Aston Villa

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"This point is a very good point," said Unai Emery after Aston Villa and Crystal Palace battled each other, sometimes almost literally, to a standstill on Wednesday night.

"It's not enough, we are ambitious and we wanted to win, but I think the team showed the mentality we are building."

Not enough in the context of trying to chase down Arsenal, perhaps, but a solid draw against a team that have caused Villa so many problems in recent years was no calamity.

Villa remain, although the outsiders of three, still close enough to be credible title contenders.

More important for their strategic future is the gap between themselves and the likely cut-off for Champions League qualification, now standing at about 10 points depending on how many spaces England are allocated in next season's tournament. The realistic chance to win the Europa League also gives Villa a second shot at that target. Achieving it by either means would make this season successful.

Villa's current position is similar to the same stage two seasons ago. After 21 games in 2024 they were on 43 points, five off the lead, and looking good in a European tournament, then the Conference League.

That season ended successfully with Champions League qualification, despite Villa looking exhausted by the end of April. They had done enough despite winning none of their last four games, but lost in the Conference semi-final to an Olympiacos side they might well have outmatched if fresher.

Villa's squad now looks both better and deeper than it did at that time, although still perhaps vulnerable to a couple of injuries to key players in certain positions. The reappearance of Pau Torres on the teamsheet on Wednesday night was welcome. Emery and his staff have again proved their ability to marshal their resources through an intense workload over recent months, but his choices for the FA Cup tie at Tottenham on Saturday (17:45 GMT) will be instructive.

"We have players wishing to play," said Emery after the Palace game, "and we are still building the team and our structure and how we can be competitive for the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League."

It may appear the clear third priority for now, but their fans ache to see Villa turn potential into a real trophy and anyone hearing from Emery after previous FA Cup defeats - like last year's semi-final - can have no doubt how hard he takes a loss in any context.

Whoever he selects, Villa will be in it to win it.

Listen to full commentary of Tottenham v Aston Villa at 17:45 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Tresbon: Palace down to the bare bones but it's the first time in weeks a team hasn't overrun us in the final 20 minutes. Perhaps, the curse of Euro Thursdays is hitting Villa too. Jaydee Canvot came of age here - he reads the game very well.

Robert: I felt this draw was like a victory against high-flying Villa! Half of our squad are missing through injury and yet we hung on to get this valuable point!

Phil: Not classic Palace but a very well-earned point on the back of a very, very difficult period. The FA Cup fixture on Saturday and then Oliver Glasner will have time to get players fit and hopefully some new players in so they can press on for the second half of the season.

Ann: With so many matches coming thick and fast, the players must be finding it really difficult both mentally and physically to be prepared with such a small squad.

Villa fans

Prit: Draw was a fair result, especially as Villa couldn't make their pressure in the first half count. We looked tired in the second half and the midfield was running on empty. Palace away is always a difficult game for us so if we can't win it then let's take a draw and move on to the next game.

Toppy: Overall, a fair result. In the first half, we looked in control but lost our way in the second. Palace looked much more threatening after the break, and it became one of those games that could have gone either way. On the plus side, we didn't lose to our bogey team, kept a clean sheet, and our rivals dropped points. However, Jadon Sancho doesn't look great, and some of our players need to practice their shooting. Hopefully, Unai Emery can find some attacking reinforcements this January too.

Matt: What have I just witnessed? Where was the urgency? The press? Unbelievable. A weakened, vulnerable and out-of-sorts Palace were there for the taking. Opportunity missed.

Keith: The performance from Villa was OK, but Palace made it difficult. As always, we could have won the game, but we were not clinical in front of goal. But again, a clean sheet and a point is always welcome. Jadon Sancho should never have started - he is an expensive liability and should be returned to Man Utd as soon as possible.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Hear more from Emery on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Aston Villa boss Unai Emery remains without a victory against Oliver Glasner in seven top-flight games (D2 L5), his worst winless record against any manager.

