08:53 PM GMT
GOAL! Kluivert equalises for Bournemouth with stunning strike
What a way to equalise! Kluivert cuts in from the left and, from the edge of the box, curls one into the top corner. Verbruggen could do nothing to stop that. Stunning strike.
08:50 PM GMT
GOAL! Mateta puts Crystal Palace back ahead
Aston Villa were not level for long. The visitors lose the ball deep in their own half and Hughes plays the ball forward to Eze on the edge of the box. He goes down wanting a penalty after a push from Disasi but play is allowed to continue, which allows Mateta to take a touch and then fire a shot past Olsen to restore Crystal Palace’s lead.
Palace work the press so well - and the finish from Jean-Philippe Mateta was very assured. They moved so quickly to squeeze possession out of Jacob Ramsey. Another fine pass from Adam Wharton that went on from Eberechi Eze to Mateta for the second Palace goal. He has 25 in 40 games under Oliver Glasner.
08:50 PM GMT
59 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 1
McGinn loses the ball on halfway and Aston Villa counter. The ball is played forward to Eze, whose shot from the edge of the box is deflected behind for a corner. Before that the home side will make a change as Lerma replaces Hughes.
The corner is then sent in and it eventually comes out to Wharton on the edge of the box but he misses the target with his effort.
08:48 PM GMT
57 mins: Brighton 1 Bournemouth 0
Van Hecke is booked for a foul on Kerkez not far outside the Brighton box on the left. Kluivert sends in a delivery towards the far post but there is too much on it and the ball goes out of play for a goal-kick.
08:43 PM GMT
GOAL! Rogers brings Aston Villa level at Selhurst Park
He was denied a goal for offside in the first half but he will not be denied this time. It stems from a long ball forward by Olsen. Watkins heads on to Rogers, who heads on into the box. He then spins inside the box and shoots on the turn to give Henderson no chance of saving that. 1-1.
A sensational finish from Rogers for Villa’s equaliser - no need for VAR to intervene on this one. A splendid finish that blended power and skilful improvisation. Thomas Tuchel will like the look of the young England international. Rogers has 12 in all competitions this season.
08:42 PM GMT
50 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0
Eze is hacked down by McGinn just outside the Aston Villa box. Can Crystal Palace test Olsen, only just on for Martinez? No he cannot as his shot strikers his own teammate Sarr and goes behind for a goal-kick.
08:39 PM GMT
47 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0
Eze volleys first time from the edge of the box but he cannot keep his effort down and the shot goes over Olsen’s bar.
08:37 PM GMT
GOAL! Muniz puts Fulham back ahead
The visitors at Molineux scored right at the start of the first half and they have now scored right at the start of the second. Muniz is played in behind and lifts the ball over the onrushing Sa into the net. Really neat finish from Muniz to put Fulham back ahead.
08:36 PM GMT
Back under way
The action has resumed at the start of the second half in all three of the 7.30pm kick-offs.
Aston Villa have made a double change at the break at Selhurst Park as Bailey and Olsen are on for Garcia and Martinez. Aston Villa’s number one goalkeeper must be injured.
Bournemouth are making a half-time change on the south coast as Tavernier is on.
Emi Martinez OFF at half-time. In his place is Robin Olsen who played in goal in this fixture in May - when Palace won 5-0.
08:29 PM GMT
Tonight’s latest scores
Wolves 1-1 Fulham HT
Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa HT
Brighton 1-0 Bournemouth HT
08:27 PM GMT
HT verdict from Selhurst Park
Interesting tactical battle between the two sides. Emery has matched Glasner’s 3-4-3. Both sides have very fast-breaking forward lines who look good on the transition. Morgan Rogers’ putative 42nd minute equaliser was just fractionally ruled out for offside against Ollie Watkins. Villa have a complaint over the award of a corner in the first phase of Palace’s goal from Ismaila Sarr. Villa have had much more of the ball but Palace have looked generally solid. A booking for Will Hughes means he will have to walk a fine line in the second half. He is a key player for Palace.
08:21 PM GMT
HT at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace lead 1-0 at half time after Sarr’s goal. Aston Villa thought they had brought it level just before the break through Rogers but it was ruled out due to a Watkins offside.
08:20 PM GMT
HT at the AMEX
Pedro’s goal from the spot gives Brighton the lead at the break.
08:19 PM GMT
HT at Molineux
Fulham had taken the lead through an early Sessegnon goal but J Gomes has brought Wolves level at the break.
08:14 PM GMT
NO GOAL!
VAR takes a long look at whether Watkins was offside and he is just offside so the goal is chalked off. Crystal Palace are still 1-0 up.
