Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
The FA Cup so often gets this SBOTOP observer excited and, with semi-final weekend on the horizon, this is no different.
In fact, for two clubs who crave success, we can reasonably expect FA Cup 2025 highlights this weekend.
But will it be Crystal Palace or Aston Villa who triumph as the showpiece of the season looms even nearer?
Talking Points
Both sides come into this tie on the back of difficult midweek league assignments.
Villa were visibly deflated by their last gasp defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday night – a result which leaves them on the fringes of the Champions League chase and a top five place out of their hands.
Fatigue would be a genuine excuse for a squad which has been stretched to the limit as they have juggled domestic and European exertions this season.
Yet manager Unai Emery has shaped a squad which can compete with the best, strengthened by some smart moves in the January transfer window, most notably the loan signings of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford once the Old Trafford exit door opened.
Their Champions League efforts, in particular, have impressed and they gave Paris St Germain an almighty scare in the last eight.
For now, though, attention turns to Wembley and a chance to reach the FA Cup Final for the first time in a decade and only the second time this century.
For Unai Emery to lead his men out at the national stadium in the final of the competition they last won in 1957 would be a wonderful sight and reward for the superb job he has overseen over the past two and a half years.
Standing in their way on Saturday are Palace, defeated finalists in 2016 and a team which can upset any opponent on their day.
A failure to keep hold of influential players last summer, such as Michael Olise (now at Bayern Munich), has been telling and they have struggled to produce consistent enough displays over the course of the campaign.
However, the club held firm over captain Marc Guehi, despite reportedly receiving a number of bids from Newcastle United, and Oliver Glasner has proved a popular choice of boss.
In midweek, Glasner stuck with his tried n’ tested 3-4-2-1 formation which has brought Palace some excellent results this season, though he did leave top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta on the bench, presumably with this tie in mind.
He came on to score the equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal which will give them room for optimism, although they will have to defend better than they did in North London.
If Villa can keep him quiet, they will be confident of progressing. If not, it could well be the Eagles’ day.
History
There is an irony that the first ever meetings between these two clubs came in the FA Cup.
A third round tie in February 1913 saw Villa romp to a 5-0 win at Villa Park with Joe Bache, future Man Utd chairman Harold Halse (two) and Clem Stephenson (two) the goal-getters.
Believe it or not, it was 49 years until they met again at the same stage of the competition in January 1962.
This time it was a lot closer but Villa still won the day, edging home a seven-goal contest with Harry Burrows (two), Derek Dougan and Peter McParland finding the net.
Their very first league meeting, in Division Two, five years later, went the way of the Eagles who were 1-0 winners in the Midlands.
Overall, Villa have 23 successes, there have been 17 Palace victories and 16 draws.
This will be the fourth meeting this term.
In October, Palace won a League Cup tie at Villa Park, thanks to goals from
Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada. Jhon Duran netted for Villa.
When they locked horns again less than a month later at Villa Park, the sides shared four goals with Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley on target for the home team and Ismaila Sarr and Justin Devenny scoring for the visitors.
Palace then turned on the style at Selhurst Park in late February when Sarr scored twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Mateta and Eddie Nketiah.
Morgan Rogers grabbed the Villa consolation.
Betting Tip
Our FA Cup 2025 betting odds lean towards Villa who are priced 1X2 @ 2.07 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.93, while Palace are on offer 1X2 @ 3.21, as well as Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.97 and 0.00 @ 2.44.
If you expect a re-run of their League Cup meeting in October, then the Eagles are priced @ 11.50 with Correct Score 1-2, or how about another 2-2 draw after 90 minutes which is on offer @ 15.00.
These two sides like to attack and have plenty of attacking talent which will suit the wide open spaces of Wembley and I have considered opting for over 2.50 goals @ 2.00, total goal 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 3.43.
I do expect a very tight affair, though, with just one goal between the sides and it could be a low scoring encounter as a result. If you agree, total goal 0-1 @ 3.04 could well appeal.
All in all, I don’t see Villa playing Palace four times in one season without a victory and I am edging towards them with a *** tip of Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 5.30 (although played on a neutral ground, Villa are the home team as far as this tie is concerned).
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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