Guehi deal would be 'no-brainer' for Man City - Givenpublished at 14:39 GMT 8 January
14:39 GMT 8 January
Image source, PA Media
Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast that his former club should go all out to sign Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi this month:
"I would pay the money for him. He's a brilliant centre-half. Someone of his quality, experience and leadership - all the things you would want in a centre-half - it would be a no-brainer.
"All the top clubs are looking at him but if Manchester City can get the deal over the line, I think it would be very tempting to get him in."
Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie added:
"At the start of the season, they recruited and it hasn't really been that convincing.
"They've tried to adapt and play in a way that leaves them a little more exposed, and they have conceded a couple more goals as a result of that. But they've got to go and get someone who can be commanding."
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.
Gossip: Glasner's contract talks 'intensify'published at 07:57 GMT 8 January
07:57 GMT 8 January
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is a wanted man this month and Liverpool could be lining up a £20m move to sign the 25-year-old England international. (Mirror), external
Meanwhile, boss Oliver Glasner says he will "intensify" talks about a new deal with the club in the "next weeks" before he makes a "final decision". (Mirror), external
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 07:24 GMT 8 January
07:24 GMT 8 January
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.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa: What Glasner saidpublished at 23:29 GMT 7 January
23:29 GMT 7 January
Media caption,
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Credit to the players for their performance and commitment. With all the circumstances, playing the most in-form team in the league and showing a game like this, I am very proud of every single player.
"We could see first half we are not full of confidence right now, but we worked into the game and second half we created some good moments.
"At the end, we had to defend a few situations and the game could have gone either way, so a draw is fair result.
"Today we had, I would say, 12 and a half outfield players available, because Chris Richards only came back yesterday. This is why we made just one substitution."
On Marc Guehi's future and Manchester City'sreported interest: "If the offer would have been high enough [last summer] and the club was fine with it and Marc wanted to go, then he wouldn't be a Palace player any more.
"Last January would have been the same. Every single player has a price where a club will sell him, [especially] when you are Palace because we are not at the end of the food chain in football.
"I think Marc will stay. I'm sure our chairman will ask a very high price for him. Let's see.
"I think the fans can be calm. But you never know what can happen in football."
Did you know?
Since their return to the Premier League in 2013-14, Crystal Palace have been involved in 41 goalless draws, more than any other side in that time.
The Eagles had 11 shots in the game and have now hit double figures for shots without scoring in seven Premier League games this season, more than any other side.
Crystal Palace analysis: Spirited Eagles defy injury crisispublished at 22:36 GMT 7 January
22:36 GMT 7 January
Alex Brotherton BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
In several recent interviews and media conferences, Oliver Glasner has mentioned that his side are fighting for their lives, and you can see his point.
With the number of players sidelined by injury and Johnson the only new arrival so far, his stretched squad simply struggle to muster the energy to go toe-to-toe with opponents.
Palace's first-half intentions were clear - stay in the match while conserving energy for a second-half assault.
To their credit, the approach almost worked. Johnson was a constant threat, and on another night the nice interplay between the new signing, Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta might have produced a goal.
"It was our 33rd game of the season and we could only make one substitution because we needed JP [Mateta] to defend set-plays," Glasner told Sky Sports.
"When I see what the players are doing, it is incredible, huge credit to them."
Marc Guehi produced another solid defensive performance, with no sense of him being distracted by transfer interest from Manchester City, but Glasner could offer no guarantee on his captain's future.
"I think Marc will stay, but if he says 'I want to leave' and a club pays massive money with five months left of his contract, then any player would leave if you are a club like Palace," Glasner said.
"We are not at the end of the food chain in football."
On this occasion Palace were not able to continue their strong form against Villa – they had won nine of their previous 13 Premier League home games against them.
'Bad deal for all if leaves now' or 'take money while you can'? - fans on Guehipublished at 13:36 GMT 7 January
13:36 GMT 7 January
Image source, Getty Images
After boss Oliver Glasner suggested captain Marc Guehi could leave this transfer window for the right fee, we asked for your views on the defender's situation.
Here are some of your comments:
Simon: It's really down to the player. If he goes to Manchester City then he knows he is an automatic first choice for now while there are injuries. When everyone is fit, he will be rotated. I can't see him going unless City pay more than £40m. He can choose any club in the summer after the World Cup, so likely he will stay until the end of the season. We cannot adequately replace him with £25m or less for a fee. A bad deal for all if he left now.
Andrew: It's a catch-22 because we need the money, but also can't afford to lose a player - especially Guehi. We need to strengthen elsewhere on the pitch as a lack of goals is our biggest problem at the moment. So the last thing we need to do is create a gaping hole in defence. And how realistic is bringing in a quality centre-back replacement who can step into Guehi's shoes at short notice?
Colin: I think cashing in on Marc in January probably puts an end to Palace's chances of winning anything this season and/or qualifying for Europe. But I can see the club letting him go for £25m as long as we have lined up a replacement.
Rob: Will be very sad to see him go but weighing up the benefit of him being in place for another 25-30 games and going in the summer to taking a wedge of cash now, I'd opt for the latter. Has been an absolute legend for the club but same old Palace - no matter how well we do there will always be clubs with deeper pockets to poach our best players. Just have to enjoy the successes as you never know what's around the corner.