• Villa's run of 10 Premier League games in which they scored came to an end, with them drawing a blank for the first time since a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in November.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Before Wednesday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace, Villa boss Unai Emery spoke of the difficulty of facing Palace at Selhurst Park, but he will have been disappointed not to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.

Ollie Watkins would have backed himself to score against a tired and threadbare Palace defence, especially given he had scored four goals in his previous three outings.

But the England striker was frustrated by saves, blocks and the woodwork despite taking four shots.

Even after Palace enjoyed a spell of dominance, Villa could and perhaps should have won it, but their attackers lacked the kind of composure they have shown buckets of in front of goal this term.

Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Brighton on Wednesday meant a Villa win would have sent them second in the table, but a draw leaves the two closest title challengers to Arsenal level on 43 points and five points off the pace.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner is forced into making two changes to the Crystal Palace side that lost to Newcastle on Sunday.

Jefferson Lerma (concussion) and Nathaniel Clyne (adductor) join the club's growing injury list, and are placed by Jaydee Canvot and Justin Devenny.

Chris Richards returns but is only fit enough for the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi, Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Uche, Sosa, Richards, Rodney, King, Benamar, Casey, Drakes-Thomas.

Unai Emery also makes two changes following Aston Villa's defeat of Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Lucas Digne replaces Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Jadon Sancho starts on the wing in place of Emiliano Buendia.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Buendia, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba, Maatsen, Bogarde, Hemmings.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Crystal Palace have only earned one point from their past five league games but it is arguably visitors Aston Villa who will approach Wednesday's meeting with greater trepidation, despite being third in the table.

Palace's favourite opponents

If any fixture is going to help Crystal Palace rediscover their mojo, it's this one. Under Oliver Glasner, they have been Aston Villa's kryptonite – unbeaten in all six meetings, winning five and with an aggregate scoreline of 19-4 in their favour.

That run includes 5-0 and 4-1 home league wins and a rampant 3-0 victory in last season's FA Cup semi-final en route to lifting the trophy for the first time. Palace are also the only visiting team to win at Villa Park in the past 41 attempts, doing so twice – first in the EFL Cup in October 2024 and then by a 3-0 scoreline in the Premier League last August.

It is the Eagles' longest active streak without defeat against any top-flight opponent and just one shy of their historical best of seven games, achieved most recently against Brighton in 2023.

It is also the most matches in which Glasner – a potential candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim at Manchester United – has faced another manager without losing, while it is also the longest streak Unai Emery has ever endured against another manager without winning.

"How Villa play fits us perfect," Glasner said last season. The Austrian's wing-back system and pressing style has been a stylistic nightmare for Villa's typically narrow shape and patient build-up.

Emery, renowned for his tactical acumen, has so far been unable to find the answers. For last season's fixture at Selhurst Park, he switched to a 3-4-3 formation to match the Eagles but reverted to a back four at half time. Palace won 4-1.

Aston Villa may sense that this time could be different. Palace are winless in their past seven games and their lengthy list of absentees includes Ismaila Sarr, Villa's nemesis with eight career goals and three assists against them from just seven starts. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has also haunted Aston Villa in recent years, has only scored once in his past seven appearances.

Resurgent Watkins

In contrast, Villa striker Ollie Watkins has rediscovered his form after what he admits, with some understatement, was "a slow start" to the season.

The 30-year-old's superb strike from outside the penalty area against Nottingham Forest on Saturday means he has scored in three successive Villa games for the first time in 21 months. His tally of six Premier League goals since the start of December is only matched by Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds.

Watkins has been nursing a long-term knee issue but looks noticeably sharper of late as his confidence returns. He is shooting far more regularly – and accurately – too, and converting a much higher percentage of his chances.

The wheels have come off a bit at Crystal Palace, who have picked up only one point from their past five games.

Palace look stretched, even after the arrival of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham, and I have got massive sympathy for their manager Oliver Glasner.

Whatever the reasons, their results have dropped off. Maybe they will back Glasner more in the transfer market this month, but it certainly feels to me like they need some fresh legs.

