Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Crystal Palace today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 0 - 3 Crystal Palace FC
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
21:32Impressively securing a first Premier League win of the season, Crystal Palace continue their recent supremacy over Aston Villa, who tamely lose 3-0 to the Eagles at Villa Park. Mateta's first-half penalty put Palace on track to end their hosts' 19-match unbeaten streak on home turf, before Guehi scored a wonderful second - perhaps the captain's parting gift before leaving - and Sarr nodded home their third. It was a fully merited triumph for the visitors, who have now won five of their last six meetings with Villa, scoring 20 goals. As well as Palace played, Emery's men were truly dismal, recording an xG of 1.13 to the away side's 2.67 and rarely threatening to score. They have no goals and just one point to show from their first three matches, and they'll surely be glad to hit the international break. When Premier League football resumes in a fortnight, Aston Villa must visit in-form Everton, while Crystal Palace will host Sunderland. That's all from Birmingham today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:59FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-3 CRYSTAL PALACE
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:58With Sarr unable to continue, Palace are still a man down, but it doesn't seem to matter. Whatever Villa do today, they don't seem to have a hope of scoring.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:57Almost empty now, Villa Park is eerily quiet as Crystal Palace continue their run of dominance against Aston Villa. The hosts' 19-game unbeaten streak on home turf will soon be over.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:56Still intent on creating a fourth goal, Mitchell bursts towards the box before checking back and teeing up Pino; however, the Spanish substitute is closed down before he can shoot.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:55SAVE! There will be at least seven minutes of added time at the end of this match. In the first, Pino plays a reverse ball to fellow sub Lerma, before the latter's low shot is saved well at close range by Bizot!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:52Glasner looks on with concern as Sarr stays down hurt. It's either cramp or a muscular problem, so he may have to come off.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:51The away fans are in full voice as hundreds of home supporters stream away through the exits. It's been a dismal start to the new season by Aston Villa, while Crystal Palace are now just moments away from their first league win.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:49Slightly spoiling another productive meeting with Aston Villa, Sarr sees yellow for a clear dive. Not his finest moment.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:48Kamada also comes off, having won the penalty that put Palace in front; Clyne takes his place.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:47Three points are in the bag, so Glasner can afford to take off two key players. First, Devenny replaces opening scorer Mateta.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:45Bogarde is also sent on, as Maatsen departs.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:45With the game already lost, Emery makes his final changes: first, Malen is replaced by Digne.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:45When Watkins wins the ball back in midfield, it falls for Malen to try his luck. However, a powerful 25-yard attempt is sent high over the target. That sums up Villa's attacking attempts today.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:43Meeting Lerma's long throw, Lacroix glances on a header to the other side of the six-yard box, setting up Sarr to score.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:42GOAL!!! CRYSTAL PALACE HIT THREE! Following a long throw-in from the right, Lacroix's flicked header finds Sarr at the back post, and he duly nods past Bizot and into the back of the net! It's now 3-0 to Palace at Villa Park, and Sarr has either scored or assisted in all seven of his starts against Aston Villa across all competitions - he loves playing them!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:41Emery is perilously close to going four consecutive league games without his team scoring for the first time since 2007, when his Almeria side did so in LaLiga. Looking to the Villa bench, there are very few senior options to choose from.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:40Play is paused momentarily, as Sarr hits the deck holding his head - he was caught by Buendia. Before the medics run on, the Senegalese winger recovers and action soon resumes.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:37Villa skipper McGinn also departs, with Pau Torres sent on to replace him. Are the hosts switching to three at the back?
