It is also the most matches in which Glasner – a potential candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim at Manchester United – has faced another manager without losing, while it is also the longest streak Unai Emery has ever endured against another manager without winning.
“How Villa play fits us perfect,” Glasner said last season. The Austrian’s wing-back system and pressing style has been a stylistic nightmare for Villa’s typically narrow shape and patient build-up.
Emery, renowned for his tactical acumen, has so far been unable to find the answers. For last season’s fixture at Selhurst Park, he switched to a 3-4-3 formation to match the Eagles but reverted to a back four at half time. Palace won 4-1.
Aston Villa may sense that this time could be different. Palace are winless in their past seven games and their lengthy list of absentees includes Ismaila Sarr, Villa’s nemesis with eight career goals and three assists against them from just seven starts. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has also haunted Aston Villa in recent years, has only scored once in his past seven appearances.