Crystal Palace v Aston Villa 2425 programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

cover story

cover story#14 Welcome back to Selhurst Park – and welcome back to the matchday programme, where we are celebrating 100 years of football at this very stadium, from 1924 to the present day. Every edition of the programme this season will feature a special handillustrated cover, marking one of the many landmark dates that has made this such a unique place over the last century.

or today’s edition, we are paying homage to the various other sports that have graced Selhurst Park over the last 100 years. Other boxing legends have graced South London, including International Boxing Hall of Fame member Len Harvey (pictured on the cover), who boxed in every available weight division throughout his career, and was world champion in the light-heavyweight division from 1939 to 1942. In particular, our cover celebrates 1981, when SE25 hosted cricket, specifically the Home Counties qualifying round in the Lambert and Butler Floodlit Cup competition. This edition’s feature interviewee, Jefferson Lerma, is transported back in time to defend the

stumps – although as history would have it, he wouldn’t be only Palace footballer to play cricket at the ground! In addition, we’ve also seen baseball and, most bizarrely, bicycle polo played on this ground. The latter is – as you might have guessed – polo, but with bikes instead of horses! This unique spectacle came to South London in the summer of 1946, with teams based on the capital’s football clubs. Find out more about Selhurst Park’s alternative sports in club historian Ian King’s section on pages 60-61. Remember, you can keep collecting each original illustration throughout the campaign to build out the timeline from 1924 to the current day – make sure you get the matchday programme each week, then place them side by side for the full effect!

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contents

Crystal Palace √ aston villa tue 25 feb 2025 | 7:30pm k.o. Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U21 Development Mark Bright Chief Operating Officer Sharon Lacey Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber Chief Marketing Officer Aaron Duckmanton General Counsel David Nichol Chief of Staff Noah Abrams Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Foz Bowers Head of Marketing Matt Franks Head of Safeguarding Laura Baptiste Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

Editor Jack Lacey-Hatton Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer, Lucas Gough Front cover David Flanagan

06 08 12

25 10 chairman 36 HALL OF FAME 38 EAGLE EYE

41 STATS 44 DOC BROWN 46 MACCA 50 academy

Contributors Robin Johnson, Toby Jagmohan, Ed Dowling,

56 PALACE FOR LIFE

Doc Brown, James McArthur, Ian King, Tommy Macarthur Photography Neil Everitt, Peter Hurn, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Kontent Haus, Toby Jagmohan, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

60 100 years of selhurst park

66 from the archive 70 eagle arcade 72 WHAT’S ON?

Manager

oliver glasner Welcome back to Selhurst Park, and welcome to Unai Emery and his Aston Villa players and staff for tonight’s game.

hese notes will go to print before our game against Fulham, but regardless of what happened at Craven Cottage on Saturday, we are determined to secure a win in front of you at Selhurst Park this evening. In our last home match, we had a disappointing result against Everton. I think it was particularly tough to take, because it was unnecessary. It was not that our opponent was better than us over 90 minutes. We just made a few too many mistakes and couldn’t take enough of our chances to come away with the points. As I’ve said in recent weeks, our approach doesn’t change whether it’s a home or away fixture, and the attitude against Everton was really good. It always hurts more in games you expect to get points from, and the players knew they had done enough to get a result. Quite often we talk about respecting the point, but it is a difficult skill, particularly when you’re in the game and feel you can get all three. Sometimes in football you can want the win a little bit too

Right throughout this season we’ve always managed to stay calm and focus on the next challenge – one defeat doesn’t change who we are as a team

Manager

much and it can affect your mindset and decision-making. It’s never nice to lose but we also should remain positive. Right throughout this season we’ve always managed to stay calm and focus on the next challenge – one defeat doesn’t change who we are as a team. Congratulations to JeanPhilippe Mateta who, with his goal against Everton, moved to joint-second in our Premier League

In the year I’ve been here working with him, I have seen his confidence continue to grow. You feel a belief across the whole stadium when he is in front of goal. He has had a sensational development over the last 12 months, and I hope it continues

all-time scorers list. In the year I’ve been here working with him, I have seen his confidence continue to grow. You feel a belief across the whole stadium when he is in front of goal. He has had a sensational

development over the last 12 months, and I hope it continues. Tonight represents another big challenge as we take on an Aston Villa team who are in the Champions League last 16 and fighting to qualify for the competition again next season. In some ways it is straightforward to prepare for them as an opposition, because they have such a clear structure in terms of how they want to play, both in and out of possession. Huge credit to Unai Emery for achieving this and we have great respect for them. They’ve recently added some new players with high-quality, so it will be tough, but we are confident in the way we want to play and what we need to do. The two games we had at Villa Park earlier in the season show that we can create chances and score goals against them – and I believe we can do so again tonight. Every home game, we have still felt the support and how everyone appreciates the players are giving their best every time, and I know it will be the same tonight. If we stay calm, patient, and stick to our plan, with your belief and support, I am confident we can put in a top performance. Now is the time to get a home win. Thanks, as ever, for your support and I look forward to seeing you all this evening

Every home game, we have still felt the support and how everyone appreciates the players are giving their best every time, and I know it will be the same tonight. If we stay calm, patient, and stick to our plan, with your belief and support, I am confident we can put in a top performance. Now is the time to get a home win

Captain

marc Guéhi Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this evening’s Premier League game against Aston Villa. I hope we can get a win in front of you all today.

’m writing these notes ahead of our trip to Fulham on Saturday, as we enter another busy run of fixtures. As well as our game at Craven Cottage, we’ve got two important home games over the next few days, firstly against Aston Villa tonight and then an FA Cup tie with Millwall on Saturday, so it’s a big week. But this also gives us a great opportunity to put together a strong run of form in front of our home supporters. Our last match here against Everton was obviously disappointing. Although I thought we did plenty of things well on the day, frustratingly it wasn’t enough to secure a positive result. It was a game that shows just how competitive the Premier League is. I felt that with 20 minutes to go we looked like the team who would go on and get the win – then suddenly we conceded a goal out of nothing and were left chasing the game. Whilst the quality in the league means every week presents a huge challenge, the beauty of it is you always have an opportunity to go again and improve. Having three matches in the space of seven days after a defeat allows us to respond quickly and show the levels we can reach. We’ve had

Our last match here against Everton was obviously disappointing. Although I thought we did plenty of things well on the day, frustratingly it wasn’t enough to secure a positive result

Captain

as a group we take confidence from our two games against them earlier in the season, particularly the Carabao Cup win back in October. We know we’ll have to be at our best from the off, but with your support behind us I’m confident we can do that and put in a performance to be proud of

some great performances at home against Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea – and now we need to produce another. Throughout the season we’ve shown we can respond to a disappointing result in the right way. At the start, when victories were hard to come by, we stayed calm, worked hard as a group on the small details and started to pick up wins. Hopefully we can produce another strong reaction. Tonight, we welcome Aston Villa to South London. They are a strong team and have shown in the Champions League this season

Having three matches in the space of seven days after a defeat allows us to respond quickly and show the levels we can reach. We’ve had some great performances at home against Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea – and now we need to produce another

they can mix it with the best sides in Europe. But as a group we take confidence from our two games against them earlier in the season, particularly the Carabao Cup win back in October. We know we’ll have to be at our best from the off, but with your support behind us I’m confident we can do that and put in a performance to be proud of. I’m looking forward to hearing you all create a special atmosphere under the lights at Selhurst Park tonight. Enjoy the game

chairman

steve parish Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this evening’s match, and welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Aston Villa.

’m writing these programme notes ahead of last Saturday’s fixture away at Fulham. The defeat to Everton in our last match at Selhurst Park was obviously disappointing, especially as we were the better team for long periods of the game – but it also highlighted how often Premier League matches are decided by the finest of margins. This evening marks the start of three consecutive games for us at Selhurst Park and a real chance to build up momentum here. The first one is under the lights, which always produces the very best atmosphere. We have a great opportunity to move up the table, but every Premier League game is decided on fine margins, and you are crucial to getting us the three points. Of course, after tonight, we have the excitement of an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Millwall this weekend – an occasion I know everyone is looking forward to and will generate a big atmosphere as we look to reach the quarter-finals. I want to make you aware of some important fixtures coming up in Sutton next month for Crystal Palace Women. As well as Liverpool this

This evening marks the start of three consecutive games for us at Selhurst Park and a real chance to build up momentum here. The first one is under the lights, which always produces the very best atmosphere

Chairman

JP is a big character on and off the pitch, always positive and much loved by everyone at the club. He contributes so much more than goals and we all know he works so hard for the team

coming Sunday (2nd March), the team then face Aston Villa (16th March), who sit directly above us in the table, before a landmark fixture against Arsenal on 30th March. Every voice will count as the team aim to stay in the WSL, so if you can, please do get down and make a difference – your support will be greatly appreciated. Congratulations to Oliver, with last week marking one year since he became our manager. We’ve already had some great memories together over the last 12 months – and I’m sure plenty more will follow in the future.

Congratulations to Oliver, with last week marking one year since he became our manager. We’ve already had some great memories together over the last 12 months – and I’m sure plenty more will follow in the future Special mention, as well, to Jean-Philippe who, after scoring against Everton, is now our jointsecond top Premier League goalscorer – a great achievement. JP is a big character on and off the pitch, always positive and much loved by everyone at the club. He contributes so much

more than goals and we all know he works so hard for the team – but since these notes went to print, hopefully he has already scored again and moved clear in second! Tonight sees us take on a club doing well in the Champions League and battling for European qualification again this season. We know that Villa will provide a tough challenge, but we also know we are capable of meeting that challenge and coming away with a positive result. As always, I urge you to throw everything you have behind Oliver’s team, from the first whistle to last. Thank you for your support. Up the Palace

A distance of over 5,000 miles separates Jefferson Lerma from his hometown of El Cerrito and his current base in South London – but with typical discipline, diligence and the assistance of compatriot Daniel Muñoz, the Colombia international discusses how he is beginning to make his corner of the English capital his home… Words: Robin Johnson

Jefferson Lerma

n an age of affirmations and adages, it’s not uncommon to come across variations on “the journey is in the struggle.” But on occasion, it’s the journey that is the struggle. “The traffic is quite heavy!” suggests Jefferson Lerma, prompted for any aspects of moving to London he has not enjoyed. “In most cases, I prefer not to go into Central London – it’s easier not to!” Good thing, then, that 18 months after completing his move to Crystal Palace from Bournemouth, Lerma has all the characteristics of one of South London’s own: passionate, but disciplined; diligent, but driven to succeed. We are being glib, of course, to begin on that footing. Lerma’s journey to the top of the game is one to admire, starting in the modest surroundings of El Cerrito, a town of 25,000 residents, from where he was scouted playing a match in his local village. Offered a trial at nearby Huila, with few spots available and 120 others competing for them, Lerma earned his stripes. The challenges continued, but Lerma’s footballing quality, and determination to change his life, shone through. Those same credentials have carried him to the verge of 300 top-flight appearances across spells in Colombia, Spain and England. There is no better judge of such matters than the fans – and Lerma’s, wherever he has played, have appreciated him. “The truth is that when you do your work with passion, with love, it is very easy to connect with the fans,” the midfielder explains. “During this year-and-a-half I have been at Crystal Palace, the fans have respected me, they have