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:36Highlighting his lack of senior options, Emery turns to young Burrowes, who'll replace Cash on the right flank.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:36From a very tight angle on the right, Malen drives a low shot into the side-netting. That was a nice passing move by Aston Villa to open Palace up, but it was asking a lot to score from there.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:34Wearing Crystal Palace's number 10 shirt, Pino comes on for his Premier League debut. On a booking, Hughes will make way.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:34Faced with a tough task to beat Henderson with a header, Watkins can only steer his effort over the crossbar by a few inches.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:31GOAL!!! GUEHI GETS THE SECOND GOAL FOR PALACE! The Eagles' captain puts them 2-0 up at a stunned Villa Park, after initially driving forward from the back and then staying on the edge of Aston Villa's box. When he gets the ball back, he curls a beautiful finish into the top-right corner! If that's his parting gift, what a way to go out!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:30Richards carelessly gives the ball away deep inside his own half, but he quickly atones with an important block - albeit at the cost of a corner. Cash's delivery is then comfortably cleared.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:27In a 50-50 challenge, Mings catches Munoz, who stays down and calls for medical attention. He's soon back on his feet, though, with jeers from the home fans ringing in his ears.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:25More in hope than expectation, Cash drives a wayward 20-yard shot high over the crossbar. Villa now need to combine their brighter build-up play with some composure in and around Palace's box.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:23SAVE! Henderson is the hero again! Buendia feeds Rogers on the left side of the box, and the latter tries to find the bottom-left corner. Alert to the danger, Henderson is down quickly to his right and makes a smart stop!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:21Villa win a corner via Guehi's headed clearance. They've had 77% of the ball since half-time, and they're finally pinning Palace back. However, their latest set-piece comes to nothing.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:18Due to injury, Wharton must depart. Palace replace one of their top performers with Lerma.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:18SAVE! With a trademark mid-range rocket, Tielemans tests Henderson! He fires towards the top-right side of the goal, but Crystal Palace's goalkeeper parries away a dangerous swerving shot!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:16A miscue by Cash ends Villa's attack, but he's soon back on the ball and racing towards the right byline. His cross is sent towards Rogers, who topples over under a challenge from Lacroix - but the fans' shouts for a penalty are rightly ignored.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:14Fortunate not to get one for a foul on Rogers during the first half, Hughes is shown a yellow card for hauling back Tielemans by the shirt.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:13It's been a little brighter from the home side since half time, as they move the ball around a bit more purposefully. Palace don't look too concerned yet, though, as they're experts at soaking up pressure.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:09After McGinn's corner from the right side is cleared, the ball eventually ends up back at his feet. However, a second delivery into the packed penalty box is headed clear by Sarr.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:07Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:07Following a dismal first-half display, Emery makes one change. Guessand's full debut is over, and Buendia replaces him - that could see Rogers shift across to the left.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
20:00While Aston Villa are 19 games unbeaten on home turf - for now, at least - it should be remembered that Crystal Palace have not lost in 13 and have recently beaten Liverpool and Manchester City to win trophies. After a subdued start, they've grown into this game and fully merit their one-goal advantage. Can Villa muster a fightback after the break?
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:58The last away team to win a game at Villa Park - all the way back in October - Crystal Palace are on track for another success in Birmingham, leading Aston Villa 1-0 at half-time. The Eagles soaked up some mild early pressure before going in front, as Kamada lured Bizot into a desparate last-ditch challenge, winning a penalty that Mateta duly converted. There were few more chances for either side, though Henderson had to make a couple of saves - including a crucial close-range stop to deny Watkins. So, with a modest xG of 0.71 - compared to Palace's 1.72 - Villa still await their first goal of the new campaign. It's been laboured stuff from Emery's men, while Glasner will be delighted with his side.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:51HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:49Following good work in midfield by Wharton, Sarr tees up Munoz to cross from the right. However, the flying wing-back can't measure his cross and sends it straight out of play.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:48There will be a minimum of three minutes added for stoppages at the end of this first half - long enough for either side to carve out one more chance.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:46Another direct ball almost sends Rogers away down the left, and Lacroix has to move across and knock it away for a throw-in. This is a welcome change of approach by Aston Villa, who had been plodding their way around in midfield.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:45SHARP STOP! Henderson keeps Crystal Palace in front! A direct ball through the centre by McGinn opens up the visitors' defence, and Watkins is ready to pounce. He holds off Munoz, then tries to loft the ball over Henderson, who races off his line and blocks the goal-bound shot with his face!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:43Allowing Crystal Palace to drop back and get men behind the ball, Malen and Cash are too slow to combine, losing momentum in an attack down the right flank.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:41Maatsen sees off another raid by Munoz, shouldering his fellow wide man away from the ball deep inside Villa's box. It'll be a goal-kick to the home side.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:39It all seems a little deflated around Villa Park, where Palace have been perked up by their opening goal. While keeping their shape and letting the hosts have most of the ball, the Eagles are looking far more poised.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:37A superb tackle by Richards halts Guessand's latest sprint up the left flank, and Crystal Palace snuff out another tame Villa attack. The hosts have lacked any rhythm in the final third, and they're now approaching two-and-a-half league games without scoring.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:35Palace are now big favourites for victory, according to Opta's live win predictor. They've got a 54% chance of success as things stand, with Villa's hopes of a first Premier League win standing at just 19%.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:34CLOSE! Sarr almost scores! With a typical burst to the right byline, Munoz gets past his man then stands up an inviting cross to the back post. Sarr arrives with perfect timing but fails to control his close-range header - it slips wide of the left-hand post!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:32The last side to win away to Aston Villa in any competition was actually Crystal Palace, last October. They've definitely got Villa's number, and the home side's long unbeaten run at Villa Park is under serious threat.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:30With some last-ditch defending, Guehi covers across to mop up the threat of Malen, but at the cost of a corner. Richards then does well to beat Mings to the cross, and Palace ultimately clear their lines.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:28SAVE! When Watkins lays the ball off to Guessand, the latter lashes a 20-yard shot at goal, which stings the palms of Henderson. Moments later, at the other end, Bizot flies out to punch away a dangerous ball into his six-yard box.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:25Under scrutiny today as he stands in for Martinez, Bizot is booked for upending Kamada in the box.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:25For excessive celebration - kicking the corner flag after scoring - Mateta sees yellow.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:24GOAL!!! CRYSTAL PALACE LEAD! Taking his chance from the spot, Mateta sends Bizot the wrong way, slotting his penalty into the bottom-left corner! There was no saving that! Against the run of play, it's now 1-0 to Palace, with Mateta's sixth Premier League goal against Aston Villa putting the Eagles in front!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:23PENALTY FOR PALACE! Bizot trips Kamada in the box, and Crystal Palace will have a chance to score from the spot! Mateta plays through his team-mate, who is through one-on-one on Villa's goalkeeper. Then, Bizot comes out and upends the Palace playmaker!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:20Yet to make an impact today, Mateta has scored five Premier League goals in seven appearances against Aston Villa, netting with 45.5% of his attempts. Once close to signing for the Birmingham club, Sarr has either scored or assisted a goal in all six of his starts against them. Will those trends continue?
