Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock is paying little attention to the plight of tonight’s visitors – preferring to concentrate on his own problems.
While Villa boss Paul Lambert struggles under a run of nine Premier League games with a win and only seven league goals in 13 games – the worst in the top flight – Warnock has injury concerns to deal with.
He is without Adrian Mariappa, Damien Delaney and Kevin Doyle – while Jerome Thomas, James McArthur and Fraizer Campbell ease their way back to full fitness after recovering from injury.
Warnock admitted he could be tempted to dive into the reserves, giving Hiram Boateng a possible place on the bench.
Villa, on the back of successive draws, welcome back Christian Benteke from suspension, giving the Midlands outfit a frontline that turns Warnock green with envy.
He said: “Villa have a front line that most clubs in the country would want with [Gabby] Agbonlahor, Benteke and [Andreas] Weimann.
Fan's column: All of the Time - In the Aeroplane over Swansea
“They are a young side, and it is hard for the clubs at the bottom, especially big clubs like Villa.”
He added: “But I am not too bothered about Aston Villa and their goal-scoring issues, I have enough things to worry about myself.
“In fact every Premier League manager has plenty to worry about without worrying another team.
“We could end up with a couple of the young lads against Villa or this weekend.
“[Hiram] Boateng is one I am thinking of, depending on certain players get through this week.
“Jerome Thomas has done well in training, and he’s another who will be needed.
“Wilfried Zaha has also been training well but Yannick Bolasie is in the form of his life at the moment, but Wilf is busting a gut to get a go and it will not be long before he gets an opportunity.
“We have a lot of games coming up before January, so all the squad will be used in the next few weeks.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here