The truth is that when you do your work with passion, with love, it is very easy to connect with the fans, During this year-and-a-half I have been at Crystal Palace, the fans have respected me, they have treated me well, and they have shown me extraordinary love

treated me well, and they have shown me extraordinary love. I believe that nothing comes for free – everything is for the performance that you show on the field – and I always have gratitude for the people here, because they are always supporting me. “Regardless of the position of the team here, you see the stadium full and people applauding you. Even if you have lost, they applaud you. That it is impossible to find in other countries of the world – but I think that, when you give everything, those people will give you that love in return.” At the time of writing, ahead of Palace’s matches against Fulham and Aston Villa, Lerma stands on 148 Premier League appearances – 100 with Bournemouth, and 48 over his seasonand-a-half in the Eagles’ red and blue. In that time, he has made over 1,000 recoveries in England’s top-flight; won 749 of his 1,391 duels for possession;

Jefferson Lerma

Regardless of the position of the team here, you see the stadium full and people applauding you. Even if you have lost, they applaud you. That it is impossible to find in other countries of the world – but I think that, when you give everything, those people will give you that love in return

Jefferson Lerma

It has been quite difficult with all the things we have seen during this season, but it is changing, little by little. We are working to be back in the top positions and to finish the season in the best way possible, and to be able to enjoy the beautiful moments that football has in store for us

Jefferson Lerma won 297 of 530 aerial battles; and, to move his team forwards, completed some 285 long balls. These are the statistics of a competitor. “I think that the Premier League has shown that no matter how your last game goes, before facing the next one, no matter how hard it is, you have to be ready and prepared to compete,” the 30-year-old explains. “It has been quite difficult with all the things we have seen during this season, but it is changing, little by little. We are working to be back in the top positions and to finish the season in the best way possible, and to be able to enjoy the beautiful moments that football has in store for us. “Our goal is to be in the top positions of the table. Unfortunately, this season, we have faced many setbacks, but we still believe that we have the capacity and the quality to be there. We have to spell out that this is the Premier League; things change quickly. The table is moving all the time, not only below us, but also above us. We were close to the bottom of the table before, and now we have distanced ourselves. “We have had many injuries, but in the last few weeks I think we have been able to find much of the team in good condition. We are not where we want to be now – but it is a day-to-day struggle, every game, so we are always preparing to fight head-to-head with any team. “We are going to give it our all. I think we have the quality and character to continue to improve each game. We have to concentrate – and believe in ourselves.” Lerma finds it easy to draw that belief from his manager, Oliver Glasner, who recently

Our goal is to be in the top positions of the table. Unfortunately, this season, we have faced many setbacks, but we still believe that we have the capacity and the quality to be there. We have to spell out that this is the Premier League; things change quickly. The table is moving all the time, not only below us, but also above us

celebrated one year since taking charge of Crystal Palace. “The manager is ambitious,” the midfielder explains. “We have not been able to express all that he wants due to certain circumstances this season, but it is impossible to doubt his ability. “I have the opportunity to enjoy his knowledge every day, and we hope that one day we can show 100 percent what his vision is. He has a strong style of play in which you always have to press, and always move forward with intensity. “I trust each of my teammates. It is a growing team here. The coach is always injecting us with that motivation, that intensity, and he will always go to the next step with us. We hope that God rewards us with three points – but we always have to work.”

Jefferson Lerma The contrast of Palace’s form at home and on the road has been apparent, but for Lerma, Selhurst Park remains symbolic of why he has come to love English football so much. “It is a beautiful environment, an incredible energy,” Lerma says of Palace’s 100-year-old ground. “I have had the opportunity to invite friends to live this experience and after living it it, they tell me how incredible it is they feel. “In English clubs, in the Premier League, the second division, wherever you play football, the passion, that harmony that exists in the stadium, despite the rivalries… there is always that respect.” There could be no better advocate for Palace, then, than Lerma, when contact was first made a year ago regarding the potential signing of compatriot Daniel Muñoz – another fans’ favourite celebrating a year in South London, having embodied the same battling qualities as his Colombia international teammate. “It is a great joy,” Lerma smiles. “I have been in a European football club almost 10 years, and this is just the second time I’ve had the opportunity to share the experience with a compatriot” – the midfielder previously played alongside Mauricio Cuero at Levante – “and I have enjoyed it a lot this last year in London. “Before he arrived, I told him what the club was like: it’s very good here, very pleasant, and everyone is always available and wanting to help. At that moment we also needed a player like Dani on that side, and the club also asked me about him and how he was as a person. I already knew him through the national team,

this is just the second time I’ve had the opportunity to share the experience with a compatriot and I have enjoyed it a lot this last year in London. Before he arrived, I told him what the club was like: it’s very good here, very pleasant, and everyone is always available and wanting to help

so I told both sides what each other was like. “Dani is a person who trains well, who works well, who always wants more. His story has been even more challenging than mine. For example, I made my professional debut at 18 – he made his at 21. To see his growth is wonderful, and it is motivation for our children – and for all children who believe in footballers – that everything is about persistence, to work, to always want more. “Thanks to God, we were able to complete that signing, and now that we have, we have been enjoying the experience with our families. We know what free days we have, so we plan and go out together with our families. “We organise meals and share great moments and holidays, and that makes settling easier.” Muñoz,

Jefferson Lerma

Dani is a person who trains well, who works well, who always wants more. His story has been even more challenging than mine. For example, I made my professional debut at 18 – he made his at 21. To see his growth is wonderful, and it is motivation for our children

Jefferson Lerma

Be disciplined, be hungry for your dreams, be 100 percent committed – and do not give up. Everything is possible for those who believe and keep their feet on the ground

Jefferson Lerma Lerma and Liverpool’s Luis Díaz came together to celebrate Christmas, with their families cooking a traditional Colombian lechona dish – pork stuffed with rice, peas, onions and spices – “a brilliant time with good people.” It is little wonder that Palace’s Colombian contingent are so close, having also been on a remarkable journey with their national team. Under Nestor Lorenzo, Los Cafeteros recorded their best-ever run of 28 games unbeaten between February 2022 and July 2024, Lerma and Muñoz capped 19 and 22 times respectively in that time. That sequence came to an end, agonisingly, in the Copa América Final in Miami Gardens last summer, where a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Argentina denied Colombia just their secondever major trophy. But both Palace men made their mark en route, scoring in the opening group-stage win over Paraguay; Muñoz later netted his second of the tournament against Brazil, and Lerma did so with a semifinal winner over Uruguay. “There were many games where the national team rose to the challenge,” Lerma recalls fondly. “We are all aiming for the moon. We want glory. We want glory for us and for our country. And I think we have shown that we have the conditions to achieve that. “We had the opportunity to play in a final, where Colombia had the ability to show its football in the Copa América. Unfortunately, the final did not go as we hoped – but these are lessons that strengthen us for the future. “I believe in the national team. Every player who gets called up has the opportunity to be part of this

There were many games where the national team rose to the challenge, We are all aiming for the moon. We want glory. We want glory for us and for our country. And I think we have shown that we have the conditions to achieve that

process. I think that we all have the same feeling that we are going to fight, and we are going to win. In March, we have the opportunity to show our abilities again. “I think that everything that has happened during all this time brings lessons. They are lessons which strengthen us, and make us work harder for what is to come.” Perhaps we were not being so glib, then: the struggle really is the journey, and every moment – even those spent stuck in Central London traffic – an opportunity to reflect, learn lessons, and look forward. Lerma himself says it best, when asked for his advice for any aspiring young footballers: “Be disciplined, be hungry for your dreams, be 100 percent committed – and do not give up. Everything is possible for those who believe and keep their feet on the ground.”

captain

SHARE GOOD TIMES WITH

GREAT PILSNER GRAB A BEER THAT’S CRISP, BRIGHT AND REFRESHING 22

And finally...

and finally...

with jefferson lerma

Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Muñoz are close friends and teammates on and off the pitch – but do they agree on all aspects of life off the pitch?

Who’s more competitive? Muñoz: Me! [Lerma nods]

Who has the better playlist? Muñoz: We have different tastes! Lerma: For me it’s salsa music, for him it’s reggaeton. But I’m more open to his music!

Who has the better fashion sense? Muñoz: Jeff – I’m more uncomplicated! Lerma: I like fashion.

Who is the better singer? Muñoz: Jefferson – salsa music! Lerma: Sometimes I sing – but I don’t have a good voice!

Who’s funnier? Lerma: Dani, Dani, Dani – I’m very serious! Muñoz: No way! Ask other people.

Who eats more? Lerma: Dani – too much! He eats four portions of chicken every day! Muñoz: He doesn’t understand me!

Who spends more time in front of the mirror?

Who’s the better cook?

Lerma: Dani, Dani, Dani – sometimes we go to eat, and it takes one hour to leave! Muñoz: That’s false!

Muñoz: Jefferson – helados con leche! [Ice cream with milk] Lerma: That’s the only thing I cook!

Do you always arrive late?! Muñoz: No… Lerma: Yes, because when he has to pick me up, he always makes me wait outside! But for training, never.

Who is faster? Lerma: Dani! Muñoz: Hmm, I think we’re equal.

FOR THE CLUB captain

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The World’s Game

aston villa

the villans 1889

back in the big time Position

9th

Points

Top Scorer Ollie Watkins

Most Assists 10

away

home

Ollie Watkins

In the league they remain firmly in the race to qualify for Europe for the third season in succession. Built on a foundation of just one defeat in their opening nine games, Emery’s side have once again shown they are amongst the best teams in the top-flight on their day.

third

Aston Villa’s remarkable rise over recent years. From narrowly avoiding relegation in 2020 has led them back to European football’s elite in 2024/25. This season marks Villa’s first campaign back in the Champions League since they were defending European champions back in 1982. Only 18 months on from looking like they would be dragged into a relegation battle, Unai Emery transformed Villa into a well-organised counter-pressing unit, capable of beating the top teams in the league. Collecting 20 wins from their 28 games last season was enough for a top fourfinish and qualification for Europe’s elite competition. Revelling in their return, Emery’s team produced huge performances to beat Bayern Munich, Celtic and RB Leipzig and secured a draw against Juventus. They now can await a mouthwatering Round of 16 tie next month against Club Brugge, as their European adventure gathers pace. The extra demands of continental football haven’t seen Villa neglect their domestic responsibilities. They remain in the FA Cup after coming through two all-Premier League ties against West Ham and Tottenham.