08:12 PM GMT
GOAL! Rogers brings Aston Villa level at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace will rue those missed chances now. Rogers plays the through ball forward into Watkins inside the box and the latter drags it back to the former, who had made a great run into the box and comes onto the ball, hitting it first time from around six yards out to bring Aston Villa level. VAR is checking to see if Watkins was offside when Rogers played the initial ball forward...
08:10 PM GMT
40 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0
Another chance for the hosts. Sarr plays the ball across to Mateta, who takes on an effort first time from inside the box. He drags his shot wide though of the far post and will know he should have done better with that effort.
08:08 PM GMT
37 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0
Double chance for Sarr, who already has one goal to his name tonight and could have had two. Eze plays the ball across from the left-hand side of the box and picks out Sarr, whose first effort is saved by Martinez and then lifts his second shot well over the bar.
08:07 PM GMT
37 mins: Brighton 1 Bournemouth 0
Brighton hit the posts. Lamptey sends in a cross from the right and picks out Mitoma, whose volleyed shot hits the far post and comes back out.
08:05 PM GMT
35 mins: Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0
Eze takes on a shot from the edge of the Aston Villa box and it takes a deflection but Martinez makes the save.
08:04 PM GMT
34 mins: Brighton 1 Bournemouth 0
Big chance for the visitors. Semenyo is sent through on goal and probably should put the chance away but his shot is straight at Verbruggen.
07:58 PM GMT
GOAL! Sarr puts Crystal Palace ahead
The hosts lead at Selhurst Park. Wharton’s cross from the right finds the head of Richards. His header can only be parried by Martinez right into the path of Sarr, who makes no mistake from only a few yards out. VAR is going to have a look at a potential offside but it is all cleared and the goal stands. 1-0 Crystal Palace.
07:58 PM GMT
26 mins: Wolves 1 Fulham 1
Huge block from Bueno. Muniz is found in the centre of the box and the chance opens up for the Fulham striker but Bueno steps in with a crucial block.
07:56 PM GMT
26 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Aston Villa 0
Ramsey has the ball in the net at Selhurst Park but the offside flag is up. Watkins feeds the ball forward into the path of Ramsey inside the Crystal Palace box and he slides the effort under Henderson into the back of the net but he had just strayed offside.
07:55 PM GMT
23 mins: Wolves 1 Fulham 1
Traore has a chance against his former team from the right-hand side of the Wolves box but his powerful effort is straight at Sa.
07:53 PM GMT
23 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Aston Villa 0
TNT Sports cameras here at Selhurst Park have picked out Thomas Tuchel in the directors’ box. Accompanied by assistant Anthony Barry and both the pair’s direct boss - the Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham.
07:51 PM GMT
21 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Aston Villa 0
The ball is sent in from the right by Garcia and Tielemans has a great chance to head towards goal but he does not really get much contact on the header and he is annoyed at himself.
07:50 PM GMT
GOAL! J Gomes brings Wolves level
He missed a great chance just moments ago but he does not waste this opportunity. The ball is sent in from the left by Bellegarde and Semedo cannot get good contact on it. The ball comes back to J Gomes, who smashes home an effort into the top of the net. Great finish. He could not hit the target a couple of minutes ago but made no mistake with that effort. All level at Molineux.
07:47 PM GMT
16 mins: Wolves 0 Fulham 1
Good chance for the hosts. A cross is sent in from the left and flicked on to J Gomes at the back post. He takes a touch and should hit the target but lifts his shot over the bar. He knows that was a good opportunity.
07:46 PM GMT
16 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Aston Villa 0
Looks very much like Unai Emery has switched to a three man back line formation with Andres Garcia and Lucas Digne as the wingbacks. That matches up with Oliver Glasner’s favoured 3-4-3 formation. Third centre-half is Lamare Bogarde, alongside Axel Disasi and Ezri Konsa, with Tyrone Mings on the bench.
07:42 PM GMT
GOAL! Pedro puts Brighton ahead
The striker sends Kepa the wrong way and rolls into the other corner. 1-0 Brighton.
07:42 PM GMT
PENALTY BRIGHTON!
Pedro is put through on goal and takes a touch round Kepa. Pedro goes down after contact with the Bournemouth keeper and referee Michael Oliver points to the spot. From one angle it looks like Pedro has just run into Kepa but from another it looks like a penalty. VAR decides there is not enough evidence to overturn the decision. You are asking for trouble as a keeper if you come for the ball and do not get any of it. Pedro will step up to take the penalty he won for his side...
