Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner suggested it was unfair that Aston Villa had an extra day to prepare for their FA Cup semi-final but does that actually have an impact?
Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown addresses the issue on The Football News Show...
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We asked for your team talk to the Crystal Palace players before the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
Rich: Wake up, turn up! Believe in the system - when we do we can beat anyone. Winning this game is not the goal. Winning this game gives us an opportunity to reach our goal. We have to work for it, as individuals and as a team, all as one and really give the fans another big game and create history.
Gary: Attack. Be on the front foot. Don't give Villa time and space on the ball. Trust yourselves and your team-mates. We can do this. Come on, LET'S GO!
Al: Relax, enjoy and don't have any regrets.
Ethan: Up and at them, Palace. Be bold in the tackles and put them under pressure when out of possession. Win the 50-50s and break fast with the immense speed and talent we have in our front three. Just be patient without the ball as we have all season, and don't break your lines of defence. That will bring us glory and the FA Cup win we have long dreamed of, guys. Now go out there and make your dream a reality. No fear, no fear, no fear.
Mel: Be brave and trust your instincts. On the day, there isn't a team Palace can't match for skill, so get on your front foot and believe for the full 90 plus minutes. Eeeeeaagleessss!!
Fergus: You know what it means to the Palace fans. You've earned their respect, admiration and love. You've earned the right to lace it up on the hallowed Wembley turf. Now earn the right to come back and do it all again. Come on, you Palace.
John: Boys. This is your moment, most of you have never played a game like this before. The greats have played here, lads. Time to make your mark. Be loud. Be proud. Be Palace.
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley (kick-off 17:15 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner stated that "everyone was in good mood" for the trip to Wembley as the "goal is to win the game and get to the final".
On team news: "Ben Chilwell is back and fit [after his illness]. So, we have everyone available."
Glasner also claimed that he had never watched an FA Cup final until he got to Palace due to the unavailability of internet when he was growing up.
On playing at Wembley: "We'll enjoy it, it's the biggest stadium in England, it's very traditional and we can play in front of 40,000 Crystal Palace fans. But I don't care if we played at Selhurst Park or Villa Park, we would try to win. The approach is no different."
Glasner also tried to play down the significance of the fixture personally as this would be the "third consecutive final" he would have participated in. The German coach, however, reiterated that "it's a big game".
On Villa and preparations to face them: "They (Aston Villa) are in great shape – they have eight wins out of the last 10. They have their whole squad available. It's a game, I don't want to make it bigger than it is. We feel well prepared and we have confidence especially with the performance at the Emirates and this is how we'll enter Wembley."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
It is a landmark day at Wembley for Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final.
It means a lot, we know that. So, if you were in the changing room 15 minutes before the off, what would you say to the players?
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is looking to become the first Austrian manager to reach an FA Cup final and Austria would be the first new nation represented by a manager in the showpiece event since Germany in 2021 (Thomas Tuchel for Chelsea).
Image source, Getty ImagesLike Nottingham Forest versus Manchester City, Crystal Palace against Aston Villa is an FA Cup semi-final of contrasting styles.
Palace do not necessarily keep a lot of possession, but they have got the ability to attack at high speed.
The Eagles' supporters - and Villa's - do not get the chance to travel to Wembley all the time for big cup matches, so it will be a a huge occasion for both clubs.
Up until two or three weeks ago, Palace looked like one of the most solid teams in the Premier League.
All of a sudden, they get hit for five - two weeks in a row.
So, that has not only cast doubt over how we perceive them from the outside, but there will be players in the team who probably are not as comfortable as they were a fortnight ago. Maybe there are hints of doubt.
It is really tough to call, but it might be one of those games dictated by that first goal, because the two styles of play are not that similar.
However, the desire and the drive to try to win that game to get in the final is going to be enormous.
Palace beat Villa comfortably 4-1 at home in February so they will have a belief that they can go and do it again.
They will not fear Unai Emery's side. The biggest challenge is internal because they have never won a major trophy.
It is such a big occasion and I think that makes it a really interesting game.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Crystal Palace drew at Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Here are some of your comments:
Steve: A fighting performance from Palace and what a goal from Mateta! I felt the team deserved a draw. I'm so pleased for them, as they approach a huge game at the weekend. They need to stop conceding so easily though because Ollie Watkins and others will punish them on Saturday. Tighten up, take their chances and the FA Cup final beckons.
Mark: They worked their socks off to grab a point at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were not on their A game, but we can only perform against what is in front of us. Bring on the Villa.
Andy: A great performance with plenty of encouragement for Saturday's semi-final. No real negatives from the game, however you can see that Eddie Nketiah is lacking confidence which I believe is mainly due to game time. He creates space for the team with good runs but he needs to find the goals that he had at Arsenal. I'm confident he will though. Keep it going boys.
Milt: A brave and courageous performance from Crystal Palace against mighty Arsenal.
Rich: One of the most enjoyable performances for a while with two brilliant goals. The whole team were disciplined. We kept our shape, attacked when we had the chance and were really unlucky to only get a draw in the end. Apart from the two goals, we kept Arsenal to half chances. Eberechi Eze stepped up, Ismaila Sarr and Mateta looked great, a special mention for Daichi Kamada who was excellent, and Justin Devenny was great support defensively for Daniel Munoz. Are we hitting some form again? I hope so!
Ben: Much more like it from Palace. There was great energy to fashion several chances against a good Arsenal side. Our attack looked dangerous and our defensive shape was much-improved after recent thrashings. Overall, a massive boost ahead of the semi-final - bring it on!
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, PA MediaCrystal Palace's focus is now on a cup semi-final with Aston Villa the opposition at Wembley on Saturday.
The Eagles are safe in 12th position in the Premier League and their hopes of a path into Europe rest on winning the FA Cup.
Oliver Glasner was unlikely to change the 3-4-2-1 formation that has brought Palace some excellent results this season, though he did leave top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta on the bench.
The Eagles defended poorly at times in the first half but did have opportunities to take all three points, which would have meant Liverpool wrapping up the title.
Justin Devenny and Ismaila Sarr both had good chances in the second half with close-range headers, but neither caused Arsenal keeper Davud Raya problems.
Palace will need to defend better than at Emirates Stadium if they are to reach the FA Cup final - but Glasner will surely be pleased with the goals his side scored.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta spoke to BBC Sport about his goal that rescued a point against Arsenal: "When I started on the bench, I could see he [David Raya] was very high up the pitch. So I knew if I won the ball, I could try, so I did and scored. It is one of the best goals of my career. I thought it hit the crossbar but thankfully it was in!"
On the trip to Wembley to play Aston Villa on Saturday: "We can go in with confidence and hopefully we will win the semi-final. It is a very big game for the fans, for everybody and I can't wait to play.
On his own form: "I am very happy. Hopefully I will score more goals. Fourteen goals is good but I hope for much more."
Did you know?
Since Oliver Glasner's first Premier League game in charge of Crystal Palace, only Alexander Isak (32), Erling Haaland (31) and Mohamed Salah (30) have more Premier League goals than Jean-Philippe Mateta (27).
Eberechi Eze netted his 30th Premier League goal for the Eagles, becoming the fourth player to reach that tally after Wilfried Zaha (68), Jean-Philippe Mateta (38) and Christian Benteke (35).
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports after Wednesday's draw at Arsenal: "Excellent. Credit to the players. The reaction [to recent results] was amazing. I'm proud of what the players showed.
"We scored amazing goals. I watched many Arsenal games and I can't remember a team with as many clear chances as we had.
"We want to show our identity and personality. It's important to keep this energy and confidence for the semi-final on Saturday.
"It was not our goal to decide the title - it was our goal to win the game. I think a draw is a very good result. More important is the performance. We are back on track. That's what we needed."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?
Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies.
A lot depends on Mikel Arteta's team selection here and how he manages the minutes for Arsenal's players, but he went strong against Ipswich at the weekend and, even when it was 11 versus 11, that wasn't a contest.
The Gunners have got the weekend off before they face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, so I think Arteta will go pretty strong again here.
