Crystal Palace

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Credit to the players for their performance and commitment. With all the circumstances, playing the most in-form team in the league and showing a game like this, I am very proud of every single player.

"We could see first half we are not full of confidence right now, but we worked into the game and second half we created some good moments.

"At the end, we had to defend a few situations and the game could have gone either way, so a draw is fair result.

"Today we had, I would say, 12 and a half outfield players available, because Chris Richards only came back yesterday. This is why we made just one substitution."

On Marc Guehi's future and Manchester City's reported interest: "If the offer would have been high enough [last summer] and the club was fine with it and Marc wanted to go, then he wouldn't be a Palace player any more.

"Last January would have been the same. Every single player has a price where a club will sell him, [especially] when you are Palace because we are not at the end of the food chain in football.

"I think Marc will stay. I'm sure our chairman will ask a very high price for him. Let's see.

"I think the fans can be calm. But you never know what can happen in football."

Did you know?

• Since their return to the Premier League in 2013-14, Crystal Palace have been involved in 41 goalless draws, more than any other side in that time.

• The Eagles had 11 shots in the game and have now hit double figures for shots without scoring in seven Premier League games this season, more than any other side.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In several recent interviews and media conferences, Oliver Glasner has mentioned that his side are fighting for their lives, and you can see his point.

With the number of players sidelined by injury and Johnson the only new arrival so far, his stretched squad simply struggle to muster the energy to go toe-to-toe with opponents.

Palace's first-half intentions were clear - stay in the match while conserving energy for a second-half assault.

To their credit, the approach almost worked. Johnson was a constant threat, and on another night the nice interplay between the new signing, Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta might have produced a goal.

"It was our 33rd game of the season and we could only make one substitution because we needed JP [Mateta] to defend set-plays," Glasner told Sky Sports.

"When I see what the players are doing, it is incredible, huge credit to them."

Marc Guehi produced another solid defensive performance, with no sense of him being distracted by transfer interest from Manchester City, but Glasner could offer no guarantee on his captain's future.

"I think Marc will stay, but if he says 'I want to leave' and a club pays massive money with five months left of his contract, then any player would leave if you are a club like Palace," Glasner said.

"We are not at the end of the food chain in football."

On this occasion Palace were not able to continue their strong form against Villa – they had won nine of their previous 13 Premier League home games against them.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner is forced into making two changes to the Crystal Palace side that lost to Newcastle on Sunday.

Jefferson Lerma (concussion) and Nathaniel Clyne (adductor) join the club's growing injury list, and are placed by Jaydee Canvot and Justin Devenny.

Chris Richards returns but is only fit enough for the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi, Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Uche, Sosa, Richards, Rodney, King, Benamar, Casey, Drakes-Thomas.

Unai Emery also makes two changes following Aston Villa's defeat of Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Lucas Digne replaces Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Jadon Sancho starts on the wing in place of Emiliano Buendia.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Buendia, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba, Maatsen, Bogarde, Hemmings.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

After boss Oliver Glasner suggested captain Marc Guehi could leave this transfer window for the right fee, we asked for your views on the defender's situation.

Here are some of your comments:

Simon: It's really down to the player. If he goes to Manchester City then he knows he is an automatic first choice for now while there are injuries. When everyone is fit, he will be rotated. I can't see him going unless City pay more than £40m. He can choose any club in the summer after the World Cup, so likely he will stay until the end of the season. We cannot adequately replace him with £25m or less for a fee. A bad deal for all if he left now.

Andrew: It's a catch-22 because we need the money, but also can't afford to lose a player - especially Guehi. We need to strengthen elsewhere on the pitch as a lack of goals is our biggest problem at the moment. So the last thing we need to do is create a gaping hole in defence. And how realistic is bringing in a quality centre-back replacement who can step into Guehi's shoes at short notice?

Colin: I think cashing in on Marc in January probably puts an end to Palace's chances of winning anything this season and/or qualifying for Europe. But I can see the club letting him go for £25m as long as we have lined up a replacement.

