Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to today's LIVE coverage of Crystal Palace v Aston Villa. Both teams have an equal number of games played; both have an equal number of points; and where Palace's goal difference is -16, Villa's is -13. It should be a tightly-fought contest, one would think - but then the visitors are without several senior players, including their leading scorer, Christian Benteke.
Premier League / Matchday 34
Selhurst Park / 12.04.2014
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/100094.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4010.png){kind=logo}
- J. Puncheon(76')
Live
Live Updates
:focal(155x147:157x145)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/03/26/1443747-30871907-310-310.jpg)
Updated 12/04/2014 at 15:59 GMT
14'
A brief interlude as we have to change the match ball.
13'
An extremely optimistic long ball hoicked forward by Grant Holt; perhaps he thinks Agbonlahor has THAT much pace that he might be able to get somewhere near it. In that case, his team-mate should be flattered.
12'
Villa have had over three-quarters of the possession so far, but no chances at all.
11'
Delph tries to spread the ball wide to the left, but it's overweighted and Bertrand can't control it.
10'
Agbonlahor moves to create something for Villa down the right. It's cleared into touch, and from Lowton's throw it's back into the midfield and a game of possession retention.
9'
Puncheon's first touch lets him down on the edge of the box, and Palace's attack loses momentum. When it gets back in from the left, Puncheon's on the far post but again can't control or direct it.
8'
Villa continue to pass the ball round well but it's not heading forward at all.
7'
Clark tries a long ball forward, but it's straight out of play.
6'
Bolasie, bundled to the floor, isn't impressed with the challenge of El Ahmadi, but referee Howard Webb sees nothing wrong with it.
5'
Jerome makes a dash for it, but Villa defend in numbers. Throw-in to Palace.
4'
Still little impetus from either side. The on-pitch action may be quiet, but the stands aren't - the Villa contigent are now trying some duelling chants.
3'
The Palace fans have not stopped singing yet. In fact, they've barely paused for breath.
2'
Tentative start here. Villa finally get hold of the ball and begin by passing it around and giving their makeshift back line a taste of possession for starters.
1'
Puncheon gets in the first cross of the afternoon, in from the right, but that's simple for Brad Guzan.
1'
So Crystal Palace kick us off this afternoon.
15.06
A minute's silence marking 25 years since the Hillsborough disaster.
15.05
The strains of 'Glad All Over' fill the air as the players take their places for the now-essential pre-match handshaking ritual.
15.00
The teams are lined up in the tunnel for this sell-out game at Selhurst Park.
14.30
Well, I said it would be a close game, but actually the history indicates otherwise. Palace have won two and lost none of their four previous Premier League meetings with Villa at Selhurst Park; and Villa have only won one of their last eight Premier League clashes with the Eagles, drawing four and losing three.
14:16
And we already have our team news - CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bolasie, Puncheon, Ledley, Jerome. Subs: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Parr, Ince, Gayle, Murray, Chamakh. /// ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Baker, Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, Bertrand, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Holt. Subs: Steer, Bennett, Sylla, Albrighton, Tonev, Bowery, Weimann.