An intriguing tactical battle awaits at Selhurst Park on Saturday as in-form Crystal Palace host improving Aston Villa. Palace's free-flowing attack spearheaded by Eze faces a stern test against Emery's organized Villa outfit.

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

The match will take place on Saturday, 16th September, 2023, at Villa Park, in Aston, Birmingham.

Nightmare at Anfield for Shellshocked Villa

Aston Villa endured an afternoon to forget as they were dismantled 3-0 by a ruthless Liverpool side at Anfield.

The visitors arrived on Merseyside full of confidence after back-to-back Premier League wins. But Jurgen Klopp's rampant Reds gave Villa a rude awakening with a dominant display.

Liverpool were simply irresistible, slicing through Villa at will in a one-sided demolition job. By the final whistle, the Shellshocked Villains were chasing shadows.

The signs were ominous from the outset as Darwin Nunez announced himself, rampaging through challenges before forcing Emiliano Martinez into a smart stop.

That set the tone for a crushing opening 10 minutes in which Villa barely had a touch. The Reds zipped passes around with pace and precision as Villa struggled for oxygen.

The opener arrived after just 5 minutes when Mohamed Salah's clever reverse pass freed Luis Diaz. His effort struck the post but bounced in off Matty Cash to put Villa behind.

Shellshocked by the early goal, Unai Emery's men were unable to stem the tide of red. Liverpool's second goal followed the same blueprint.

This time Nunez cannoned a shot off the upright, but Salah reacted quickest to tap home the rebound as Villa appealed in vain for offside.

By now, Liverpool were cutting through Villa like a hot knife through butter. Midfielders Thiago and Elliott pulled the strings, releasing the front three early.

Hopes of a Villa comeback were swiftly dashed after the restart as Liverpool picked up where they left off.

Whenever Villa did venture forward, they ran into a red wall. Fabinho and Thiago protected the back four with minimum fuss.

Boss Emery cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his team were given the Anfield runaround. This was a sobering reality check after Villa's promising start under the Spaniard.

The visiting supporters flooded out well before full-time as their team sank without trace. After the match, Emery lambasted his player's weak mentality and lack of fight.

Make no mistake, Villa were complicit architects in their own downfall here. They afforded Liverpool far too much time and space all over the pitch.

The high defensive line was suicidal against the likes of Salah and Diaz. In midfield, McGinn and Ramsey were overrun by Liverpool's intensity.

With Coutinho ineffectual against his former club, creativity was sorely lacking. Watkins and Ings barely had a sniff up front as Liverpool's defense dominated.

On a damaging afternoon, only the lively Bailey emerged with any credit. The others simply failed to turn up.

This was a chastening experience that highlighted the gulf Villa must bridge. When Liverpool hit top gear, they are on another level entirely.

The contest was effectively over by halftime thanks to Liverpool's ruthless streak. Villa must learn from their Anfield annihilation.

Eze Stars as Eagles Clip Wolves' Wings

Crystal Palace put on an exhilarating attacking display to see off Wolves 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

Ebere Eze was the star of the show with a dazzling performance capped by a sublime free-kick goal as the Eagles made it back-to-back wins.

Palace executed a perfect game plan to nullify Wolves' threat while ruthlessly punishing them on the counterattack.

Manager Patrick Vieira deserves immense credit for setting up his side to not just contain Wolves, but hurt them with blistering breaks.

The returning Eze was at the heart of Palace's attacking endeavors with his nimble footwork and creative flair.

Operating between the lines, the tricky playmaker pulled the strings majestically to cement his status as Palace's conductor-in-chief.

Eze twisted and turned past bewildered Wolves shirts all afternoon, leaving scattered bodies in his wake.

The visitors simply couldn't contain his weaving runs and sharp link-up play with Zaha's replacement Michael Olise.

Palace's makeshift front two also impressed. Edouard took his goal superbly while Ayew's selfless running occupied defenders.

At the back, Guehi and Andersen handled Wolves' lone striker Fabio Silva with minimum fuss. Full backs Mitchell and Ward provided width and an outlet going forward.

After a cagey opening, the game sparked into life when Eze's mazy dribble forced a dubious VAR penalty check. While no spot-kick was given, it shook Palace into action.

The opener arrived on 56 minutes when Eze's trickery and burst into the box caused chaos. His blocked shot fell kindly for Edouard to slot home the rebound.

Stung into action, Wolves quickly equalized through Hwang Hee-Chan as Palace's set piece marking failed them.

But going behind only ignited the hosts. Eze soon had them back in front with a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner.

From there, Palace's pace on the counter could have extended the lead. Only a fine stop denied Ayew's piledriver as Wolves were left chasing shadows.

The Eagles comfortably saw out victory as Eze took a well-deserved ovation when substituted late on.

Make no mistake, this exciting young Palace side is now a match for any team on their day.

With an embarrassment of creative riches like Eze and Olise, they pose a major threat going forward supplemented by the grit to grind out results.

On this evidence, a top-half finish looks well within their capabilities if Vieira can keep them playing at this high level consistently.

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa: Emiliano Martínez, Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby, Emiliano Buendía, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins.

Crystal Palace: Sam Johnstone, Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guéhi, Joachim Andersen, Joel Ward, Jeffrey Schlupp, Cheick Doucouré, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, Odsonne Edouard, Michael Olise.

Key Battles

Eze vs Luiz - Palace's main creative threat takes on Villa's midfield enforcer

Guehi vs Watkins - Young English center-backs clash as Villa's focal point meets Palace's defensive rock

Olise vs Digne - Tricky wingers who can unlock defenses seek to make the difference