Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

The first of the two FA Cup semi-finals takes place on Saturday evening as Crystal Palace take on Aston Villa at Wembley.

While many have made complaints over a rather underwhelming Premier League season, the domestic cups have undeniably delivered. A thrilling climax to the FA Cup beckons, although Manchester City are threatening to ensure the trophy remains with one the country's big dogs.

Palace booked their place in the last four by virtue of an impressive 3-0 win at Fulham last month, while Villa cruised past Championship side Preston. Both teams have progressed into the FA Cup final since 2014, but they've each endured decades without lifting the trophy. In fact, Palace have never won the competition. Villa last prevailed in 1957.

Unai Emery is aiming to return to the cup to the West Midlands amid a busy conclusion to Villa's season. Their Champions League hopes took a dent in midweek as they succumbed to a late Matheus Nunes winner at City, while Palace are destined for another 12th-place Premier League finish off the back of a four-game winless run.

Here's 90min's preview of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa on TV - UK and US

Crystal Palace team news

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a wonderful goal off the bench at Arsenal / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

Glasner shuffled his pack for Palace's midweek draw at Arsenal, with the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Will Hughes and Ismaila Sarr all dropping to the bench. All three are expected to be in the semi-final XI on Saturday.

Ben Chilwell could miss out again through illness, while Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are injured.

Chris Richards is eligible to return from his suspension, and he should back in Glasner's defence alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix. Jefferson Lerma misses out.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Aston Villa

Palace predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.

Aston Villa team news

Ollie Watkins has dropped to the bench in recent outings / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

Emery has a full complement of players available for the semi-final. The manager has a big decision to make in attack, with Ollie Watkins hopeful of returning to the starting XI. Marcus Rashford impressed up top at the Etihad, but the pair could work in harmony at Wembley.

Skipper John McGinn is set for a return to Emery's team, while January arrivals Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen are also in contention.

Lucas Digne should be preferred to Ian Maatsen at left-back, while Matty Cash will retain his place on the opposite flank.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Palace (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rashford; Watkins.

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa score prediction

Very rarely are such occasions goal-fests, and these are two teams that know plenty about one another. Palace blew the Villans away back in February, and their performance at the Emirates should hand them plenty of confidence heading into the semi-final.

Villa must be crushed after their defeat at Man City, but they've only recently shown an impressive ability to bounce-back from heartbreak.

These are two carefree teams that are very watchable, and despite the seismic occasion, this should be a great game of football. We'll back Villa's strength in depth to prove key on Saturday evening as they outlast the spirited Eagles.