07:40 PM GMT
9 mins: Brighton 0 Bournemouth 0
Rutter has a great chance inside the Bournemouth box as Kepa failed to deal with a ball into the box but he heads wide. He should at least be hitting the target.
Not long after Mitoma has another great chance for the hosts after a great ball through by Gomez but Mitoma’s shot goes just wide of the far post.
Two chances in quick succession for the home side.
07:38 PM GMT
9 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Aston Villa 0
Thomas Tuchel is in attendance at Selhurst Park tonight and already two England defenders have been down. First it was Guehi, then Konsa, but both are back on their feet and fine to continue.
07:37 PM GMT
5 mins: Wolves 0 Fulham 1
Berge fouls Cunha just outside the Fulham box, which gives the hosts a free-kick in a great shooting position. Cunha won the free-kick and will take. His effort hits the top of a jumping wall and the hosts have a corner, which ends up with Doherty having a shot inside the penalty area but he drags his shot wide.
07:34 PM GMT
GOAL! Fulham take the lead inside 90 seconds
A very early goal at Molineux and it goes the way of the visitors. Muniz holds the ball up well on halfway and spins before laying the ball off to Pereira, whose first touch goes onto Sessegnon down the left-hand side. He charges into the box and then drives a shot across Sa into the far corner. There was a VAR check to see if Sessegnon was onside and he was, just about.
07:32 PM GMT
2 mins: Brighton 0 Bournemouth 0
Early chance for Bournemouth. Christie drives a shot goalwards from the left-hand side of the box, which forces Verbruggen into a save to his left.
07:31 PM GMT
Kick-offs
We are under way in all three 7.30pm kick-offs.
07:27 PM GMT
Kick-offs fast approaching
All the sides are out at Selhurst Park, the AMEX Stadium and Molineux and we are not far away from kick-off now.
07:22 PM GMT
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner talking to TNT Sports
07:19 PM GMT
Final preparations at Selhurst Park
07:13 PM GMT
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports
“Keep moving forward and try to make the best decisions with which players are available to play. Some might not feel 100% fit to play as well. We have had to try to get our performances collectively.
“Very difficult here. Away is always difficult and it is about challenging, how we can be consistent and compete. Crystal Palace are in good form. Tactically they are strong. I am looking forward to playing this match.”
07:07 PM GMT
Meanwhile at Stamford Bridge
Three of tonight’s matches kick off at 7.30pm but Chelsea’s home match against Southampton gets going 8.15pm. You can follow along with all the action from Stamford Bridge with our dedicated live blog.
07:03 PM GMT
Rashford on the bench for Aston Villa
06:57 PM GMT
The England manager at Selhurst Park tonight
06:52 PM GMT
Aston Villa checking in at Selhurst Park
06:49 PM GMT
Bournemouth arriving at the AMEX
06:43 PM GMT
Full team news from Molineux
Wolves name an unchanged side that claimed a 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Wolves: Sa, Doherty, Ait-Nouri, Bueno, Munetsi, Andre, Gomes, Cunha, Semedo, Toti, Bellegarde.
Substitutes: Johnstone, Traore, Strand Larson, Doyle, Sarabia, Djiga, Lima, Pond, Mane.
Fulham make five changes from Saturday’s defeat by Crystal Palace. Rodrigo Muniz, Jorge Cuenca, Andreas Pereira, Ryan Sessegnon and Issa Diop come into the starting line-up. Emile Smith Rowe is unavailable after taking a knock in the defeat to Crystal Palace.
Fulham: Leno, Andersen, Muniz, Traore, Cuenca, Berge, Pereira, Lukic, Castagne, Sessegnon, Diop.
Substitutes: Benda, Bassey, Reed, Jimenez, Cairney, Iwobi, Willian, King, Robinson.
06:40 PM GMT
Full team news from the AMEX
Brighton make two changes to the team that won 4-0 at Southampton on Saturday. Pervis Estupinan starts for the first time since January after recovering from injury and Diego Gomez also comes into the starting XI.
Brighton: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan, Baleba, Gomez, Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Rushworth, March, Gruda, Adingra, Welbeck, Ayari, Wieffer, O’Riley, Hinshelwood.
Bournemouth also make two changes to the side that started Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves. Tyler Adams replaces the suspended Illia Zabarnyi and David Brooks comes in for Marcus Tavernier.
Bournemouth: Kepa, Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez, Adams, Christie, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Ouattara.
Substitutes: Dennis, Scott, Evanilson, Tavernier, Sinisterra, Soler, Jebbison, Akinmboni, Winterburn.