Bob: He will be a huge loss but we are not a club who can afford to give players of his quality away for nothing. If a good offer is there, Palace should take it.
Chris: The art of winning is not to lose much. Guehi is worth nothing at the end of the season, much as we like him. Take some money for him now while you can and invest in a replacement (preferably from your own academy!) Give the youngsters a chance.
David: He has made it clear that he is leaving and has been more than fair in the past so let him go and hopefully we can get a replacement with the money received rather than nothing in the summer and no money to buy a replacement. Good luck to him.
Would putting trust in youth be a gamble or the solution?published at 11:43 GMT 7 January
11:43 GMT 7 January
Ellie Killick Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The past few weeks have been tough for Crystal Palace fans. After such an exciting 2025, our club has once again reached an all-too-familiar crossroads.
Results have stalled, goals have dried up and performances have become uninspiring.
One player who arrived in the summer with significant excitement and expectation was Yeremy Pino. Despite some promising signs in opening games, when the moments have come for him to step up and prove his quality, his form has fallen short.
For Oliver Glasner though, the issue is not limited to one player. Palace's frontline as a whole has struggled to impose itself, particularly with the key absence of Ismaila Sarr.
Fixture congestion has also taken its toll, five goals, five points and six injuries in just seven Premier League games is far from ideal preparation for meeting a fiercely in-form Aston Villa side.
So, is it time for Glasner to take a risk and gamble on youth?
Palace's identity has long been tied to its academy. From Wilfried Zaha to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrick Mitchell to Justin Devenny, the club's most influential figures have often been homegrown.
Glasner's willingness to hand a debut to Kaden Rodney and offer minutes to 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas suggests he is a manager open to that philosophy.
After playing just seven minutes in the Premier League and one game in the Conference League, Drakes-Thomas, who has been with the club since eight years old, has already caught the eye of fans with his confidence, threat and talent.
Yet there is an obvious risk. Young players learning on the job can lead to costly mistakes, and in a season where the league table is so tight, dropped points can quickly translate into pressure.
While trusting youth does not guarantee progress, neither does clinging to the hope of improved form that never seems to arrive.
For a club built on opportunity and development, Glasner may soon need to decide whether putting trust into the youth is a gamble – or the solution.
The centre-back's contract is up in the summer and, after a failed move to Liverpool on deadline day in August, had looked likely to see out the season at Selhurst Park.
However, given City's defensive issues, they have jumped up the queue for his signature and now Glasner is publicly accepting the England defender could depart if the price is right and he wants to make the move.
So what do you think?
Get it sorted so the money can be banked and a replacement found quickly?
Or cling to Guehi until the summer to help Palace meet their hopes for this season?
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:29 GMT 7 January
09:29 GMT 7 January
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.
Sutton's predictions: Crystal Palace v Aston Villapublished at 08:34 GMT 7 January
08:34 GMT 7 January
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.
Glasner on Man Utd links, injuries and Essepublished at 15:15 GMT 6 January
15:15 GMT 6 January
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's game against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On being linked to the Manchester United job: "I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask me any more questions about it."
He added: "Even if I sign a contract, you could ask me about the future. The only thing that keeps you in a job is being successful."
Glasner confirmed Chris Richards is available but will not be able to start, with Jefferson Lerma (concussion) and Nathaniel Clyne (adductor) both ruled out.
Midfielder Romain Esse is set to join Championship leaders Coventry on loan: "It's better for him to go on loan and get some minutes."
Asked about his side's form, Glasner said: "Behind the wave is sunny, we are on the surface again and will dive through it."
'Ominous start but not surprising for a squad down to bare bones' published at 17:15 GMT 5 January
17:15 GMT 5 January
Alex Pewter Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
For Crystal Palace, it has undoubtedly been an ominous start to 2026, at least in terms of results. Both opening games this year had a similar theme, as the team's performance dropped in the final half hour.
That is not particularly surprising for a squad down to the bare bones, which was only exacerbated by Jefferson Lerma's concussion on Sunday.
The league table does not look good, given the team has dropped nine places in the six matches played over the past month, gaining only four points.
Yet, in the broader scheme of things, this is Palace's joint-second best points return after 20 matches in this era of Premier League football. Second only to Alan Pardew's sprint-start in 2015-16, which collapsed soon after.
Once we factor in the added strain of European and domestic cup matches in December, maybe we need to put a positive slant on it.
So how are we to feel about it?
Despite what cold logic may tell us in a vacuum, the outside noise and pressure are likely to build. The remainder of January's league games are challenging for a team looking to bounce back swiftly. The injury list and Ismaila Sarr's Afcon absence remain a burden, and the fresh links of Oliver Glasner to Manchester United are likely to unsettle many fans if they progress or persist – even if he sees out his contract.
Despite all of this, the club must prioritise recruitment to address squad depth issues, regardless of which manager is going to be in the dugout next season.
After all, the team will still need to find their next generation of talented players. Brennan Johnson, as a record signing, is an ambitious and proactive start and one that will hopefully aid the ailing goal tally and threat.
Palace will never be able to call on the wealth of substitutes, in all senses, that Newcastle did on Sunday. But this season is only halfway through and the squad needs help to have a fighting chance.
Image source, PA Media