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:18For the first time, Crystal Palace are enjoying a sustained spell of possession, edging into the Aston Villa half. Their forwards - who boast a particularly good record versus Villa - have barely had a touch.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:17A brief VAR check actually examines whether Cash's yellow card should be upgraded to red, but eventually he is cleared of any further sanction. It was clumsy rather than malicious.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:15Arriving late into a tackle on Kamada, aiming to break up a counter-attack, Cash becomes the first player booked today.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:14Palace deal comfortably with both the free-kick and a subsequent corner, as two set-piece opportunities come to nothing for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:13Villa have had a 75% share of possession so far, and they'll have a chance to make that superiority pay from a left-wing free-kick. Guessand is fouled by Munoz.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:11There has been little in the way of final-third action so far, as both teams continue to feel each other out. They met four times last season - twice in the league, and in both cups - so are certainly well acquainted.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:10Palace have recorded nine clean sheets in their 17 Premier League games with a starting back three of Richards, Lacroix and Guehi. Can they add one more shut-out today, with the latter apparently set to leave?
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:07It's been a positive start for the home side, as Aston Villa push Palace back and pass patiently around the opposition half. The Eagles are happy to counter-attack, though, and will be relatively content.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:04Seconds into his first start at Villa Park, Guessand wins a corner-kick with a direct run and cross down the left. Palace clear the initial delivery behind for another corner, which Cash swings in; Tielemans peels off his marker and heads high over the top from 10 yards out.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:02Crystal Palace kick off, and we are under way at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
19:00Both teams are out on the pitch, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:55Compared to the Crystal Palace XI that sealed Conference League play-off success in midweek, Oliver Glasner makes two changes: Hughes and Mitchell both come in. Palace captain Guehi starts despite rumours of his imminent departure; new signing Yeremy Pino is named on the bench. Odsonne Edouard, Matheus Franca, Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure all feature on a long injury list.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:52With first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez absent - amid speculation of a deadline-day move to Manchester United - Aston Villa select Bizot between the posts. Ominously for the Villans, they have conceded three or more goals in half of the 10 Premier League games Martinez hasn't started since signing in 2021. Unai Emery makes five changes all told, with Konsa, Maatsen, Malen and Guessand also brought in.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:52SUBS: Walter Benitez, Jefferson Lerma, Yeremy Pino, Nathaniel Clyne, Romain Esse, Borna Sosa, Kaden Rodney, Justin Devenny, Rio Cardines.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:47CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1): Dean Henderson; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada; Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:47SUBS: Sam Proctor, Emiliano Buendia, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Lamare Bogarde, Triston Rowe, Travis Patterson, Bradley Burrowes.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:41ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Marco Bizot; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen; Youri Tielemans, John McGinn; Evann Guessand, Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:41Like their hosts, Crystal Palace will soon enter European competition - albeit the third-tier UEFA Conference League, having been demoted due to off-field matters. The FA Cup winners drew 0-0 in Norway on Thursday night, beating Fredrikstad over two legs to book their spot in the main draw of a continental competition for the very first time. However, in the Premier League, Palace have been held to draws by Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, leaving them also seeking their first top-flight win this term.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:41Four months on from their ill-fated meeting with Crystal Palace at Wembley, Aston Villa host the Eagles - their bogey team over the past two years. Villa have lost four of the sides’ last five contests while conceding 17 goals, including a painful defeat in last season’s FA Cup semi-finals. This term, the Birmingham club have started their Premier League campaign by taking just one point from games against Newcastle United and Brentford - failing to even score - so they’ll be keen to claim a first win today. Unbeaten in 19 league games on home turf, at least recent history is on their side in one respect.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
18:36Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
17:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