Rob: Will be very sad to see him go but weighing up the benefit of him being in place for another 25-30 games and going in the summer to taking a wedge of cash now, I'd opt for the latter. Has been an absolute legend for the club but same old Palace - no matter how well we do there will always be clubs with deeper pockets to poach our best players. Just have to enjoy the successes as you never know what's around the corner.

Bob: He will be a huge loss but we are not a club who can afford to give players of his quality away for nothing. If a good offer is there, Palace should take it.

Chris: The art of winning is not to lose much. Guehi is worth nothing at the end of the season, much as we like him. Take some money for him now while you can and invest in a replacement (preferably from your own academy!) Give the youngsters a chance.

David: He has made it clear that he is leaving and has been more than fair in the past so let him go and hopefully we can get a replacement with the money received rather than nothing in the summer and no money to buy a replacement. Good luck to him.

Ellie Killick
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The past few weeks have been tough for Crystal Palace fans. After such an exciting 2025, our club has once again reached an all-too-familiar crossroads.

Results have stalled, goals have dried up and performances have become uninspiring.

One player who arrived in the summer with significant excitement and expectation was Yeremy Pino. Despite some promising signs in opening games, when the moments have come for him to step up and prove his quality, his form has fallen short.

For Oliver Glasner though, the issue is not limited to one player. Palace's frontline as a whole has struggled to impose itself, particularly with the key absence of Ismaila Sarr.

Fixture congestion has also taken its toll, five goals, five points and six injuries in just seven Premier League games is far from ideal preparation for meeting a fiercely in-form Aston Villa side.

So, is it time for Glasner to take a risk and gamble on youth?

Palace's identity has long been tied to its academy. From Wilfried Zaha to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrick Mitchell to Justin Devenny, the club's most influential figures have often been homegrown.

Glasner's willingness to hand a debut to Kaden Rodney and offer minutes to 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas suggests he is a manager open to that philosophy.

After playing just seven minutes in the Premier League and one game in the Conference League, Drakes-Thomas, who has been with the club since eight years old, has already caught the eye of fans with his confidence, threat and talent.

Yet there is an obvious risk. Young players learning on the job can lead to costly mistakes, and in a season where the league table is so tight, dropped points can quickly translate into pressure.

While trusting youth does not guarantee progress, neither does clinging to the hope of improved form that never seems to arrive.

For a club built on opportunity and development, Glasner may soon need to decide whether putting trust into the youth is a gamble – or the solution.

Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View, external

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Oliver Glasner has conceded captain Marc Guehi could leave Crystal Palace for Manchester City this January.

The centre-back's contract is up in the summer and, after a failed move to Liverpool on deadline day in August, had looked likely to see out the season at Selhurst Park.

However, given City's defensive issues, they have jumped up the queue for his signature and now Glasner is publicly accepting the England defender could depart if the price is right and he wants to make the move.

So what do you think?

Get it sorted so the money can be banked and a replacement found quickly?

Or cling to Guehi until the summer to help Palace meet their hopes for this season?

Tell us here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Crystal Palace have only earned one point from their past five league games but it is arguably visitors Aston Villa who will approach Wednesday's meeting with greater trepidation, despite being third in the table.

Palace's favourite opponents

If any fixture is going to help Crystal Palace rediscover their mojo, it's this one. Under Oliver Glasner, they have been Aston Villa's kryptonite – unbeaten in all six meetings, winning five and with an aggregate scoreline of 19-4 in their favour.

That run includes 5-0 and 4-1 home league wins and a rampant 3-0 victory in last season's FA Cup semi-final en route to lifting the trophy for the first time. Palace are also the only visiting team to win at Villa Park in the past 41 attempts, doing so twice – first in the EFL Cup in October 2024 and then by a 3-0 scoreline in the Premier League last August.

It is the Eagles' longest active streak without defeat against any top-flight opponent and just one shy of their historical best of seven games, achieved most recently against Brighton in 2023.

It is also the most matches in which Glasner – a potential candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim at Manchester United – has faced another manager without losing, while it is also the longest streak Unai Emery has ever endured against another manager without winning.

"How Villa play fits us perfect," Glasner said last season. The Austrian's wing-back system and pressing style has been a stylistic nightmare for Villa's typically narrow shape and patient build-up.

