Aston Villa have a shot at the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years when they face Crystal Palace on Wednesday. The last time they reached this stage was during the 2012-13 season, when they advanced to the semi-finals but were eventually eliminated by League Two’s Bradford City.
Now, with Unai Emery at the helm, Villa sit in a strong position: they’re fourth in the Premier League, top of their Champions League group, and unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
This impressive start has been a team effort, with key contributions from players like super-sub Jhon Duran and the composed Youri Tielemans. Yet, one notable talent, Leon Bailey, has struggled to replicate last season’s success. Bailey was a standout performer in 2023-24, recording 28 goal contributions as Villa secured Champions League qualification. This season, however, he’s yet to score in his first eight league appearances and has shown a noticeable dip in confidence and form.
In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, Bailey made an impact off the bench, assisting Ross Barkley’s goal. This performance, combined with Emery’s likely squad rotation for the cup match, could earn Bailey a starting spot against Palace. A strong showing on Wednesday could help Bailey regain his place in the starting lineup, as Emery considers how to bring the best out of his underperforming winger.
Despite their recent win against Tottenham, Palace’s defense still has vulnerabilities that Bailey could exploit. Tyrick Mitchell, who often pushes forward, could leave spaces for Bailey to utilize. Last season, Bailey capitalized on similar defensive gaps when he scored in Villa’s 3-1 victory over Palace. His skill in creating opportunities from the right wing, especially by cutting in on his stronger left foot to deliver crosses, could be a key asset for Villa in this encounter.
Crystal Palace’s defensive record this season reveals further opportunities. Despite conceding only 11 goals, their expected goals against (xGA) sits at 15.98, indicating they’ve allowed opponents significant chances. Villa’s attack, led by players like Bailey, can take advantage of this and put Palace’s defense under pressure.
Over the years, Villa have had a challenging record in the Carabao Cup, often falling short. Since the semi-final loss to Bradford City in 2012-13, they’ve experienced early exits, including defeats to lower-league sides like Leyton Orient, Luton Town, and Burton Albion. Their standout run came in 2019-20, when they reached the final but lost to Manchester City. Emery now has the chance to guide Villa to the fifth round for the first time in five years, potentially breaking Villa’s streak of early eliminations.
With Wednesday’s match fast approaching, there’s a strong expectation for Villa to progress against Palace, a team currently sitting 17th in the league and recently picking up their first Premier League win. Emery, who has expressed a clear desire for silverware at Villa Park, will view the Carabao Cup as an ideal opportunity to solidify his legacy at the club.
With the possibility of a deep run in the competition, Villa’s fans are hopeful that Emery and his squad will seize this chance and secure another decisive victory at Villa Park.