Crystal Palace had to play the second half with 10 men against Bournemouth on Saturday but still held on for a point, which was important after they had taken a couple of wallopings from Manchester City and Newcastle.
The Eagles conceded five goals last time they faced Arsenal, at Selhurst Park before Christmas, and it is tough to see them getting anything out of this game.
I don't see Arsenal doing as much damage this time, but it should still be a comfortable win for them.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Arsenal (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Ben Chilwell may miss Wednesday's game through sickness but otherwise everyone else is fit and available.
On whether he will rest key players for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley: "We have to look at what's best and which players are in the best shape. It doesn't mean we will make 10 changes tomorrow, but maybe two or three."
He said that is "not because we value the Saturday game more" than the trip to Emirates Stadium but because they "need to be physically fit and mentally fit to be competitive".
On the big week ahead: "We're looking forward to the 'Champions League week' - playing the semi-finalists and quarter-finalists within the space of three days. It's our 'Champions League week'!"
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal have won their past five Premier League games against Crystal Palace, netting five goals in both of the past two.
Having been unbeaten in four Premier League away games against Arsenal between 2019 and 2021 (won one, drawn three), Palace have lost their two league visits to Emirates Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-1.
However, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's worst month for Premier League points per game at the Emirates is in April (18 in 12 games - 1.5 points per game), losing more games in that month (four) than in any other.
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThis week has the potential to be historic or heart-breaking.
As I have alluded to on multiple occasions across multiple seasons, this club has an emotional attachment to the FA Cup. It is an unfulfilled dream to lift that trophy, one not unique to the team from Selhurst Park.
There's a black-and-white photograph of Southampton's 1976 FA winners hanging on the wall in the press room at St Mary's that I spotted at the match at the start of this month. It may be nondescript to many who pass it, but it has meaning to Palace fans, not just because Mel Blyth is recognisable among their number.
That year was the first major cup run and FA semi-final for the club, during which Crystal Palace seemed like a team of destiny. Ultimately they fell short to the eventual winners from Hampshire, a step away from Wembley.
For Southampton, that is their greatest success. For Palace, it is one that got away.
The morning before the quarter-final at Fulham, I spoke to a fellow supporter, who recounted travelling to each of those matches with his father. A cup run to spark a lifetime addiction, witnessing a journey to the team's first semi-final, now of five.
For others, the 1990 run to the final holds a similar sentiment, with Ian Wright's heroics against Manchester United being that unfulfilled moment. To a younger generation still, it is the three minutes where Jason Puncheon's goal led the 2016 final.
This week, there was a temptation to write about the team's recent defensive frailty and how the 0-0 draw with 10 men against Bournemouth impacted our thinking before the midweek game at Arsenal.
However, this is the week leading into the FA Cup semi-final, the round where it feels like you are finally at the dance, whether you believe in neutral venues or the Wembley spectacle.
Local fans, expatriates, and international fans alike will congregate in north-west London for a chance to compete for the big prize in May. Regular service can resume next week, but for now, it is all about Aston Villa on Saturday, regardless of the odds.
Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external
Chris Wise
BBC MOTD commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesSpeaking to Oliver Glasner for BBC MOTD after the goalless draw with Bournemouth, I got the sense that he is very much looking forward to the week ahead for Crystal Palace. There was even a little smile that appeared on his face when the words 'FA Cup semi final' were mentioned.
But beforehand, it's Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on the Wednesday night, then Wembley on the Saturday. Less than 72 hours between those two games for Palace.
Glasner is not one for rotation. He tends to play the strongest side available, even if it stretches some of his squad to their capacity. That's what makes this week so interesting though. Palace would be foolish not to put most - if not all - their eggs in the FA Cup basket. The potential to finally get their hands on that trophy has scarcely felt as real as it does in 2025.
So what does Glasner do for the Arsenal game? Make wholesale changes? Tinker slightly? Trust that three days is enough for his squad to fully recover? He said after the game at the weekend that they will not be going to the Emirates 'waving the white flag'.
I think most Palace fans would accept if Glasner's team selection looked a little 'different' against Arsenal. The more pressing question is whether that's something Glasner himself would accept.
