Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

Selhurst Park forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking Premier League final-day clash between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. 

Before Oliver Glasner’s arrival in late February, Crystal Palace seemed destined for a season-long fight against the drop. However, the Austrian manager has spectacularly turned the Eagles’ fortunes around, bringing them on the cusp of a first top-half finish in the Premier League since 2014/15. Buoyed by a six-game unbeaten league run (W5, D1), Glasner’s men return to Selhurst Park, where they last thumped Manchester United 4-0, looking to add to last weekend’s 3-1 walloping of Wolverhampton. Indeed, Palace have been too hot to handle on their home ground lately, winning three consecutive matches at this stadium by a combined score of 11-2, with each of those triumphs coming against current top-half sides. This game should be another day in the office for Palace as they’ve beaten Aston Villa in four of their last five home H2Hs (L1).

Despite suffering a shock Europa Conference League semi-final exit at the hands of Olympiacos, Aston Villa take this trip in a celebratory mood after securing the Champions League qualification for the first time in 41 years. Unai Emery waxed lyrical about his side’s historic achievement, but he would appreciate a victorious finish to the season after overseeing a five-game winless run in all competitions (D2, L3). Worryingly for the Spaniard, his men carry a three-game losing away streak into this trip, failing to score on their last two road trips. Ending that record with a win would see the Lions complete only their second league double over Palace following a 3-1 victory in September’s reverse fixture.