:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48548021/VillaPalaceMatchday.0.0.jpg)
At first I was a bit irritated about having a mid-week match so soon after the FA Cup match. Aston Villa aren't a lot of fun right now and I'm not exactly going in search of more opportunities to watch them. Two days off simply didn't feel like enough.
But then I realized that we could treat today's match against Crystal Palace a little bit differently. It's not a nuisance coming only a matter of hours after yet another annoying result. No, it's a test-drive for being in the Championship next season. There we'll have four eight (whoops, there are 24 teams in the League, not the 22 I was doing the math with!) extra league matches each year while still contending with cup play. Multiple matches in a week will be the norm.
So welcome to your training session! That is unless Villa can win here. And then win a lot more. And make the idea of being in the Championship a moot point.
You'll find everything here you need to follow along with the match online. Be sure to join us in the comments, too!
Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
Kick-off time: 7:45 PM GMT, 2:45 PM Eastern, 11:45 AM Pacific
Available TV: None (UK), Premier League Extra Time (US)
Available streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra
Available radio: BBC Radio (UK), AVTV (subscription required), Westwood One Sports (US)
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.
Aston Villa squad
LIBOR KOZAK IS ALIVE!!! YOU GUYS! IT'S LIBOR KOZAK!!!Confirmed #AVFC team for tonight’s match with #CPFC. UTV! #AVLCRY pic.twitter.com/J0AhHq77VO
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 12, 2016
Crystal Palace squad
#CPFC XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney (c), Souare; Cabaye; Ledley, McArthur; Zaha; Puncheon, Sako. #AVLCRY pic.twitter.com/zFA0ptEsVv
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) January 12, 2016