Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – FA Cup 5th Round Preview

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – Selhurst Park, Sunday 14^th February 2010

Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying that Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock relishes a challenge and he certainly has a major one on his hands at Selhurst Park right now. After falling into administration last month, the Eagles were hit with a ten point penalty that transformed their Championship promotion campaign into a relegation battle and then to cap a miserable start to the year, were forced to sell their best player, Victor Moses, to Wigan. Seemingly undaunted by their off-field woes, however, the South London side have won three of their last four league games and comfortably accounted for Premiership strugglers Wolves in Round 4 to set up a money-spinning home tie with Aston Villa.

One player worth looking out for in the Palace ranks is former Birmingham midfielder Neil Danns who was strongly linked with a big-money January move, while Darren Ambrose is another who has been in eye-catching form, rattling home fifteen goals in all competitions. There is also an Australian connection in the form of Nicky Carle who is hoping that a decent cup run will enhance his prospects of making the Socceroos squad for the World Cup.

Unfortunately for the home side, former Burton Albion duo Lee Hills and Kieron Cadogan are both cup-tied, while Austrian international defender Johannes Ertl remains sidelined by injury.

The visitors, meanwhile, have indicated how seriously they are taking the domestic cup competitions this season by reaching the final of the League Cup and boss Martin O’Neill would dearly love to return to Wembley for a second time come May. Villa do not have a huge squad by Premiership standards, however and with injuries starting to mount up, they may find themselves somewhat stretched over the next few weeks. Emile Heskey, Stephen Warnock, John Carew and Stilian Petrov are among those under injury clouds heading into the Palace clash.

It’s shaping up to be a classic cup tie in front of a sell-out crowd at Selhurst and after their trials and tribulations in recent weeks, few neutrals would begrudge Palace an upset win. Villa certainly won’t show their hosts any sympathy, but may be forced into a replay which would delight the cash-strapped Eagles almost as much as a win.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa