Crystal Palace travel to Villa Park on Saturday (March 4) still searching for their first Premier League victory of the year.

Palace will take solace from their point against Liverpool, but will bemoan a continued lack of goals, which has too often rendered them unable to convert solid draws into important wins.

While their lack of victories in this calendar year is well documented, they also have not scored more than one goal in a game since their New Year’s Eve win over Bournemouth.

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Top scorer Wilfried Zaha was still injured for Palace’s goalless draw against Liverpool, but even he only has six goals this season. They will hope to welcome him back, but will also be demanding better from their other forwards.

Palace's two strikers have just four league goals between them so far this season. Three of these have been for Odsonne Edouard in 22 appearances and one for Jean-Philippe Mateta in 20 appearances this season.

Jordan Ayew can also play in that position, but he has a single goal to his name in the Premier League.

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Traditionally facing an Unai Emery side, who are stereotypically organised and hard to break down, would be a bad matchup for a side lacking in goals. However, since February 4 Villa have conceded 11 goals in four league games, suggesting the team has not entirely clicked with their new manager’s style.  

Going forward, Villa have been impressive, and Ollie Watkins has five goals in five games. He will take some stopping for The Eagles on Saturday.

So how might Patrick Vieira line his team up?

Possible XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Vicente Guaita

The Spaniard has played all 24 Premier Leagues games for Palace this season and has the fourth most saves in the league with 80.

Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne, Marc Guéhi, Joachim Andersen, Tyrick Mitchell

The same back four who kept a clean sheet against Liverpool. Reuniting the Anderson-Guehi partnership is vital for Palace’s defensive solidity. Mitchell and Clyne, while at different ends of their career, have both shown signs of real quality this season.

Midfielders: Cheick Doucouré, Albert Sambi Lokonga

Doucoure has the fifth most tackles this season with 59 and has been a great addition for the Eagles, He seems to have found an ideal partner in midfield in January loan signing Lokonga. The two have complimented each other well in the last two games, Lokonga especially has received plaudits from his new fans.  

Forwards: Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew, Jeffery Schlupp

This might be a game too early again for Zaha. This trio have done well when together, but have been low on goals. Olise does have the most assists for the Eagles so far this season with six, and has a couple of goals to go with that. Ayew and Schlupp have 97 tackles between them so far this season, with the former just eight short of Doucoure. This highlights their work rate for the team, as well as an effort to win the ball higher up the field.

Striker: Odsonne Edouard

Mateta, with his one goal this season, was preferred to Edouard against Liverpool. But with the need for goals becoming an increasingly worrying factor, the former Celtic man must surely get given a run of games to show his worth.

The only argument for Mateta is his size, which might stand him in good stead against the strength of Konsa and Mings in the Aston Villa defence.