Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will go head-to-head in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium, with both sides looking to claim a surprise place in the final next month.
Oliver Glasner’s side claimed a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night in their last outing following two heavy defeats prior, while Unai Emery’s side suffered a late defeat to Man City in midweek in the Premier League.
Both sides are in a good position with injuries which could leave the managers with some big decisions to make, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the teams to line up.
Crystal Palace Team News
Mateta pushing to return
Glasner made some changes for the midweek game to hand some key players a rest, but Jean-Philippe Mateta came off the bench to score the equaliser and will be hoping to return to the starting lineup at Wembley.
Chris Richards is available following suspension and should return in defence, while Ben Chilwell will be hopeful of returning from illness to be in the squad. Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad remain long-term absentees.
|
Crystal Palace Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Ben Chilwell |
Illness |
26/04/2025 |
|
Cheick Doucoure |
Knee |
01/06/2025 |
|
Chadi Riad |
Knee |
01/01/2026 |
Glasner Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Glasner shared an update on the squad ahead of the game.
“Ben Chilwell is back and fit [after his illness]. So, we have everyone available. Everyone is in a good mood and looking forward to it.
“Of course, playing a semi-final is always great. We’ve done really well in the cup competition until now.
“It’s a huge game at Wembley, we’re looking forward to it and the goal is to win tomorrow and to go through to the final.
“They (Aston Villa) are in great shape – they have eight wins out of the last ten. It’s a game… I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. But we’re ready.”
Crystal Palace Predicted XI
Hughes and Wharton to start
- Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
- Crystal Palace Predicted Substitutes: Turner (GK), Chilwell (DEF), Clyne (DEF), Devenny (MID), Kamada (MID), Lerma (MID), Esse (FWD), Franca (FWD), Nketiah (FWD).
Glasner has most certainly got a preferred starting lineup that he goes too and he is likely to return to it for this huge game, meaning Will Hughes, Ismaila Sarr and Mateta all come into the side.
That should see £345,000-a-week trio Chilwell, Nketiah and Kamada all on the bench to provide added depth and options.
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Aston Villa Team News
Emery has a fully fit squad
Aston Villa have a fully fit squad to choose from for the FA Cup semi-final clash, but Emery has some big decisions to make with what team he goes for.
Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins are battling for the starting striker spot currently while Pau Torres, Axel Disasi and Tyrone Mings all want to partner Ezri Konsa in defence.
|
Aston Villa Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Emery Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Emery shared an update ahead of the game.
“Rotation is not because you’re playing one match after, it’s because you’re playing one match before, because some players are tired or maybe got injured.
“We played a really hard match on Tuesday and did very good work there, but after this match the first thing was about how the players are for the selection of the starting XI.
“Tomorrow is a match that we will need the starting XI and players on the bench to be ready to play.
“We’re ready for 90 minutes, extra-time and a penalty shootout. We’re ready to play a match with every player that is available for tomorrow.”
Aston Villa Predicted XI
Rashford to get the nod
- Aston Villa Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Rashford.
- Aston Villa Predicted Substitutes: Olsen (GK), Mings (DEF), Disasi (DEF), Maatsen (DEF), Onana (MID), Barkley (MID), Malen (FWD), Asensio (FWD), Watkins (FWD).
Emery is likely to go with what he considers to be his strongest side right now, which means Rashford should continue to lead the line after his fine performance in midweek against Man City.
£280,000-a-week duo Malen and Onana are likely to be benched as a result too, while Watkins must also have to deal with being sidelined.
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