THIS Season

aston villa

head2head

4-2 √ celtic Villa Park

√ wolves Molineux Stadium

2-1 √ tottenham Villa Park

1-1 √ manchester city Villa Park

2-2 √ liverpool

lastfive

2-0

villa

draw

palace

1-0

4th March 2023 Villa Park

3-1

16th September 2023 Villa Park

5-0

19th May 2024 Selhurst Park

1-2

30th October 2024 Villa Park

2-2

23rd November 2024 Villa Park

Villa Park

2-2

“I’m happy with the match we played and how we performed. We’re in a new era, a new way. More or less, over 90 minutes, I think the result is fair.” Unai Emery

aston villa √ liverpool

Wednesday 19th February / Villa Park

watkins Substitutes 25

R. Olsen

O. Zych

M. Cash

D. Malen

I. Maatsen

L. Bogarde

J. Ramsey

J. Jimoh-Aloba

goal cards

rashford

asensio

rogers

tielemans

m©ginn

digne

mings

disasi

garcia

23 martinez

subs

aston villa

key players Aston Villa are fighting to qualify for European competition for a third consecutive season. Here we look at Villa’s most important players...

The World No. 1 -

gk emiliano

martÍnez age

Height

6’5

joined

from

2020

Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero – to give him his full title – in recent years has cemented his status as one of the best goalkeepers, not just in the Premier League, but in the world. First coming to England in 2010, after impressing in a trial, Martínez signed for Arsenal but found opportunities limited at the Emirates Stadium. Loan spells of varying success followed over the next eight years, at the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves and Getafe. Along the way Martínez made 38 appearances for the Gunners, the majority of which came in cup competitions. A move to Aston Villa in 2020 would finally see him reach his potential and establish himself as a Premier League No. 1. At international level, Martínez was part of the Argentina side that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, proving himself the hero in two penalty shootouts along the way. His performances helped him win the FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper award and the Yashin Trophy. He has also won the Copa América twice.

mid john

m©ginn age

Height

5’10

joined

from

2018

Few players have had as much impact on Aston Villa’s fortunes over recent years as Scotland midfielder McGinn. Winning admirers at Villa Park and beyond for his all-action style of play, McGinn became an instant club hero for life when he scored the goal that helped secure the club’s return to the Premier League in the 2019 playoff final at Wembley, at the end of his first season. Quickly able to adapt to the top-flight, he scored three times and picked up six assists to help Villa to a comfortable mid-table finish in 2020/21, before another strong year in the Midlands saw the midfielder pick up the captaincy in 2022. On the international stage, McGinn has been a fundamental part of Scotland’s revival over recent years and played at both the 2020 and 2024 European Championship finals.

aston villa

Rejuvenated Rashford? Having endured a difficult two years at Manchester United, Rashford is looking to revitalise his career after joining Villa on loan until the end of the season. Despite having close to 100 Premier League goals and been a key man for United in recent years, the England international first fell out of favour under former manager Erik ten Hag. Few players have burst onto the scene in a more dramatic way than Rashford in recent years. Towards the end of the 2015/16 season, with United struggling with injuries, Rashford was promoted from the academy to the matchday squad for a Europa League tie with Midtjylland. A further injury in the warm-up saw Rashford start the game, where he would go onto score twice. When he started, against Arsenal, and again scored twice (only three days later in the Premier League) a star was born. The forward won six major honours with the Red Devils; two FA Cups, two League Cups, a Community Shield and the Europa League. He also played for England at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and Euro 2020.

fwd marcus

rashford age

9 Height

6’1

joined

from

2025

Ever since signing from Brentford in September 2020, Watkins has been Villa’s talisman forward. A product of the Exeter City Academy, Watkins signed his first professional contract back in 2014. His first real breakthrough came the following season, scoring 10 goals in 24 games on loan for Westonsuper-Mare. Going on to score 26 goals for Exeter, Watkins was poached by Brentford in the summer of 2017.

fwd ollie

watkins age

11 Height

5’11

joined

from

2020

His best season for the Bees came when helping them to the 2019/20 Championship play-off final at Wembley, Watkins scoring 26 goals in 50 appearances across the season. Villa were able to tempt him away from West London that summer, for a then club-record of £28million. Watkins’ best season to date came in 2023/24, with 27 goals in all competitions.

aston villa

gk Emiliano

Martinez age

joined

32 2020

def Matty

Cash age

joined

27 2020

def Tyrone

mings age

from

joined

31 2019

from

5 from

gk robin

olsen age

joined

35 2022

def Axel

Disasi age

joined

26 2025

from

def lucas

digne age

from

joined

31 2022 30

from

gk Oliwier

Zych age

48 joined

20 2020

def Ezri

Konsa age

joined

27 2019

def pau

torres age

joined

from

28 2023

from

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def Andrés

garcia age

joined

22 2025

def Kortney

Hause age

joined

29 2019

MID john

m©ginn age

from

joined

30 2018

from

7 from

def ian

Maatsen age

joined

22 2024

def triston

Rowe age

from

45 from

academy

mid

Youri

Tielemans age

joined

27 2023 31

from

def lamare

bogarde age

joined

21 2020

MID ross

Barkley age

joined

31 2024

mid amadou

from

6 from

onana age

joined

23 2024

from

aston villa

mid jacob

ramsey age

41 from

MID Boubacar

Kamara age

academy

fwd

from

age

marcus

rashford age

joined

27 2025

fwd marco

asensio age

joined

29 2025

from

joined

25 2022

ollie

watkins joined

29 2020

fwd morgan

from

22 2024 32

age

joined

18 2023

from

age

from

Jimoh-Aloba

joined

Jamaldeen

fwd

rogers age

mid

donyell

malen

joined

26 2025

fwd leon

bailey age

joined

from

27 2021

from

aston villa

squaddepth st Ollie WATKINS Marcus RASHFORD lw

Morgan ROGERS Marco ASENSIO

Leon BAILEY Donyell MALEN

am Jacob RAMSEY Jamaldeen JIMOH-ALOBA

cm John McGINN Youri TIELEMANS Ross BARKLEY

Dm Boubacar KAMARA Amadou ONANA

lb Lucas DIGNE Ian MAATSEN

Rb Matty CASH Andrés GARCIA Triston ROWE

Ezri KONSA Lamare BOGARDE Axel DISASI

Pau TORRES Tyrone MINGS Kortney HAUSE GK

Emiliano MARTÍNEZ Robin OLSEN Oliwier ZYCH

Loaned In

Academy Graduate

New Signing

aston villa

through time

1874

Club founded at Heathfield Road

1894

League champions for the first time, marking the start of the club’s golden era

1897

Become only the second club to win ‘the double’

1931

Finish the season with an English record of 128 League goals – including a club record 49 for Tom 'Pongo' Waring

1961

Villa lift the inaugural League Cup winning first final 3-2 on aggregate against Rotherham

1970

Relegated to the old Third Division

1972

Win the Third Division title – a year after again reaching the League Cup final

1977

Another League Cup final triumph – Villa beat Everton in a second replay at Old Trafford

1981

League champions for the seventh time, qualifying for the European Cup

1930/31 Villa produce the most prolific season in front of goal in English football history. In 42 league matches, they score a remarkable 128 goals – averaging over three goals per game. Pongo Waring finished as the league’s top scorer with 49 goals. Eric Houghton also provides plenty of firepower, by notching 30 goals. Manchester United were thrashed 7-0 – their own record defeat until a bad day at Liverpool two years ago – while Birmingham were beaten 4-0 on their own patch in the SecondCity Derby. Despite the obvious attacking talent, Villa still miss out on the league championship, with Arsenal, who themselves score 127 goals, finishing seven points clear.

1981/82 One of the most dramatic seasons in Villa history ended with their greatest night. Ron Saunders’ side are defending English champions, enduring a difficult season domestically and finishing mid-table – eventually losing as many games as they win. Saunders quits the club in February after a dispute over his contract.

1982

Replacement manager Tony Barton guides Villa into the European Cup final where they meet Bayern Munich. Although the German giants are heavy favourites, and goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer goes off injured early on, target striker Peter Withe’s goal secures a famous 1-0 victory – and with it the biggest prize in European club football.

Villa beat Bayern Munich in the European Cup final in Rotterdam – the greatest night in club history

1994

League Cup winners at Wembley after a 3-1 win against Manchester United

2019

Promoted back to the top-flight after a play-off final win over Fulham at Wembley

2024

Villa secure return to Europe’s premier competition after finishing 4th in the Premier League

aston villa

dreamfive GK Nigel Spink It could be argued that Emiliano Martínez now has a claim to be Villa’s greatest ever goalkeeper – but for hero status, Spink takes some beating after coming off the bench to put in an outstanding performance in the 1982 European Cup final.

cb Paul M©Grath Not only Aston Villa’s greatest ever defender, arguably McGrath is perhaps the best ever player to pull on a Villa shirt. Physical, quick and technically sound on the ball, defenders don’t come much better.

cm Gareth Barry Midfielders don’t come much more reliable. Never injured, always at least a 7/10 – Barry became a top international player during his time at Villa Park. He later won the Premier League at Manchester City.

2023/24 After only taking over in November 2022 with the team languishing in the bottom half, Unai Emery leads Villa back into their first European football campaign in over a decade with a run to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. But his side don’t stop there, producing a memorable Premier League campaign after bouncing back brilliantly from a 5-1 opening day defeat at Newcastle. Emery guides his side to a home and away double over Arsenal, while champions Manchester City are also beaten at Villa Park. They also take part in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool. A powerful, exciting team secure a top-four finish – their highest since 1995/96 – and with it a return to the Champions League.

cm Gordon Cowans Across three separate spells with the club Cowans made 474 senior appearances. Brilliant with either foot, the creative midfielder was also part of the European Cup-winning side.

st Dwight Yorke Watkins, Withe and others have a fair claim on this position but at his best during his time with the club, Yorke was unplayable. He scored 98 goals for the club in eight years, before moving onto Manchester United in 1998.

aston villa

kitstory

celebrity villans

best

worst

Home: 1991/92

Home: 2002/03

Umbro really knew what they were doing in the 90s didn’t they? This Villa classic is long overdue a retro re-release.

Partly rubbish because the sponsor is naff - Rover, really? Partly rubbish because Villa had a poor season, finishing way down in 16th place.

best

worst

tom hanks Why does Tom Hanks support Villa? Well the man himself said in 2008 simply that "Aston Villa sounds like a lovely little place.” He attended the 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Villa Park last season.

prince william The future king reportedly got into football at school and these days is the patron of the FA. On average, he's probably more likely to be spotted at Villa Park than Hanks.

ozzy osbourne away: 2008/09

away: 1998/99

It may look simple, but this design has a clean look, and even right down to the sponsor, it's pleasing to the eye. It just screams Ashley Young and John Carew.

