CRYSTAL BALLS-UP

Palace leave Emery's 'future plan' in tatters

- NEIL MOXLEY

UNAI EMERY took out an insurance policy in January to protect Aston Villa.

He was determined to safeguard his club - to prevent a limp towards the finishing line that almost cost him dear 12 months ago.

It was understandable why the Spaniard acted as he did.

Villa ran out of steam horribly in the two-legged semi-final of the Europa Conference League against Olympiakos.

And they only just - thanks to an incredible late double from Jhon Duran against Liverpool - crossed the finishing line to make the top four.

But his new year gamble on recruiting Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen to power his team over the line and towards glory this season backfired horribly at Wembley.

Rashford was missing through injury - Asensio started but was anonymous - and Malen warmed the bench. It proved to be no surety against the rampant Eagles who hold a sign over Villa.

Bayern Munich, Juventus, and several other big-name clubs have tried and failed to defeat them on their own turf.

Only Arsenal have succeeded and Palace too in the Carabao Cup.