Palace did a number on Aston Villa last season, knocking them out of both domestic cups as well as hammering them 4-1 at Selhurst Park, and they also beat them 3-0 at Villa Park in August.

I don't see Villa losing this time, however. The Eagles are flagging, while Unai Emery's side are playing with so much confidence.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed both Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are "close" but he will decide after Tuesday's training session whether they will be available. However, Ross Barkley, Evann Guessand and Amadou Onana are all out of this match.

• The Villa boss revealed he called Vitor Lindelof's former team-mate Juan Mata before signing the defender and, on his performances so far, explained: "Everything he told me, now we are watching it. Fantastic guy, very professional and respectful."

• He continued: "He was being passionate and he was adapting to play on the right side, and when we needed him because we had those two injuries - Tyrone [Mings] and Pau [Torres] - he played in the level we expected. I am so happy how he's helping us and I told him, 'you set the level here, now you can't get under this level'."

• Asked whether he had any updates on the transfer window and the type of player they are targeting, he responded: "It is not the day to speak about it. No, and I can't because I don't have some news to tell you."

• He insisted the January window was not a distraction and they are "focused" and "alert" in it.

• Emery feels his own side are "in good form" but recognises the "difficulties" they will face from the "challenge" of facing Palace at Selhurst Park.

• On Villa's poor recent record against the Eagles, he added: "They're a team normally you need to adapt [to] because the tactics are strong. They have good players, good position, different, and we must adapt to them and compete."

Hear more from Emery on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday saw a toe-to-toe battle between Aston Villa and Arsenal, even though they were playing 170 miles, and starting five hours, apart.

You could argue that Villa's was the most impressive win, they were in control against Nottingham Forest after Ollie Watkins' rocket to put them ahead on the stroke of half-time.

There were many similarities with the ties. Battling Bournemouth ensured Arsenal did not have it all their own way until Declan Rice scored twice from midfield.

After that it was never really in doubt. Villa also relied on their own marauding box-to-box midfielder, John McGinn, to score a couple to secure the points for Villa.

You can sometimes gauge teams by how many players the opposition would want in their line-up in place of who they have already.

Arsenal would not swap many with Villa. Would Mikel Arteta take McGinn to replace Rice? Probably not, though as a Scot it pains me to say so.

Morgan Rogers or Eberechi Eze would be a tough call, but there is one player that Arsenal would definitely prefer and that is Watkins instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

With six goals in his past seven games, Watkins is the one player Arsenal would not only want but also maybe fear a little if he keeps scoring as the season progresses.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Hannah Gowen
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa will have financial restrictions again this January, limiting their ability to spend on both transfer fees and wages, but now is not the time to worry about tightened purse strings.

After all, Villa are joint second in the Premier League through 20 games, despite having one of the lowest net spends on transfers in the league since Unai Emery took charge.

The midfield three on Saturday against Nottingham Forest of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara cost a total of £2.5m. These three players played a huge role, with two goals from McGinn, an incredible 50 final-third passes completed by Tielemans, and countless tackles and duels won by Kamara.

Of course, in the top flight, squad investment often equals better footballing results. But when comparing the hundreds of millions spent by the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea, it highlights just how shrewd Villa have been in their business, as well as the beauty of the free market.

As BBC Sport's Nick Mashiter wrote last week, Kamara is at the heart of Villa's success - and the same can be said for Tielemans. Even Morgan Rogers, now a starter for England, was snapped up for an initial fee of £8m - a measly sum when considering his quality.

The core of this Villa team is stacked with value-for-money players who have developed under Emery and provided a consistency that perhaps would not have been achieved with a haul of imports that cost multi-millions.

While there is no doubt Emery would love a bigger budget to play with, Villa should feel proud that they are competing with giants at the top of the league with a squad that revolves around bargain signings.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Young Aston Villa striker Rory Wilson is attracting European interest this month.

The forward, who turned 20 on Monday, is expected to go out on loan to continue his development.