This is a crime against football kit design. Whose idea was it for a black trim, ugly collar and a gaudy sponsor to all be mixed? Disgusting.

The Prince of Darkness is a lifelong Villa supporter and will play a special farewell concert at Villa Park this summer, joined by the original Black Sabbath members.

aston villa

greatestgames 4-1 league cup heroes Heading into the 1994/95 season, Aston Villa were the holders of the League Cup, then under the guise of the Coca-Cola Cup for sponsorship reasons. They made it back to the last 16 before their progress was halted by a brilliant Palace performance at Selhurst Park. Villa took the lead through Dalian Armstrong, but the Eagles produced a stunning turnaround after half-time. Two goals from Chris Armstrong and two from Sir Gareth Southgate booked the hosts a place in the last eight.

3-2 Edging a five-goal thriller One of the most entertaining games between the two teams in the Premier League era sadly was played behind closed doors. Twice the Eagles came from behind to secure the three points: Wilfried Zaha got us level, before a dramatic late winner from Tyrick Mitchell – his first goal for the club. In doing so he became Palace’s youngest top-flight scorer (21 years and 257 days) since Clinton Morrison in 1998. It was the final game played without fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic, supporters returning for the following match against Arsenal.

5-0 Ebs and JP finish the season in style Both sides had plenty to celebrate going into the final day of last season. But by full-time it was only the Palace supporters dancing in the Selhurst Park sunshine. The Eagles enjoyed a glorious finish to 2023/24 under Oliver Glasner and this performance was the icing on the cake. Jean-Philippe Mateta struck a hat-trick while Ebere Eze scored twice as Palace ran riot, while Villa had a rare off day, having only secured Champions League qualification a few days previously.

aston villa

eagle eye

@J_Tanswell

Jacob Tanswell currently covers Aston Villa for The Athletic. Previously, he followed Southampton FC for The Athletic after spending three years writing about south coast football. At the start of the season what were your expectations for Aston Villa this year? And have performances matched how you thought it would go? It was always going to be more difficult this season. Playing in the Champions League brings increased pressure, and is more testing in regard to opposition compared to last season's experience in the Conference League. Villa are no longer the surprise package; naturally, the next campaign – like the dreaded "second album" for a singer – is trickier, with opponents having more success in negating their strengths. They are hugely underperforming their xG in front of goal and have kept just three clean sheets. How has Unai Emery dealt with the extra demands of Champions League football this season? Emery tends to prefer keeping the spine of the team the same, regardless of the busy schedule – for example, tonight's visit is Villa's fourth of five games in the space of two weeks. To manage energy levels, Villa do not press as vigorously, conserving energy and working off a game plan that aims to control games and the tempo.

Villa are no longer the surprise package; naturally, the next campaign like the dreaded "second album" for a singer is trickier

aston villa Villa have so far only won once in the league following a Champions League match, with the extra demands of playing in Europe's bluechip competition proving taxing.

Boubacar Kamara is Villa's best and most important player. He is their equivalent to Rodri at Manchester City in midfield, key to maintaining the team's structure and balance

What did you make of Jhon Durán’s departure in January and the arrival of Marcus Rashford – are Villa in a stronger position now than they were on January 1st? Villa believe they have greater depth and pedigree, but the jury is still very much out. Rashford's signing was notable and suits Emery's preference of having a versatile attacker rather than a traditional centre forward. It remains to be seen as to whether he, Donyell Malen or Marco Asensio can replace Durán's late goals and whether Axel Disasi tightens a leaky defence. On paper, the team is stronger, though a lot is riding on the new signings rediscovering form under Emery.

Who is Villa’s most important player – and whose contribution flies under the radar? Boubacar Kamara is Villa's best and most important player. He is their equivalent to Rodri at Manchester City in midfield, key to maintaining the team's structure and balance. He adjusts position depending on how Emery plans to build up possession from the back, often moving into right-back when Villa have the ball. As for someone who flies under the radar, Lucas Digne is one of the few players rarely injured and is so reliable. Give us a name for the future to keep an eye on… Ben Broggio. A young, exciting winger who has been a standout

performer in the UEFA Youth League and will hopefully get a chance under Emery in pre-season, having come through the ranks. And finally, how do you think the rest of Villa’s season will play out? And how far can they go in the Champions League? Villa have a wonderful opportunity in the FA Cup with their next game against Cardiff City in the last 16 and with some of the big hitters out. Going into the quarter-finals of the Champions League would be a fantastic achievement. If Villa can secure a top-seven finish in the league and remain in Europe in some form, this would be a more viable aim

west ham united

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aston villa

HEAD TO HEAD

tyrick

mitchell

ian

maatsen

Goals

Penalties won

Penalties scored

157

Clean sheets

Apps

Goals

Yellow cards

Goals

Assists

age

POSITION

def

Apps

nat

Red cards

age

POSITION

def

nat

Clean Sheets

Clearances

341

Clearances

Last Man Tackles

Yellow Cards

Last Man Tackles

Yellow Cards

Games - Palace's current unbeaten run against Villa, the two sides meeting three times in 2024 with the Eagles avoiding defeat.

Premier League goals scored by Christian Benteke – 77 of which came for Villa and Palace.

Crystal Palace have won more Premier League home games against Aston Villa than they have against any other opponent.

Delivered by:

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WIIINGS RED BULL GIVES YOU WIIINGS.

doc brown & james m©arthur

doc brown

doc brown Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, does it all – acting, rapping, writing, directing, you name it. The multifaceted Palace fan is also a patron of Palace for Life Foundation. In each edition, he offers his unique take on the world in SE25...

A HOME FROM HOLME Whenever I reach for positive memories in our history with tonight’s visitors, I find that I only ever seem to think about Villa Park, and in the build-up to this game I’ve been wondering why. Without looking up any actual facts or statistics (that’d be way too professional) I’d wager that it’s probably not due to some incredible run of results, but more likely the fact that two of my most enduring Palace memories happened there. They’re both clear in my memory to this day, despite them being 23 years apart and one of them being in a different century. I watched them both live on television – one on my mum’s 12inch Grundig Colour TV which you had to sometimes slap on the side to steady the picture, which should give you a clue to which game it was... Correct! It was that bright, warm West Midlands day, a mass of red and blue balloons glinting in the sunlight, a corner from Gray, a flickon from Thorn, a delightfully messy header from Pardew at the far post. The other event was towards the end of a cagey league game in 2013, the goalless deadlock broken late

on with one of my favourite Palace goals of all time, masterminded by one Dwight Gayle. Off the bench, couple of touches away from the defender, and a 23-yard ping into the top corner. And to put the cherry on the cake, he did it all in one of my favourite Palace KITS of all time, yup – the Evil Sash. That goal is a thing of beauty – I pull it out and pore over it every now and again, like my original vinyl of Sly & the Family Stone’s There’s A Riot Goin’ On or baby pictures of my kids. It’s a very similar kind of reverence. In what has been an up and down season in 2024/25, we’ve created some great new memories at Villa Park, both stand outs for me, all things considered. Firstly, that comfortable Carabao Cup win where we took advantage of an unfocused Villa and looked so professional doing it – it felt really assured and gave us the confidence to run Arsenal close in the quarters. Secondly – and weirdly more satisfying despite being a draw – was the league game there in November. It was something about Devenny’s goal, not just the thrilling breakaway nature of it what with it following Deano’s penalty save, but

the goalless deadlock broken late on with one of my favourite Palace goals of all time, masterminded by one Dwight Gayle. Off the bench, couple of touches away from the defender, and a 23-yard ping into the top corner. And to put the cherry on the cake, he did it all in one of my favourite Palace KITS of all time, yup – the Evil Sash

doc brown

the way the entire squad celebrated with the youngster with such genuine joy. To me as the Eternal Soppily Optimistic Eagle, it displayed a togetherness that I felt could take us far, akin to the late Newcastle equaliser when Glasner ran all the way down the touchline to the Holmesdale to celebrate with Muñoz (if I could add the Eyes-Welling-Up emoji here, believe me I would). Now then. I can hear you shouting at this article “BUT ALL OF THOSE MEMORIES ARE AWAY FROM HOME!” And you’d be absolutely

right, but you’d also look weird shouting at an inanimate object. My point is, at the moment we need to draw on good vibes and a winning mentality from wherever it can be mined, take my happy Villa Park memories and make new ones right here at home. Because while home is famously where the heart is, there is even more heart to be taken from amassing points from the games we play here and two home wins all season is less likely to give me heart, more likely to give me heart murmurs. Conversely, our excellent record away from home this term

is the reason we don’t have to worry about anything as ridiculous or upsetting as the “R” word. So what I’m saying is, why not start a bit of a turnaround tonight? Why not summon the spirit of Villa Park and bring it home? We have the players, the ability, the support. We definitely have the manager – whatever’s missing at home, let’s replace it. Because as much as I’ve had a 35year soft spot for Villa Park, you know what they say round these ways: Holmesdale is where the heart is. UTP!

James M©arthur

james m©arthur Palace legend James McArthur made 253 appearances for the club, playing over 19,000 minutes in all competitions across nine years. Below, he discusses Oliver Glasner’s first year in charge of Palace; his admiration for today’s opponents; and why he’s looking forward to this weekend as much as the rest of us…

tough toffees I’m writing this column after Palace’s game against Everton, but before Saturday’s match against Fulham. I knew the match against Everton was going to be a hard one – it’s always tough against them, and if you give them opportunities, they always seem to take them against Palace. They were on a good run of form under David Moyes.

It was one of those matches where the lads will have gone away frustrated and disappointed. Matches where you’re on top can often be the most dangerous. It can feel like you’re playing well, you’re

in control, so in your mind you push, push, push to go and win it – and that can be when the opponent is at their sharpest. It’s one of those games that hopefully the lads will learn from. You start getting that fear which helps, when you're on top, to keep your structure and shape and control, and not to go too gung-ho.

Home comforts? When you are on a good run of form – home or away – you go into those games with a bit more belief thinking, ‘just do your own job, and things will take care of themselves.’ But when you're not doing as well as you would like to at home, you can start thinking about it too much. That can be, for example, when you miss a chance, you start thinking ‘I hope it's not another one of those days’ – whereas away from home, if you miss that chance but have been on such a great run of form, you’d go: ‘Okay, next one – we’ll get the goal we need.’ I think psychologically it can have an impact but, as a player, you literally

It’s one of those games that hopefully the lads will learn from. You start getting that fear which helps, when you're on top, to keep your structure and shape and control, and not to go too gung-ho

James M©arthur

need to take every game in isolation and treat it completely differently. Win or lose, you have to start again, to try and win three points.