06:37 PM GMT
Full team news from Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace make one change from the team that beat Fulham 2-0. Adam Wharton comes in for Jefferson Lerma.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Guehi, Lacroix, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Eze, Sarr, Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Lerma, Nketiah, Clyne, Kamada, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny, Kporha.
Aston Villa make four changes from their comeback 2-1 victory over Chelsea last weekend. Andres Garcia, Lamare Bogarde, Lucas Digne and Axel Disasi come into the starting line-up. Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio drop to the bench.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Andres Garcia, Konsa, Disasi, Bogarde, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins.
Substitutes: Olsen, Zych, Mings, Rashford, Malen, Asensio, Maatsen, Bailey, Jimoh.
06:32 PM GMT
Get your fix
06:29 PM GMT
Premier League’s nine-team race for Champions League spots predicted
Aston Villa
Biggest strength
After a busy January transfer window, Villa have real strength in depth in attack. The arrivals of Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio have provided Unai Emery with a different dynamic and more options in the final third. All three players appear to have settled in quickly, with Rashford in particular looking sharp despite his exile at Manchester United.
Biggest weakness
Villa have excelled in the Champions League this season and they will expect to progress beyond Club Brugge in the round of 16. It is no easy task to balance European commitments with Premier League duties, and this threatens to be Villa’s downfall in the race for the top five.
Only once in eight attempts this season have Villa won the league match immediately following a midweek game in the Champions League.
Fixtures
Palace (A), Brentford (A), Brighton (A), Forest (H), Southampton (A), Newcastle (H), City (A), Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Spurs (H), United (A)
Predicted finishing position: 9th
Here is Sam Dean’s assessment of Aston Villa and what the rest of the season might look like for Unai Emery’s side. Sam has been taking a look at all the sides chasing a place in next season’s Champions League.
06:25 PM GMT
Brighton arriving for south coast derby
06:17 PM GMT
Fulham team news
06:17 PM GMT
Wolves team news
06:17 PM GMT
Bournemouth team news
06:16 PM GMT
Brighton team news
06:16 PM GMT
Crystal Palace team news
06:15 PM GMT
Aston Villa team news
06:14 PM GMT
Match previews
Good evening and welcome to coverage of Premier League action on this Tuesday night. We will have you covered here with three of the four games from tonight’s action. You will also be able to follow Chelsea’s home game against Southampton in a dedicated blog later.
At Selhurst Park Crystal Palace host Aston Villa. In the reverse fixture at Villa Park back in November, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Crystal Palace, who won 2-0 at Fulham last weekend, have won five of their last six Premier League home games against Aston Villa. They are set to have an unchanged squad from their win against Fulham.
Unai Emery’s side, who sit eighth in the Premier League, came from 1-0 down to beat Chelsea 2-1 last Saturday. Tyrone Mings and Morgan Rogers both went off with injury concerns in the win over Chelsea and will be assessed ahead of tonight. Axel Disasi, who was ineligible against his parent club Chelsea, is back available.
Meanwhile at the AMEX Stadium we have a south coast derby as Brighton host Bournemouth. The hosts sit in ninth place in the Premier League and come into tonight’s match off the back of back-to-back wins, scoring seven goals against Chelsea and Southampton without conceding a goal. It has been a good response from Fabian Hurzeler’s side after a 7-0 drubbing at Nottingham Forest. The hosts are again without captain Lewis Dunk, who is out with a rib injury. Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman are doubts.
Bournemouth are in sixth, just one point outside the top four, but did lose 1-0 at home to Wolves last weekend. In the reverse fixture back in November, Brighton won 2-1 at Bournemouth thanks to goals from Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma. Illia Zabarnyi is unavailable after his red card against Wolves.
At Molineux Wolves host Fulham, with the hosts looking to pull further clear of the relegation zone. Vitor Pereira’s side won 1-0 at Bournemouth last time out and, coupled with defeats for Ipswich and Leicester at the weekend, are now five points above the relegation zone. When these sides met at Craven Cottage back in November, a Gary O’Neil-led Wolves won 4-1 courtesy of goals from Joao Gomes, Goncalo Guedes and a double from Matheus Cunha, who now has 13 league goals to his name this season. Guedes is set to miss tonight’s game with a knee injury. Emmanuel Agbadou, Rodrigo Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan will miss the game.
Fulham, who currently sit in tenth, are without Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson. They could also be without Emile Smith Rowe and Tom Cairney, who went off injured against Crystal Palace.
Kick-off at the AMEX Stadium, Selhurst Park and Molineux is at 7.30pm and team news from all those grounds will follow shortly.
