Winless Aston Villa will look to open their account when they host Crystal Palace at Villa Park for a Premier League clash on Sunday.
The Villans’ woes continued with a disappointing 0-1 loss to Brentford last time out after starting their 2025/26 Premier League season with a goalless draw against Newcastle United. Unai Emery’s team has only collected one point so far and is currently sitting at the 17th position in the Premier League leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are no different; they are winless in their two outings as well. The Eagles have collected two points in their two matches with a goalless draw against Chelsea in their season opener and then a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. The visitors are placed just three spots above the home side on the points table.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Premier League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: USA Network
Live stream: Fubo, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App
This match is available for live TV broadcast in English language on USA Network in the United States. Streaming options are available on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace kick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at the Villa Park in Birmingham, England, and kicks off on Sunday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m. local time (BST).
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Aug. 31 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Aug. 31 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Aug. 31 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Aug. 31 | 11:00 a.m. |
Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace lineups, team news
Villa will be boosted by the return of Ezri Konsa for the clash against Crystal Palace after the defender missed the defeat to Brentford due to suspension.
Konsa’s comeback will provide stability at the back alongside Pau Torres with Emery likely to stick to his preferred 4-2-3-1 setup.
Villa will, however, remain without Kamara who is sidelined for two to three weeks with a thigh injury, while Andres Garcia Robledo and Ross Barkley are both unavailable. Emery is expected to use Amadou Onana alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield.
Lucas Digne is likely to continue in the left-back position ahead of Ian Maatsen, while in attack, Donyell Malen could make his first start of the season.
Ollie Watkins will once again lead the line, supported by John McGinn and Morgan Rogers in advanced areas.
Aston Villa predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne — Tielemans, Onana — Malen, McGinn, Rogers — Watkins
Injured: Kamara (thigh), Garcia (other), Barkley (fitness, doubt)
Suspended: None
Crystal Palace head into this meeting with a number of injury concerns and also uncertainty around the future of Marc Guehi, with the England international continuing to be linked with a move to Liverpool.
Should a sale go through before the game, changes in defence would be required with Tyrick Mitchell expected to move inside to cover at centre-back and Nathaniel Clyne an option to slot in at wing-back.
Glasner will be hoping Daichi Kamada is available to start after the midfielder’s injury sustained in the Community Shield. His recovery would give Palace a timely boost in the middle of the pitch.
David Ozoh and Reece Devenney remain young options, but the latter is the one expected to feature from the start replacing Eze.
Mateta will again lead the attack, supported by Sarr, while Daniel Munoz will provide width from wing-back.
Palace remain without Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad who are long-term absentees, while Eddie Nketiah and Caleb Kporha are also sidelined. Matheus Franca is being assessed but is not expected to play a part.
Crystal Palace predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell — Sarr, Devenny — Mateta
Injured: Doucoure (knee), Riad (knee), Nketiah (thigh), Kporha (back), Franca (adductor, doubt)
Suspended: None
Premier League fixture schedule this week
Sunday, August 31
- Brighton vs. Manchester City (9 a.m. ET)
- Nottingham Forest vs. West Ham (9 a.m. ET)
- Liverpool vs. Arsenal (11:30 a.m. ET)
- Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace (2 p.m. ET)
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