Oliver’s impact Oliver Glasner celebrated one year at the club last week, and he has been fantastic. There was a real buzz about the place when he came in and started playing a different style of play; the formation, playing with wing-backs going up and down, and players who want to come inside with your wingbacks overlapping… it's something that, even in my time at the club, we probably hadn't seen. There's a freshness there and when you get results, that freshness becomes a real positivity. When you're a manager or a player, you always have that expectation on yourself to go in and do well, but the year that the manager has had has been quite incredible. From a team that were probably not getting the best out of themselves, to finishing last year unbelievably… and then I’ve said it before, but when you sign so many players, it takes time for a transition to happen. Now the transition has happened, the lads have really kicked on this season under the influence of the manager. I don't know him personally, but the manager seems very calm on the side of the park. When you are losing matches, that calmness is so important. Speaking to some of the lads I know there, I know that he is demanding, which is also very, very

important. I had a manager at Wigan Athletic, Uwe Rösler, who was probably similar in demanding those standards. You’d win nine games in a row, but there was still that same intensity to start again and keep doing the right things! Glasner seems to have that intensity about him where he puts his demands to the lads, and they’re responding well to it.

really drills them to know exactly what they're doing, but also what the opposition are doing too. He's had an unbelievable twoand-a-half seasons and seems to be getting the very best out of Aston Villa. This is a different Aston Villa from a couple of seasons ago – they seem to perform most weeks – but Crystal Palace have also got the players in their changing room to win games like this as well.

cup clash -

villa on a roll Unai Emery has done an incredible job to take Aston Villa from a relegation battle into Europe – and it looks like they could be there for a number of years. Their squad seems to be getting stronger, and speaking to a couple of players I know there, their manager

I watched the FA Cup fifth-round draw and when Palace got Millwall, I was buzzing for the fans! Obviously, the last time it happened – in January 2022 – we got the result we wanted. It was one for the fans; they’d got one over all the Millwall supporters they knew! I know that these draws can be tricky, especially against your rivals, but it's also a great opportunity to get through to the next round in the Cup. I'd been very fortunate with the FA Cup to get to three semi-finals and two finals and, every single year you get there, you never really think you're going to. You just go on the journey: ‘Oh, that's a good draw, that's a good draw’ – and you get through it. You literally never know when your year is your year to go far. You get that bit of luck with the draws, or you play against the bigger boys and you get results… As I say, it's a great draw. The lads will be looking to get through on Saturday – and then hope for another good draw

captain

RedBull_UK3383_ZERO_Crystal Palace Match Day Programme_148x105mm_AW.indd 1

08/01/2025 09:51

INSIDE PALACE

inside palace

palace academy With so much talent coming through at Crystal Palace, it’s time to grill the next generation on the key questions past, present and future. This week, Under-18s forward Benji Casey takes on our quickfire questions…

FACT FILE

past childhood idol? Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s always been him. He scores so many goals and I love the way he plays.

present strongest attribute? My pace, passion and energy on the pitch.

i model my game on... Kylian Mbappé and Victor Osimhen – both of them play with a lot of pace and passion, and they score a lot of goals.

favourite palace player? Ebere Eze, he’s always a threat in the middle and he creates so many chances for us.

favourite hobby? Gaming, I’ve been playing NBA 2K25, EA FC25, Call of Duty, all sorts.

future in five years time... I want to be playing first-team football, ideally for Palace – that would be the dream.

first team?

benji casey age

nationality

17 position

striker

Lambeth Tigers, we always won a lot of games and I just enjoyed playing football so much back then.

first match you played in? I joined Palace at Under-9 level at the end of the season and it was against Arsenal. I scored my first goal in that game, it was great experience and that’s where it all took off.

champions league or world cup? World Cup, no doubt.

i want to improve... My overall game as a striker. You’ve got to be able to hold up the ball, get in behind, pass and move, impact the game – all of these things contribute to being a complete striker.

manager or pundit? Pundit, I can’t be a manager! It’s a lot easier being a pundit I think.

inside palace

fixtures&results

pos Club

GD Pts

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture International Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

mci

ful

whu

u21s

u18s AUGUST

AUGUST Tue 20

Stevenage

0-1

Sat 17

Tottenham Hotspur

4-6

Southampton

1-1

Fri 23

Blackburn Rovers

7-2

Sat 24

Fri 30

Leeds United

1-1

Wed 28 Birmingham City

3-0

Sat 31

3-0

SEPTEMBER Tue 17

Real Sociedad

2-2

Fri 20

Reading

1-1

Tue 24

Gillingham

3-1

Mon 30 Nottingham Forest

2-1

OCTOBER Sat 5

Brighton & Hove Albion

0-10

Fri 18

Sporting CP

1-2

Fri 25

Southampton

2-0

NOVEMBER

Reading

SEPTEMBER Sat 14

Norwich City

4-2

Sat 21

Fulham

0-6

Sat 28

Aston Villa

1-3

OCTOBER Sat 5

Liverpool

2-5

Sat 26

Leicester City

1-1

NOVEMBER Sat 2

Arsenal

1-1

Sat 9

West Bromwich Albion

2-2

Fri 1

Tottenham Hotspur

5-1

Sat 23

Arsenal

2-0

Tue 5

Peterborough United

1-4

Sat 30

Brighton & Hove Albion W

2-0

Fri 29

Newcastle United

0-1

DECEMBER Fri 6

Manchester City

0-1

3-1

Tue 17

Chelsea

4-2

3-3

JANUARY

december Tue 10

RSC Anderlecht

Mon 16 Liverpool JANUARY Mon 6

Fulham

0-1

Fri 10

Leicester City

2-0

Fri 17

1-2

Mon 20 Wolves

RB Leipzig

0-1

Mon 27 Norwich City

2-2

FEBRUARY Mon 10 Stoke City

2-1

Mon 17 Aston Villa

3-0

Mon 24 West Bromwich Albion MARCH

Tue 14

West Ham United

5-0

Sat 18

Leicester City

2-1

Sat 25

Tottenham Hotspur

1-1

mun

che

sou

bha

20 25

cry

sun

ars

lei

liv

-1

wol

-2

new

-3 20

nfo

lee

-1

eve

-3

wba

-3

rea

-8

der

-12 17 -10 15

nor

tot

10 -13 13

bla

-13

mid

10 -16

avl

10 -21

sto

-21

GD Pts

FEBRUARY Sat 1

Southampton

1-1

pos Club

Sat 8

Reading

0-0

avl

cry

sou

ful

tot

che

ars

bha

whu

-6

Sat 15

Norwich City

Sat 22

Aston Villa

1-4

MARCH Sat 1

Fulham

Sat 8

West Ham United

Sat 15

Chelsea

Mon 3

Arsenal

APRIL

Sun 16

Manchester City

Sat 5

West Bromwich Albion

lei

-5

Thu 17

Arsenal

nor

-2

rea

-14 13

wba

-13

APRIL Fri 4

West Ham United

Mon 14 Chelsea

MAY Sat 3

Brighton & Hove Albion

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 21st February.

inside palace

palace academy Going on loan is a golden opportunity for any young player at the start of their career. It’s an introduction to first-team football, giving them a chance to develop themselves and their game at a rapid rate.

esurun Rak-Sakyi made the move to Championship side Sheffield United back in August, following a strong pre-season at Palace where he scored three goals in two games. He has since made himself a fan favourite at Bramall Lane, getting regular minutes and playing a key role in the Blades’ push for promotion back to the Premier League. In the first of our new three-part series Loan Life, Palace TV caught up with Rak-Sakyi, getting an unprecedented insight into his time at Sheffield United. We also hear the thoughts of his manager Chris Wilder and Crystal Palace Director of U21 Development Mark Bright midway through his loan spell. “Jes had to look at the teams who were asking for him to go to them on loan and work out the best place that he felt he might play and start, and he chose Sheffield United.” Bright explained. Expanding on the process of getting the loan over the line, Wilder added: “I knew about Jes from his loan period at Charlton Athletic, when they were in League One, so I know how well he did there, and I knew a couple of people there at the time as well.

“Position-specific, he was what we were looking for. Jes ticked all the boxes. He was on our radar for quite a while. We understood that and, from our point of view, we had to sell what our football club was about.” Rak-Sakyi’s loan spell in 2022/23 at Charlton saw him score 15 goals and register 10 assists in 49 games across all competitions, winning both the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards. The forward was also nominated for the EFL’s Young Player of the Season award after his stellar campaign in League One for The Addicks. “Obviously it’s a step up from League One. Just playing at this level in the Championship, the intensity is very high,” said Rak-Sakyi. “There are a lot of good players in the league so I’m just trying to be better than I was in the previous week and building game by game is really helping my development. “I’m in better shape now than I was last season and just playing week in, week out is obviously good for my development. It’s good for the team as well, because I have good support, good players around me which help make it easier for me when I step out on the pitch.”

I’m in better shape now than I was last season and just playing week in week out is obviously good for my development. It’s good for the team as well, because I have good support, good players around me Barring an injury which kept him out for a month, Rak-Sakyi has featured in every game he has been fit for across all competitions – scoring six goals and assisting two at the time of writing. He netted in the 3-0 win over Oxford United, the game which features in our first Loan Life episode, which sent the Blades to the top of the Championship table. “He took his goal really well and could have scored another. He had a better chance earlier and pulled it wide, but lots of touches in the firsthalf, lots of touches in the second.” said Bright on Rak-Sakyi’s performance. “They dominated the game, they’re very disciplined as a team and

inside palace

the manager does what he does - he changes the forwards on 60-62 minutes so you can tell if you don’t score, you’re going to be annoyed, but I think he’s done enough. “He has put them on top of the table and they’re very happy with him as well. All the staff have told me, the coaches, the manager, how happy they are, what a great person and great player he is.” Elaborating on his tactical methods, Wilder added: “The way the game goes now, especially how we play, with the amount of energy, the intensity of the Championship and how we want the players to play, the majority of changes are made at the top of the pitch.” Rak-Sakyi buys into the approach, saying: “It’s a long season, there’s a lot of games so he wants to keep us as fresh as he can, because we’re a pressing team and he wants the intensity. “When we’re pressing teams, we have to be aggressive all game for 90 minutes. Obviously, I’ve mostly been playing for 60 minutes.” Wilder continued to wax lyrical about the young winger, saying: “We’d like him to contribute with goals and assists, we brought him in to do that, but there’s a defensive aspect of it that he’s got to be responsible for as well. “We want him to enjoy his time here, to enjoy the experience, and to enjoy playing at a fabulous football club. He’s come from a great club, and hopefully he’s seen us in that light as well – and come to play well, gain experience and win, which he has.”

u21s Name

u18s apps goals

Name

apps goals

Kai-Reece ADAMS-COLLMAN

Dean BENAMAR

Benji CASEY

Freddie COWIN

Euan DANAHER

Matteo DASHI

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

Jesse DERRY

Malcolm EBIOWEI

Joel DRAKES-THOMAS

Chima EZE

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

Craig FARQUHAR

Chris FRANCIS

Jacob FASIDA

Joe GIBBARD

Zack HENRY

Jake GRANTE

Marcus HILL (GK)

