The big news in Birmingham is that Philippe Coutinho will be making the city his permanent home. After an inconsistent loan spell Aston Villa will hope the creative force can refind his magic touch next season after a summer in which he can bed in fully. Steven Gerrard’s side fought hard, arguably deserving a point, in defeat to Liverpool in midweek and will be hopeful they can still secure a top-half finish if they pick up where they left off, starting with Crystal Palace. Patrick Vieira will undoubtedly feel the same and the Frenchman has the fine wind of good form at his back. A third win in succession would give Palace a great shot at 10th or a smidge higher and would be their first time in the top 10 since 2014-15. Graham Searles
Sunday 2pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 3 Crystal Palace 0
Referee Chris Kavanagh
This season G16 Y60 R3 3.94 cards/game
Odds H 15-13 A 11-4 D 13-5
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Olsen, Sinisalo, Chambers, Nakamba, Carney Chukwuemeka, Iroegbunam, O’Reilly, Bailey, Sanson, Young, Traoré, Buendía
Doubtful Ramsey (match fitness), Bailey (ankle), Watkins (match fitness)
Injured Hause (abdominal, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y77 R2
Form LLDWWL
Leading scorer Watkins 10
CRYSTAL PALACE
Subs from Guaita, Matthews, Benteke, Kelly, Banks, Hannam, Riedewald, Rak-Sakyi, Ward, Milivojevic, Ayew, Kouyaté, Guéhi, Mateta, McArthur, Schlupp
Doubtful Guéhi (ankle), Guaita (match fitness)
Injured Ferguson (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y60 R1
Form WLLDWW
Leading scorer Zaha 13