Emery, renowned for his tactical acumen, has so far been unable to find the answers. For last season's fixture at Selhurst Park, he switched to a 3-4-3 formation to match the Eagles but reverted to a back four at half time. Palace won 4-1.

Aston Villa may sense that this time could be different. Palace are winless in their past seven games and their lengthy list of absentees includes Ismaila Sarr, Villa's nemesis with eight career goals and three assists against them from just seven starts. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has also haunted Aston Villa in recent years, has only scored once in his past seven appearances.

Resurgent Watkins

In contrast, Villa striker Ollie Watkins has rediscovered his form after what he admits, with some understatement, was "a slow start" to the season.

The 30-year-old's superb strike from outside the penalty area against Nottingham Forest on Saturday means he has scored in three successive Villa games for the first time in 21 months. His tally of six Premier League goals since the start of December is only matched by Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds.

Watkins has been nursing a long-term knee issue but looks noticeably sharper of late as his confidence returns. He is shooting far more regularly – and accurately – too, and converting a much higher percentage of his chances.

The wheels have come off a bit at Crystal Palace, who have picked up only one point from their past five games.

Palace look stretched, even after the arrival of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham, and I have got massive sympathy for their manager Oliver Glasner.

Whatever the reasons, their results have dropped off. Maybe they will back Glasner more in the transfer market this month, but it certainly feels to me like they need some fresh legs.

Palace did a number on Aston Villa last season, knocking them out of both domestic cups as well as hammering them 4-1 at Selhurst Park, and they also beat them 3-0 at Villa Park in August.

I don't see Villa losing this time, however. The Eagles are flagging, while Unai Emery's side are playing with so much confidence.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's game against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On being linked to the Manchester United job: "I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask me any more questions about it."

• He added: "Even if I sign a contract, you could ask me about the future. The only thing that keeps you in a job is being successful."

• Glasner confirmed Chris Richards is available but will not be able to start, with Jefferson Lerma (concussion) and Nathaniel Clyne (adductor) both ruled out.

• Midfielder Romain Esse is set to join Championship leaders Coventry on loan: "It's better for him to go on loan and get some minutes."

• Asked about his side's form, Glasner said: "Behind the wave is sunny, we are on the surface again and will dive through it."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Crystal Palace are prepared to rival West Ham to sign Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, 25, from Wolves. (Mail - subscription required), external

Oliver Glasner is likely to be Manchester United's top target to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim. The Old Trafford club's hierarchy are huge admirers of the Austrian, whose Crystal Palace contract expires in the summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Palace forward Romain Esse is set to spend the rest of the season on loan at Championship leaders Coventry City. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For Crystal Palace, it has undoubtedly been an ominous start to 2026, at least in terms of results. Both opening games this year had a similar theme, as the team's performance dropped in the final half hour.

That is not particularly surprising for a squad down to the bare bones, which was only exacerbated by Jefferson Lerma's concussion on Sunday.

The league table does not look good, given the team has dropped nine places in the six matches played over the past month, gaining only four points.

Yet, in the broader scheme of things, this is Palace's joint-second best points return after 20 matches in this era of Premier League football. Second only to Alan Pardew's sprint-start in 2015-16, which collapsed soon after.

Once we factor in the added strain of European and domestic cup matches in December, maybe we need to put a positive slant on it.

So how are we to feel about it?

Despite what cold logic may tell us in a vacuum, the outside noise and pressure are likely to build. The remainder of January's league games are challenging for a team looking to bounce back swiftly. The injury list and Ismaila Sarr's Afcon absence remain a burden, and the fresh links of Oliver Glasner to Manchester United are likely to unsettle many fans if they progress or persist – even if he sees out his contract.

Despite all of this, the club must prioritise recruitment to address squad depth issues, regardless of which manager is going to be in the dugout next season.

After all, the team will still need to find their next generation of talented players. Brennan Johnson, as a record signing, is an ambitious and proactive start and one that will hopefully aid the ailing goal tally and threat.

Palace will never be able to call on the wealth of substitutes, in all senses, that Newcastle did on Sunday. But this season is only halfway through and the squad needs help to have a fighting chance.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League match between Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Duncan: I thought it was a better performance all round after a nervous first 10 minutes. Miley and Thiaw were brilliant as usual. Tonali's passing was a bit sloppy at times, but he brought tenacity to the midfield three. Unfortunately, we look weak up front and only secured the three points with two scrappy goals. I know they all count, but they were provided by a midfielder and defender.

Graham: Overall, nervy. However, outstanding performances from Miley, Bruno and Thiaw were the highlights. Made hard work of it, but looked comfortable when we had two up.

Alex: Not many 19-year-olds can effectively run a game from full-back, let alone doing so playing out of position, having barely played the role before. Lewis Miley is some boy.

Alvin: Bruno Guimaraes dragging the team along, despite the usual wobble after taking the lead and relinquishing any remaining control in midfield. With Sven Botman and Tino Livramento back to fitness, hopefully Eddie Howe can figure out how to play when opposing teams block off the flanks. Still, a second time this season winning back-to-back games, plus a clean sheet. Onwards and upwards!

Palace fans

Martin: More defensive frailty against set-pieces, and Glasner's patience is clearly wearing thin. A growing inability to hang on to the ball for any length of time simply adds to the self-imposed pressure. Encouraging debut for Johnson, but he'll need time.

Stuart: Our biggest problem is not taking our chances. If Palace took 50% more of the chances we've had this season, we'd be title contenders. As a fan, I believe in supporting my players through thick and thin. But the erratic and sometimes timid nature of our attackers is frustrating.

Steve: It is becoming all too predictable. Missed chances. Concede set-piece goals. Lose the game. The lack of quality is very evident. Positive post-match noises will mean very little after another defeat. Once again, Mateta was clumsy and ineffective. Pino gave the ball away far too often. Johnson needs to be more assertive. The downward slide needs to be addressed before confidence is lost and the season turns into one of acute disappointment.

Rob: All the positivity of a few weeks ago has drained away. The players look physically and mentally gone. No player has regressed as far as Jean-Philippe Mateta, he looks more like the player who first joined us right now, woeful. Desperate for more fresh blood, Conor Gallagher is a must.

Real Madrid look set to rival Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. (AS - in Spanish), external

Palace have several January targets lined up, with Bayern Munich's French right-back Sacha Boey, 25, Wolves' 24-year-old Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes and Auxerre's French midfielder Kevin Danois, 21, all on their list. (Mail+ - subscription required), external

Tottenham have turned their attention to Udinese's French defender Oumar Solet, 25, but face competition from Palace and Chelsea. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Shay Given and Gary O'Neil join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

• Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland

• Everton 2-4 Brentford

• Newcastle 2-0 Crystal Palace

• Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This was ultimately a debut which ended in defeat for Crystal Palace forward Brennan Johnson.

Although Johnson only completed his £35m move from Tottenham Hotspur on Friday, it was rather telling that Glasner threw him straight in from the off at St James'.

It reflected the lack of options at his disposal but, also, his side's recent issues in front of goal.

Johnson offered a couple of glimpses of what he will offer with some neat footwork and rapid pace on the break.

One such counter saw Johnson race down the right and cut the ball back to Jean-Philippe Mateta - only for the Palace striker to see his shot blocked.

But Johnson is not going to solve Crystal Palace's issues alone, on an afternoon where the visitors mustered just a single shot on target.

How Glasner will rue Hughes' first-half miss, in particular, the midfielder somehow poking wide from close range to leave his manager with his hands on his head on the touchline.

Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports after Crystal Palace's defeat against Newcastle: "It was a good performance but in the last four defeats we lost three just from set pieces. It's not acceptable and I have to find solutions to support the players better. We can't afford to give so many goals away from set pieces. it's the reason we lost today. I was pleased with how we moved the ball and defended.

On finding those 'solutions': "We need to look at where we can improve. In second phases it's just too much. We need to do better.

On Brennan Johnson's debut: "I was pleased with his performance, you can see what he will bring to our team. The players need to get used to him and the patterns we have. It will help him to get in better situations. He was a threat. Absolutely okay for his debut after just one day of training."

Did you know?

Crystal Palace are winless in their last seven games across all competitions (D3 L4), their longest run since a run of eight matches between November and December 2023.