Sean GREHAN

Mofe JEMIDE

Jackson IZQUIERDO (GK)

Jasper JUDD

Mofe JEMIDE

Joe KHOSHABA (GK)

Caleb KPORHA

Finley MARJORAM

George KING

Zach MARSH

Enrique LAMEIRAS

Asher AGBINONE

Victor AKINWALE

Cormac AUSTIN

Luke BROWNE

Rio CARDINES

Jesse DERRY

Justin DEVENNY

Roshaun MATHURIN

Jack MASON (GK)

Louie MOULDEN (GK)

David MONTJEN

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

Joshua MUWANA

Adler NASCIMENTO

David OBOU

Ademola OLA-ADEBOMI

Stuart ODURO

Luke PLANGE

Chuks OKOLI

Jadan RAYMOND

Jerome OSEI

Dylan REID

Caleb REDHEAD

Kaden RODNEY

Sean SOMADE

Joe SHERIDAN

Charlie WALKER-SMITH

Franco UMEH

Jemiah UMOLU

Harry WHITWORTH (GK)

Jack WELLS-MORRISON

Tyler WHYTE

Seb WILLIAMS

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 21 February. st

inside palace

palace women For Elise Hughes, football has always been a way of life. From kicking a ball around with her dad, Big Pete, in Connah’s Quay, to representing Wales at just 16, her journey has been one of relentless dedication and passion…

ootball, like life, has its highs and lows. For Hughes, the lowest point came with the dreaded three-letter diagnosis: ACL, an injury she sustained in the firsthalf of Palace’s away win at Lewes on 21st April 2024. “It’s a long journey and it’s obviously a journey that quite a few female football players go through now,” said Hughes, reflecting on her recovery from an injury that sidelined her for almost 10 months. “I’m lucky enough to have an amazing medical team and the facilities here to help me get through, but yeah, this is where I spent every day in the summer, just to feel this moment again.” It was a cruel twist of fate. Hughes had been flying for Palace, leading the Barclays Women’s Championship Golden Boot race, and cementing herself as a pivotal figure for both club and country. Then, in a single moment, everything changed. Hughes said: “You never think it’s going to happen to you. For so long, I was always quite empathetic and sympathetic to people that had done it. “But I never understood how they felt. And to be honest, I didn’t want to understand how they felt.”

The reality hit quickly. Hughes, who had spent years working her way up through the ranks, suddenly found herself on the sidelines, navigating the gruelling road to recovery. She said: “It was obviously really tough to take. The first few weeks were such a rollercoaster for me. “It was like, ‘you’ve won the league, you’ve done your ACL, you’ve won all the individual awards,’ then you have your operation. And then it’s like learning to walk again.” But Hughes is nothing if not resilient. She poured herself into rehab, sacrificing her summer to ensure she could return as quickly – and as strongly – as possible. “It was just me and my physio for all of May, June, July. And we smashed it out,” she said. Now, she’s on the other side of that journey. The hard work has paid off and Hughes is back, ready to make her mark on Palace’s first-ever WSL campaign. Hughes said: “Obviously when the team got promoted, I thought, ‘I want to play as much part of the WSL journey as I can.’ “And then little things along the way then obviously motivate me even more. And I say little things, but it’s like

the massive summer that Wales have got ahead.” Her return couldn’t be timed better. Wales, for whom she has 23 caps to date, are preparing for a historic summer looking forward to their first ever appearance at the UEFA Women’s Euros. Naturally, Hughes is eager to be part of it. “Everything now more than ever... not that I was ever taking anything for granted before, but now when you suffer such a setback at such a stage of my career, I’m obviously more ambitious and more excited and raring to go than ever,” she said. But this forward is not solely focused on her own playing career. Beyond her personal goals and aspirations, Hughes is committed to growing the women’s game. Her roots in Connah’s Quay in Northern Wales remain strong, and she’s actively involved in coaching the next generation. She said: “It was because obviously my brother plays for Connah’s Quay, so that was how I first got involved with them, my local team, the local Cymru Academy. “And I always wanted to be involved in other aspects of football because I’m so obsessed with it.

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“So, it’s not always just playing, it was then like ‘how can I be involved in other aspects?’ And then it fell into coaching.” Her work has helped expand opportunities for young female players in North Wales, an area historically dominated by men’s football. “Connah’s Quay was quite dominated in boys’ football and men’s football at the time and then I was the first female staff member there, and I think it shined a light on the fact that women play football as well. “Now there’s hundreds and hundreds of girls that train there every week, and they’ve obviously got the 19s scholarship programme and now the women’s team,” she said. Now, with her return to fitness, Hughes is focused on making up for lost time. She’s ready to play her part in the rest of Palace’s Barclays Women’s Super League campaign and hopefully secure a spot in the Wales squad for this summer’s trip to Switzerland. She said: “It’s actually a perfect time for me to return. I’ve got the last stretch of the season and then hopefully a busy footballing summer as well.” For Hughes, the journey has been anything but smooth. But if there’s one thing she’s proven, it’s that she’s more than capable of overcoming any challenge that comes her way. Palace and Wales fans alike will be thrilled to see her back where she belongs – on the pitch, putting the ball in the back of the net

fixtures&results Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) SEPTEMBER

playerstats Name

apps goals

Chloe ARTHUR

Izzy ATKINSON

Sun 22

Tottenham Hotspur

0-4

Annabel BLANCHARD

Fri 27

Chelsea

0-7

My CATO

Aimee EVERETT

Mille GEJL

Fliss GIBBONS

Josie GREEN

Shanade HOPCROFT

Elise HUGHES

Clarissa LARISEY

Abbie LARKIN

Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)

Hayley NOLAN

Aniek NOUWEN

Ria ÖLING

october Wed 2 Sun 6 Sun 13 Sun 20

Aston Villa

Leicester City Brighton & Hove Albion Liverpool

W L D

0-2 2-0 0-1 1-1

november Sun 3

Manchester City

0-3

Sun 10

Everton

1-1

Sun 17

Aston Villa

2-3

Sun 24

Charlton Athletic

2-0

december Sun 8

West Ham United

2-5

Lexi POTTER

Wed 11 Tottenham Hotspur

0-2

Indiah-Paige RILEY

0-1

Molly-Mae SHARPE

Katie STENGEL

Allyson SWABY

Katrine VEJE

Ashleigh WEERDEN

Lily WOODHAM

Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)

Shae YAÑEZ (GK)

Sun 15

Manchester United

january Tue 14 Sun 19 Sun 26

Sheffield United Arsenal

W L

Tottenham Hotspur

6-1 0-5 2-3

february Sun 2

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

Sun 9

Newcastle United

2-0

Sun 16

Manchester United

1-3

march P

GD Pts

che

33 40

mun

Aston Villa

ars

25 30

Sat 22

Everton

mci

Sun 30

Arsenal

bha

-5

tot

-12 17

Sun 2

Liverpool

Sun 9

Chelsea

Sun 16

pos Club

april Sun 20 Sun 27

Chelsea West Ham United

may

liv

-11

whu

-9

eve

-10 13

lei

-10 12

Sun 4

Leicester City

avl

-12 10

Sun 11

Manchester City

cry

10 -26 6

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 21st February.

inside palace

palace for life

donate to palace for life below

Students from Addington Valley Academy, Croydon, were recently invited down to the Crystal Palace training ground to experience men’s first-team training.

ucky students from Addington Valley Academy recently had the chance to meet their heroes at Palace training ground Copers Cope. Addington Valley Academy is a co-educational Special School with places for children and young people aged 2-19 who have autism and social communication, cognitive, sensory and social, emotional, and behavioural needs in the Croydon area. From watching football training drills led by manager Oliver Glasner, to making jokes with Ebere Eze

and co, their students enjoyed a ‘fantastique’ day! Addington Valley Academy is just one school Palace For Life work with as part of our work in schools supporting people with disabilities. Two years ago, the school opened their very own ‘Palace Class’, where some of our sessions with students at the school take place. These sessions help improve young people’s motor skills and physical fitness, as well as building their self-esteem and provide opportunities to interact with new friends and the wider community

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If you want to find out more how we use football to improve the lives of young South Londoners, please scan the QR code below.

100 years of selhurst park

100 YEARS OF Selhurst Park

As Selhurst Park celebrates its 100 th year during the 2024/25 campaign, club historian Ian King is looking back at a century of history from 1924 to the current day. This week Ian takes a look at the various sports, football aside, to have been played at Selhurst Park down the years…

BASEBALL Back in July 1942, on American Independence Day, a baseball match between the American and Canadian Armies took place in SE25. Over 6,000 spectators were present for the three-hour game with monies being raised for War charities while the respective National Anthems were played beforehand – the Americans winning 19-17, for the record. Nets were erected around the ground but one spectator was still injured by a flying ball. Another baseball fixture was arranged for 9th May 1964 between a South of England team and the U.S. Navy.

BICYCLE POLO After the war the club’s controversial chairman Percy Harper was set on making greater use of Selhurst Park, so much so that in the summer of 1946 bicycle polo fixtures from the London League took place. Naturally, the team was called Crystal Palace and there were encounters with Spurs and Charlton as well as an England France international fixture. Towards the end of 1947, Harper had the idea to introduce

Speedway at the ground in the summer of 1948. That January, in a full-page spread in the matchday programme, he implored fans to write to Croydon Council by the 15th prior to the Council meeting later that month. However, it was rejected

as residents had objected, citing noise issues. Another of Harper’s schemes around this time was to have greyhound racing – fellow Londoners Chelsea already had a track – but, maybe thankfully, it came to nothing.

100 years of selhurst park

cricket The first sighting of cricketers at Selhurst came in February 1961, a benefit football match took place that included well-known cricketers and tennis players, as well as a sprinkling of footballers. Then in July 1964 a benefit cricket match for Surrey and England international Ken Barrington was held in South London that featured a few Palace players along with ‘66 World Cup winners Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore. In 1981, two cricket matches again used the Selhurst Park turf, the first in May held under floodlights in which a Surrey C.C. XI played a Rest of World team, then in September the Lambert & Butler Cup was a cricket competition held on football grounds such as The Hawthorns and Ashton Gate as well as Selhurst Park. Again, netting was provided for the safety of spectators

Boxing Boxing was first advertised at Selhurst for 6th June, 1948, promising a star line-up and cover for 6,000 spectators, with another tournament taking place in July 1949 with monies raised for local charities. Then only last June there was the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship bout on the pitch when Briton Chris Billam-Smith retained against Palace fan Richard Riakporhe.