Clubs in the EFL are also keen on taking the Scotland Under-21 striker but if a move does not happen, he will continue at Villa, where he has been training with Unai Emery's senior squad on a regular basis.

However, a loan is seen as the next step for a player who joined Villa at 16 in 2022 from Rangers for £350,000 and signed his first professional contract six months later. He is yet to make a senior appearance for the club.

After protracted contract talks, last April Villa made him one of the highest earners in the academy when he signed a new deal, fending off interest from clubs including Bayer Leverkusen.

Former president of football operations Monchi, who left in September, and head of football operations Damian Vidagany oversaw the contract talks.

Vidagany has also held a constant interest in his development while Roberto Olabe, who replaced Monchi, has been impressed and views Wilson as a late developer like Ollie Watkins.

That contract came after he scored 46 goals in 52 games for club and country in 2023-24 while he also scored Villa's first ever goal in the Uefa Youth League against Young Boys.

An ankle injury kept him out for the majority of last year but he returned in September and a hat-trick against Skenderbeu in the Uefa Youth League followed in November.

Now a two-time Scotland Under-21 international, Wilson has seven goals in 11 games this season.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Sam: Solid response to the Arsenal game. McGinn leading in attitude and performance and everyone to a man lifted their game. Great to see Rogers and Watkins linking up again. If they can keep finding one another in the run-in then we'll hopefully stay on Arsenal and Manchester City's tails all the way to May.

Mike: A true team performance with everyone fully contributing and exactly what we needed after the last game. Terrific goals from Watkins and McGinn and decent saves when needed from Martinez at the other end. I don't want to tempt fate but my gut feeling is that a top-four finish is looking a reasonable expectation.

Matt: Not losing the momentum we've created after the result against Arsenal was key to making sure our season didn't fade. Unai is too smart to allow that to happen. Huge three points.

Richard: Villa seem to have a knack of winning games in second gear. Hopefully we will change it up a gear occasionally and really thump the opposition. Forest were dire, particularly in the first half. Good to see Watkins score again. McGinn scored two great goals. Kamara and Tielemans controlled the midfield. All part of Emery's master plan. UTV.

Forest fans

Steve: Another poor display, mainly because of a loss of concentration, which is unacceptable and quickly punished in the Premier League. As for Dyche's comments - not sure which game he's been watching!

Sherman: We hit the self-destruct button again and were lucky that other results went our way. A win against West Ham is now non-negotiable. We desperately need a striker if we are to pull clear of trouble. It was great to see Aina back but my nerves are shredded.

Malcolm: I played amateur football for 40 years mostly at a decent level and I can assure you I didn't make basic mistakes like Forest are making.

Sean: Defeat was expected in all honesty considering Villa's home form. It doesn't make it any less disappointing. John Victor summed up Forest lately in that moment of madness for the third, but hopefully his injury is not too bad. We are clearly missing Sangare on international duty, and next game is absolutely crucial.

Egypt winger Omar Marmoush, 26, is attracting interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham but wants to stay and fight for his place at Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Alan Shearer and Jermain Defo join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-0 Burnley

• Wolves 3-0 West Ham

• Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Ollie Watkins was being written off by some earlier in the season.

The striker was left out of Thomas Tuchel's last England squad in November, having previously been forced to withdraw from the October squad with injury.

His form in the first half of the season had seen, justifiable, questions asked over whether he would make the plane for the summer's World Cup.

One goal in his first 19 games was not good enough from someone who has always hit double figures since joining from Brentford in 2020.

But with six goals in his last eight games, including one against Nottingham Forest on his 250th Villa appearance, the 30-year-old is fighting back.

His link up with Morgan Rogers was also evident again, Rogers teeing Watkins up for his first-half opener, with the pair combining for 10 Premier League goals since the start of last season, two more than any other duo.

With Evann Guessand on duty with Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations and the goals slowly drying up for Donyell Malen, Villa needed Watkins to find his form again.

It has returned in style, with doubles against Brighton and Chelsea helping to shoot Villa up to their lofty position in the table.