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Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park this Saturday, where the Villans will be playing their first Premier League game in this corner of south London since 2015.
In that fixture, a late Bakary Sako goal on the Malian’s debut helped the Eagles grab all three points, but the Villans are a much-changed outfit nowadays.
A busy summer has revamped Dean Smith’s side, and the likes of Wesley, Douglas Luiz and Bjorn Engels will undoubtedly provide a tough test for Roy Hodgson’s side who came plunging back down to earth following a 2-1 win at Old Trafford with a Carabao Cup loss to League Two Colchester.
Let’s take a look at what XI we think the former England boss will put out against the Villans…
Palace’s fairly thin squad could be pushed to its limits against Villa.
Joel Ward, Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp all missed the midweek loss to League Two Colchester through injury, which leaves Hodgson in a bit of a predicament as the trio are practically all of his recognised senior full-back options.
Against Colchester, 20-year-old academy prospect Sam Woods – a natural centre-back – had to deputise for Ward at right-back, whilst centre-midfielder Jairo Riedewald, who hadn’t played since the FA Cup win over Grimsby back in January, was forced to start at left-back.
If none of the established full-back trio regain fitness, it may have to be the inexperienced duo in the full-back positions once again against Villa.
Martin Kelly was substituted against Colchester but Hodgson said the move was intended to ensure his availability for the game against Villa, so we think he will continue alongside Gary Cahill, while the midfield trio who started the win against Manchester United should remain at the core of the XI.
In attack, Andros Townsend was dropped for that win and also missed the decisive spot kick against Colchester, so we can see him missing out again with the impressive Jordan Ayew favoured in attack alongside Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke, who was a threat in midweek and almost scored via the crossbar.
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