100 years of selhurst park

ian king’s Selhurst Squad

More than 900 players have graced the turf at Selhurst Park across a century of special memories, but who makes Ian King’s squad of the finest in each position?

ne of Palace’s best value buys in recent years, James began his career with Hamilton Academicals in 2005, before moving to Wigan Athletic in 2010 with whom he was an FA Cup winner, amassing over 300 senior appearances for the two clubs. In the summer of 2014, a proposed transfer to Leicester City broke down and Palace swooped in on deadline day to secure his services for £7million. He netted his first goal in December by which time, under Neil Warnock, the Eagles were slipping down the table – with Alan Pardew soon to replace Warnock. By now Macca had struck up a midfield partnership with Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley, nicknamed ‘McJedley’ by the fans who appreciated McArthur’s versatility in being both defensive and offensive in midfield. The resurgence under Pardew rolled over to the following campaign but in February 2016 he suffered with an ankle ligament injury. Despite this, he was able to return in time for the FA Cup final at Wembley. In 2016/17, Macca chipped in with five goals but after Sam Allardyce took over as manager that December, the arrival of fellow midfielder Luka Milivojevic restricted his appearances.

james

McArthur position

nationality

Following the best forgotten brief period under Frank de Boer, Roy Hodgson gave McArthur a new lease of life as he made over 30 appearances. Memorably, McArthur scored after only 50 seconds of play against Everton in November 2017. Although Palace would only go on to draw the game, 2-2, against the Toffees. It kickstarted a run of only one defeat in the next 10 games – Macca playing a vital role as the Eagles turned their season around. He netted five goals in total that season, the final one coming in a 5-0 demolition of Leicester which all but secured safety. The 2018/19 campaign witnessed Palace amass a total of 49 points

with Macca and Milivojevic featuring alongside each other in 36 of the 38 league games that year. In the Covid-hit season of 2019/20, James was again an almost ever-present, missing just one Premier League fixture. Sadly, the same could not be said of the following two seasons as injuries resulted in long lay-offs in both. On 4th March 2023, following a hip operation, James made his third substitute appearance at Aston Villa and then announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season. In the final fixture, at home to Forest, the club gave him a chance for a proper farewell when he appeared from the bench for the final 20 minutes, ending an almost nine-year stay at Selhurst Park.

100 years of selhurst park

honourable yohan cabaye

selhurst

shaun derry

JOHN GK JACKSON

1964-1973

nigel gk martyn

1989-1996

Mentions

The tough-tackling midfielder had two spells with Palace, the first starting in 2002 after joining from Portsmouth. In his second season he made 44 appearances as the club returned to the Premier League in 2004 – but would gradually fall out of favour and joined Leeds United in February 2005. In November 2007, Derry returned to SE25, initially on loan, and a year later became club captain. In the 2009/10 Championship season he started every one of Palace’s 46 league games where his attitude and drive were vital, none more so than in the decisive final-day win at Sheffield Wednesday.

luka milivojevic Former England manager Sam Allardyce made arguably his most important signing on January transfer deadline day in 2017. Milivojevic arrived to add steel and panache to a weakening midfield and it was not long before he was installed as the penalty taker, despite having never previously taken one before his arrival. For four seasons he was a regular feature in the midfield and also wore the captain’s armband. His penalty accuracy meant that he is our leading Premier League spot-kick scorer, with 22 successes from 12 yards (including 17 over two campaigns). In his last two seasons, appearances became somewhat restricted - and in the summer of 2023 he departed South London for the middle east.

Having made a name with Newcastle United under Alan Pardew there was a sense of expectation when Cabaye renewed his connection with his former manager at Selhurst Park in July 2015, joining from PSG. Netting on his debut against Norwich, his class seemed to rub off on the players as the club ended the season at Wembley. Unable to reach the heights of his first season, he was still a vital cog for the next two seasons as the club continued to lay the foundations to becoming a solid top-flight outfit. Following the exit of Frank de Boer, the incoming Roy Hodgson restored Cabaye to the side and he was involved in the best team goal of the season in the 5-0 rout of Leicester.

mile jedinak Australian Jedinak joined the Eagles in the summer of 2011 and his exceptional work-rate and tackling ability led to him being made captain the following season. He led Palace to the successful play-off final against Watford in 2013 and completed every Premier League game the following season, bar the final 30 minutes on the last day of the season. His outstanding free-kick against Liverpool in late 2014 was voted the club’s Goal of the Season and he also skippered the Australian national team to the 2015 Asian Cup. Mile departed for today’s opponents Aston Villa in August 2016 and is now a coach at Spurs. In the next ISSUE Ian King reviews the best left-sided midfield options for his ultimate Selhurst 100 squad…

Squad RB

Paul HINSHELWOOD 1973-1983

joel ward

2012-

kenny lb sansom

1975-1980

lb richard shaw

1987-1995

CB MEL BLYTH

1968–1974 1977-1978

cb jim cannon

1973-1988

cb eric young

1990-1995

rm peter taylor

1973-1976

rm attilio lombardo

1997-1999

cm steve kember

1963–1971 1978-1980

cm geoff thomas

1987-1993

cm james m©arthur

2014-2023

..................... .....................

100 years of selhurst park

stories of Selhurst Park

Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, whose stories stretch back a century. To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, at today’s game, 10 new fans from the community, who have never been to a Palace match before, are being welcomed at Selhurst Park. We spoke to Katey Murray, representing Proud and Palace…

i, I’m Katey, or Kate, Murray. I’m 41, and I have currently been working at the club for over six years as a steward in the Executive Boxes. I’m also working as a freelance 3D animator. I’m a lifelong Palace fan – apparently, my biological father took me to my first game in 1985 (against possibly Millwall) when I was age three! He used to make me wear a hat and tell everyone I was a little boy. I didn’t get to any other games after that until 2010, when I went with some friends but, due to anxiety issues, it took me another eight years to go, when I finally got the courage to attend a game again with my brother Daniel. Then, that was it: my anxiety was over and I was in love. It was this year that I got an offer of a steward’s role with the club so, since then, I think I can count on one hand how many games I’ve missed. I was even there for all the lockdown games! A few seasons ago, I started stewarding with the away team so I’m lucky enough to get to be at away games as well – technically working, but I’m still there! I do go to most of the London away games as a fan as well. Last season it was Fulham, via a river boat trip!

My favourite Palace memory is definitely ‘Crystanbul’, the day we broke Liverpool’s hearts, with the Championship play-off semi-final against an unspecified team on the south coast a close second! However, I think the game that was the most special to me was that first one back with my brother – an FA Cup third round game against Grimsby

– as it got me back in the stadium and is something we both talk about a lot. I first heard about Proud and Palace back in 2019, when they put out a message announcing they were attending the London Pride parade. They were asking for anyone who was part of the LGBTQ+ community, or any allies, to join the walking group. I emailed Mark, who is one of the group

100 years of selhurst park

chairs, saying I was interested and in July of that year, I joined the group and staff from the club in the parade. Since then, one of the big things that I have seen is the group grow in numbers. We have a WhatsApp chat and it’s gone from a handful of members to a large group of such different people, but we all have common interests. We definitely have more trans members of the group, as well as allies. It sounds very cliché, but we are like one big family. I love how everyone supports one another – it’s a beautiful thing. There’ve been times when I’ve been unwell, and the group have rallied around to make sure I had what I needed. The level of support that I was given when I was once homophobically attacked was just an outpour of love, and it would have been something I would have struggled to get through without the group’s support. How much we all love and support each other, as such a big group of people, is certainly something I’ve never experienced before, and having a safe space where I can be myself without judgment is something I know I hold, as does all the group, very dear. LGBTQ+ History Month means a lot to me personally, as I grew up in a time when it was an issue not really spoken about! I see it as a chance for education, and to show people who still have a lot of prejudice against it that there have always been LGBTQ+ people – and there always will be! We really are just normal people living our lives, and who just want to be free to love who we choose or be the sex that we are. I see it as a time to celebrate and educate, but also to continue the fight.

We have the chance to celebrate where we currently are in the present by showing people they have role models from the past who they can look up to As a collective, Proud and Palace felt that LGBTQ+ History Month was about taking lessons from our history to inspire our efforts now. When you look at the tenacity and the fearlessness of the activists who fought for our rights in the past, it holds up the standard we all need to aspire to now while our community is under attack. I always get asked why there are two months dedicated to LGBTQ+. Basically, Pride Month is to do with the Stonewall riots in 1969, whereas LGBTQ+ History Month is looking at our past, present and future. It’s a chance

to celebrate historical people who had to keep their identities hidden, or even those who tried to stand up and fight for the rights we have today. We have the chance to celebrate where we currently are in the present by showing people they have role models from the past who they can look up to. While things are moving in a more accepting way, there is still a lot of work to be done. I think football clubs are currently doing a lot of decent work in terms of activism and social change, but I think they still can do more. I try not to hide away from being myself but it is still a struggle within society, and even having just one day where I’m able to basically say ‘I’m here, this is what I am and I’m not going anywhere’ – being able to show that I have the right to be myself, and no-one has the right to take that away from me – is pure joy, having time being at peace with myself and having no fear of judgment

To find out more about Proud and Palace, follow them on X or visit the Proud and Palace website.

100 years of selhurst park

from the Archive

When Palace welcomed Aston Villa to Selhurst Park back in 2019, the matchday programme spoke to defender Gary Cahill – at the time a new signing for the Eagles – about breaking through at Aston Villa and his defensive influences. Here is that interview…

ary Cahill’s professionalism has been obvious to all those who have known him during his career. And nothing has changed since his arrival in South London. Sitting on the canteen balcony at Copers Cope, Cahill begins the interview with a statement that highlights his professionalism; a player excited by a new challenge at 33-years-old: “Any club is different,” he says. “It’s a matter of you adapting to those changes from styles of play to new teammates, and you wanting to get your teeth stuck-in to that new challenge.” The way Cahill conducts himself makes it clear as to why Crystal Palace moved to have a serial winner of the Premier and Champions League, and former England captain, on their books. It makes it even funnier when through a window just over Cahill’s right shoulder pops through James McArthur, and in his unmissable thick Scottish accent, Macca jokingly mocks our summer recruit. Cover blown; seasoned pros, going through their umpteenth interview, can’t help but let their guard down when Macca is about.

Any club is different, It’s a matter of you adapting to those changes from styles of play to new teammates, and you wanting to get your teeth stuck-in to that new challenge

100 years of selhurst park

Furthermore, this is confirmation, like it was even needed, that Cahill has settled in fast with the Palace way of life, and his teammates have welcomed him as a defender and a personality to the dressing room. McArthur heads off and focus turns to Cahill’s first few weeks in south London. Stifling the final few laughs from Macca’s input, Cahill continues: “I’ve settled in really well; the lads have been great to me: very welcoming and an easy bunch to get on with. “I could see that there was a good spirit here from the moment I arrived.” Cahill arrives with a wealth – and envious amount – of experience, but the 33-year-old is joining a Palace defensive unit that in Joel Ward, Patrick van Aanholt, James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann and Martin Kelly currently has 725 combined appearances for the Eagles. Letting go of years of fine-tuned habits at Chelsea must be hard for Cahill, years of lining-up alongside players such Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz, but this ‘reset’ is something he is relishing: “When you come into any defensive unit, you begin training with another to work out and learn about everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. For me, that’s how a good partnership and back four can work. “These are players who have played many, many games in the Premier League, so I come in with the desire to adapt and to learn about how these guys and this team want to defend and how I can play my part in that.” Cahill joined the Villa setup as a 13-year-old, before eventually leaving for Bolton Wanderers after an eight-

year spell at Villa Park, and it’s a time he looks back on with fondness: “The majority of my memories are from the youth team, because I was only in the first-team for a small number of games. However, it was an important time for me in terms of growing as a player. “I came straight from school, moved into the club’s digs and then went through the youth team stages, to the reserves and then to training

I came straight from school, moved into the club’s digs and then went through the youth team stages, to the reserves and then to training with the first-team with the first-team. After a loan to Burnley for six months, I came back and managed to make my Villa debut, which was a real standout moment for me.” Cahill came through at Villa with an age group that would go on to have varying levels of success at the top level – not all academy graduates can end up being Premier and Champions League winners. Our summer signing recognises how important working with such a talented crop of youngsters had on his development, driving one another on: “Villa had a fantastic academy. When

you look at the actual number of lads that make it through the academy setups [into the Premier League], it’s so, so low. “However, at Villa during that time they had two or three age groups that saw a large number of players come through. “That’s a credit to them and their setup; I had a great education because of it, training with the likes of Gareth Barry, who was in the same digs that I was in, Liam Ridgewell, Jamie Ward, Steven Davis, Gabby Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and I’m probably missing some out. Just naming those guys, though, is a large number alone.” Always looking to progress, Cahill would analyse the senior pros ahead of him. They were already living his dream, and he wanted to replicate them: “Martin Laursen was there when I was there. “And when I was a younger player at Villa I remember Gareth Southgate being there with Ugo Ehiogu. “The youth team would be encouraged to go and watch the first team play on a Saturday, so I’d go along with my dad and that was very important for my development.” If the likes of Martin Laursen were now youngsters coming through the ranks at Crystal Palace, there’s no doubt they’d be looking towards the way Gary Cahill plays and conducts himself as a professional. Arguably, the Palace centre-half has now gone further than those he idolised and looked to replicate growing up

*Originally printed 31st August, 2019.

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• Full use of 5 LONDON VENUES: M City, L’Escargot, Soho, Crown Aspinalls, Mayfair and Argyll Street, Oxford Circus & Shoreditch Arts Club. • Full use of Regency Club, Deansgate, MANCHESTER Ambler Club, Park Square, LEEDS 501 Lounge, Edgbaston Stadium, BIRMINGHAM Wilson Club, Exchange Flags, LIVERPOOL Milburn Lounge, The Riverside Stadium, DURHAM The Hayes, St. David’s Centre (Upstairs at Gaucho), CARDIFF Wilde’s, The Parade, LEAMINGTON SPA Brocket Hall, WELWYN GARDEN CITY. • Massive discounts for all SPORTS EVENTS with A list sports stars - lunches, dinners, breakfasts, book signings and evening events. • A proactive networking mechanism with personal intros, BUSINESS MATCHMAKING and an exclusive directory of members.

• Access to our exclusive Concierge Service. • Special offers at TOP HOTELS. • Enrolment to The Sporting Club Wine Society. • M DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP - Members of The Sporting Club can also sign up for free Diamond Membership at M & Gaucho which enables a 20% discount on all food across the group. • Bi-monthly members events. • Members referral scheme. • Boardrooms available nationwide. • MEMBERSHIP (with NO joining fee) £1,500 + VAT £2,000 + VAT is up to 3 members £4,000 + VAT is 4 to 6 £6,000 + VAT is 7 to 9 Lump sum or monthly direct debits.

info@thesportingclub.co | www.thesportingclub.co @thesporting_club

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eagle arcade

9 letters collymore, routledge, southgate

Another matchday is upon us at Selhurst Park, so it’s time to get your heads in the game – can you tackle all our tough teasers below?

wordfit Can you fit these 10 names to have played for both Palace and Aston Villa into the puzzle?

7 letters benteke, bolasie, grabban, jedinak 6 letters bannan, cahill 4 letters ayew

career ladder

a y e w

Guess the ex-Palace player based on their former clubs!

SPOT THE BALL Prove that you are eagle-eyed – which ball is the real one?

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quiz-talpalace 1

Where do Aston Villa play home matches?

Who do Aston Villa contest the ‘Second City derby’ with?

today’s mascots kylan Gould prediction: age: 12

How many times have Aston Villa won the FA Cup?

Which player won the most England caps, while playing for Aston Villa?

In what year did Aston Villa win the European Cup?

Which German side did they beat to win the trophy?

2-1

3-2

Mason O’Connor-Gould prediction:

Who scored Aston Villa’s goal in that final?

Who has made the most appearances for Villa in the Premier League?

Villa manager Unai Emery previously managed which Premier League club?

Who has scored the most goals for Villa in the Premier League?

age: 10

3-1

Malakai Welling prediction: age: 9

2-1

harrison Day-Morgan prediction: age: 8

2-1

10) Gabriel Agbonlahor (74) 7) Peter Withe 8) Gareth Barry 9) Arsenal 4) Sir Gareth Southgate 5) 1982 6) Bayern Munich

angelo Manca-Wilcox

1) Villa Park 2) Birmingham City 3) Seven Quiz:

prediction:

Spot the Ball: C Career Ladder: Barry Bannan age: 7

1-2

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what’son? Every day is a busy one at the Palace, from matchdays – Men’s, Women’s and Academy – to anniversaries, birthdays to events. Keep track of everything happening at the club right here…

palace √ villa

fulham √ palace u18s

palace √ millwall

tue 25 feb | 19:30

sat 01 mar | 11:00

sat 01 mar | 12:15

premier league

u18 premier league

emirates fa cup

LIVE audio commentary

LIVE match broadcast

palace u21s √ arsenal

palace u18s √ west ham

palace √ ipswich

mon 03 mar | 19:00

sat 08 mar | 11:00

sat 08 mar | 15:00

premier league 2

u18 premier league

premier league

LIVE match broadcast

LIVE audio commentary

To follow Palace’s Premier League clashes, the hunt for Academy silverware and our first season in the Women’s Super League, subscribe to Palace TV+ by scanning here:

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First Palace Premier League win on a Leap Year – away at Brighton.

Franco Umeh turns 20.

saturday, 01 march

29 february, 2020

26 february

World Wildlife Day.

Billy Davies became the first international player in our professional era.

Dylan Reid turns 20.

monday, 03 march

07 march, 1908

01 march

International Women’s Day.

Eric Young’s goal secures first ever league double over Liverpool.

Jack Butland turns 32.

saturday, 08 march

14 march, 1992

10 march

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from the terraces The page for supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. Want to get in touch? Use the details below. To the one and only Davin Finn – Happy birthday hope your day is as special as you are xx

Congratulations to Becca and Rob on the birth of their little eagle Lottie born 26th January 2025.

Happy 18th Birthday Jack Wisbey, celebrating his first evening as an adult here at Place tonight! Love Mum, Dad, Joe and all the Palace Crew.

Dear Jonny, wishing you a very Happy 11th Birthday, all our love Mum, Dad and all the family in Box 18. Xx

Happy birthday Dan 28 today big fan of eagles lots of love from your two mums xxxx

Wishing David Mitchell a big Happy 80th Birthday with love from his daughter Lucy Mitchell

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Wishing Hope a very Happy 40th birthday. Have a day that’s as special as you are. Love from your family xxxxx

Happy 21st birthday Uncle Connor for the 27th February love your Niece Poppy, Mum, Dean, Catherine and Matt xxx Big Happy 10th Birthday Harley Love From Mummy, Daddy, Nanny, Auntie Rou Rou, Uncle Mick and Family xx

Rest in peace Gary Fisher who passed away in May 2024. Stayed loyal to his CPFC roots despite moving to Redditch at an early age. RIP Gazza. From Mark and all who knew him.

A very big Happy 16th Birthday Harrison. You deserve the world and more. Have the best birthday ever. Enjoy the match, you are a true Crystal Palace Supporter for years. We love you lots. Love Mum, Dad, Nana, Grandad, Lillie & Rio xxxx

Happy 11th birthday Alexander Love Mum, Dad and Isabelle.

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

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24/25 fixtures & results

ALL-TIME

may

april

mar

february

january

december

november

october

september

august

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) Started Used sub Unused sub Goal(s) Yellow card Red card Date

Opposition

attendance/KICK-OFF

Sun 18

Brentford

16,988

Result 1-2

Position 13th

Sat 24

West Ham United

25,099

0-2

17th Second round

Tue 27

Norwich City

12,503

4-0

Sun 1

Chelsea

39,298

1-1

16th

Sat 14

Leicester City

25,124

2-2

16th

Tue 17

Queens Park Rangers

13,945

2-1

Third round

Sat 21

Manchester United

25,172

0-0

16th

Sat 28

Everton

38,954

1-2

18th

Sat 5

Liverpool

25,185

0-1

18th

Mon 21

Nottingham Forest

29,443

0-1

18th

Sun 27

Tottenham Hotspur

25,108

1-0

17th

Wed 30

Aston Villa

34,851

2-1

Fourth round

Sat 2

Wolverhampton Wanderers

29,505

2-2

17th

Sat 9

Fulham

25,142

0-2

18th

Sat 23

Aston Villa

42,175

2-2

19th

Sat 30

Newcastle United

25,101

1-1

17th

Tue 3

Ipswich Town

29,533

1-0

17th

Sat 7

Manchester City

25,142

2-2

16th

Sun 15

Brighton & Hove Albion

30,893

3-1

15th Quarter-final

Wed 18

Arsenal

59,298

2-3

Sat 21

Arsenal

25,167

1-5

16th

Thu 26

Bournemouth

11,129

0-0

16th

Sun 29

Southampton

25,130

2-1

15th

Sat 4

Chelsea

25,179

1-1

15th

Sun 12

Stockport County

21,014

1-0

Third round

Wed 15

Leicester City

29,766

2-0

12th

Sat 18

West Ham United

62,469

2-0

12th

Sun 26

Brentford

25,066

1-2

12th

Sun 2

Manchester United

73,751

2-0

12th

Mon 10

Doncaster Rovers

12,739

2-0

Fourth round

Sat 15

Everton

25,108

1-2

13th

Sat 22

Fulham