Palace look to climb out of the relegation zone in today’s testing match against Villa – with the Eagles aiming for their first win since October.
Iain Dowie’s side are boosted by the news that Gonzalo Sorondo should come back in for Tony Popovic at the back, after the Uruguayan recovered from a hamstring tweak.
And Palace have no new injury concerns – Joonas Kolkaa remains on the sidelines so Vassilios Lakis will continue in his place.
Villa will be missing Swedish centre-back Olof Mellberg, who sits out the game with a suspension. The influential defender has played every game for Villa this season, scoring three goals in the process.
Palace will be hoping his absence weakens further a Villa defence that has already conceded 17 away goals in the Premiership.
Probable Palace XI:
Kiraly
Butterfield Hall Sorondo Granville
Routledge Soares Hughes Riihilahti Lakis
Johnson