FactfileWhat’s the story?With Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat against Manchester City on Tuesday night – not to mention Aston Villa’s remarkable comeback from 3-1 down against Liverpool the night before – Champions League football has been secured, and now Villa can relax on the final day in the knowledge they will be playing in Europe’s premier competition next season.Unai Emery’s side have been a revelation this season, beating Manchester City and doing the double over Arsenal en route to the top four, with stars Emiliano Martinez, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins – currently on 19 Premier League goals and surely at the forefront of Gareth Southgate’s thoughts for the summer – stepping up to new levels.They enjoyed a European adventure, too, reaching the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, thrashing Ajax on their way. The journey was brought to an end in Athens against Olympiacos, but next season there will be plenty more trips to come.

Emery’s work this season has seen him nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Season award, and he must be favourite to earn the accolade after taking over with Villa in 14th last season and guiding them to a top-four finish in his first full campaign.Now, an important summer awaits as they look to strengthen further rather than lose their key players, and, under no pressure to sell, the future looks bright for the club. Even Tom Hanks, perhaps their most famous fan, was at the final home game of the season against Liverpool. No Villa fan could have expected such a remarkable season, but life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.The bossUnai Emery recovered from a bruising experience at Arsenal to remind everyone why he is one of the continent’s most highly respected managers, winning the Europa League at Villarreal before transforming Aston Villa from relegation candidates to European contenders.

Boot in both campsMile Jedinak left Palace in 2016 as one of the club’s greatest captains, joining Aston Villa for the final three years of his career and making 80 appearances.

Record against PalacePalace will be out for revenge, having lost their last two against Villa including a controversial last-minute penalty at Villa Park back in September.However, the Eagles came out on top in the last meeting in south London, with Wilfried Zaha and Jean-Philippe Mateta on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win.

Did you know?Like so many professional football teams, Aston Villa were formed by a cricket side looking for a sport to play during the tempestuous winter months. Their first match came against a local rugby side, with the first-half played under rugby rules and the second under Association Football rules – somehow, Villa kept a clean sheet.In 1876, Scotsman George Ramsay happened to spot the players training in Aston Park, and, having been asked to make up the numbers, impressed with his close control and skill on the ball. Soon he was made club captain and drew spectators to watch matches.In 1888, Villa became one of the 12 founding members of the Football League, heading into the competition as the FA Cup holders. By now George Ramsay was manager, thought to be football’s first professional in the role, and he soon embarked on a golden period, winning six league titles and six FA Cups.Match details