Back so soon? Three famous Palace same-season rematches

Club

12 Mar 2026

Crystal Palace face the unusual prospect of a rematch with Cypriot Cup holders AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League, as the two teams – who last met on matchday one of the league phase – are reunited in the last 16.

Tickets available for Thursday night's first leg in SE25.
Hear the Manager's pre-match thoughts here.
How to watch & follow the first leg at Selhurst Park.

The quickfire reunion – the two sides only last met on 23rd October, of course – means that Larnaca become the first team to face Palace on more than one occasion (excluding second legs) in a 'proper' European competition.

Indeed, after next Thursday’s second leg, the Cypriot Cup holders and the FA Cup holders will have met three times in the same season.

In years gone by, cup replays meant that facing one team three or even four times a season wasn’t irregular. But in the modern game, with FA Cup replays now a thing of the past, playing one side three times in one competition across a season will only become rarer.

In recognition of our rematch with Larnaca, let’s have a look at some other familiar foes to have played Palace multiple times in a single season...

Aston Villa - 2024/25

Let’s start with an obvious one.

Palace and Aston Villa, as you’ll remember, met on four separate occasions last season (and indeed on four occ. Thankfully it proved a successful fixture for the Eagles.

The two sides faced off in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in October 2024. It was Palace who progressed inside the 90 minutes, after Daichi Kamada’s 64th minute goal earned a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.

Match Action: Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace | EFL Cup

Remarkably this was Villa’s only domestic defeat for over a year between August 2024 and August 2025 – that run ending when Palace won at Villa Park, 3-0, in the Premier League. earlier this season

The second meeting between the two in 2024/25 proved to be a league thriller. Villa came from behind twice to draw 2-2, with Ismaïla Sarr and Justin Devenny on target for the Eagles – a first goal for Devenny at Palace.

Sarr continued his excellent record against Villa in the reverse fixture, scoring twice in a 4-1 win at Selhurst Park. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah got the other goals.

Match Action: Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa

And Unai Emery’s side were sick of the sight of Palace after the final meeting between the two in the season.

The setting was Wembley Stadium for an FA Cup semi-final, both sets of supporters contributing to an atmosphere that will live long in the memory of those inside.

Once again though, it was the Eagles’ day. Ebere Eze’s thunderbolt set Palace on their way, before two more from – who else, but – Sarr rounded off a perfect day.

It was the sixth – and most recent – time in club history where Palace have faced the same opponent in both domestic cup competitions across one season.

Access All Over | Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa (Wembley Edition)

Swindon Town - 1988/89

The season record for Palace for the most competitive matches against the same opponent was set in 1988/89.

The Eagles met Swindon Town a whopping six times during that season, a feat which is unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

This owed to the old format of the League Cup (then known as the Littlewoods Cup) which featured both replays and the opening two rounds being contested over two legs – so when Palace faced Swindon in the second round, that was two meetings booked in for starters. The Eagles won 4-1 on aggregate to progress.

Just over three months later came the first league meeting between the two sides. Mark Bright scored twice at Selhurst Park to secure a vital three points for Steve Coppell’s side, Palace triumphing 2-1.

But, at the fourth attempt, Swindon finally came out on top in the reverse league fixture, securing a 1-0 win on a Tuesday night in April towards the end of the season.

That result proved crucial to Swindon edging out Barnsley for the final play-off spot. With Palace finishing third, the two teams were destined to meet over two legs for matches numbers five and six – with the winner on aggregate going to the final.

The Eagles again came unstuck at the County Ground losing 1-0 in the first game. Fortunately, it wouldn’t prove fatal to our promotion ambition. Four days later under the lights at Selhurst Park, Bright and Ian Wright both were on target in a 2-0 victory – with Palace memorably going on to secure promotion after defeating Blackburn in the final.

Brighton & Hove Albion - 1976/77

Perhaps the most memorable ‘series’ against one opponent for Palace came back in 1976/77 against our old rivals.

Palace and Brighton were both vying to win promotion from Division Three – the old third tier of English football – but to further complicate matters they were drawn against one another in the FA Cup first round.

For many it was the spark of the rivalry we know today. A 2-2 draw at the Goldstone Ground meant a replay at Selhurst Park. That also ended in a draw thanks to Rachid Harkouk’s strike for Palace, the tie finishing 1-1.

Extra-time? Not in those days. It meant another replay, just under two weeks later at Stamford Bridge.

The short version of the story: Palace emerged victorious, thanks to a Phil Holder goal. The long version? Brighton were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the match, which they scored – only for referee Ron Challis to rule the goal out for encroachment.

Brighton were incensed, adamant that only Palace players had entered the penalty area as the kick was being taken, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.

The spot-kick was retaken, with Paul Hammond making the crucial save and seeing Palace through to the second round.

Then things took a turn for the worse. As Challis – soon given the unfavourable nickname ‘Challis of Palace’ – was escorted from the field, Brighton manager Alan Mullery lost his composure.

A melee broke out on the touchline, with Mullery protesting wildly – even throwing money on the ground – and finding himself covered in tea in the process; he was later fined for bringing the game into disrepute.

It meant the temperature was high once again when the two sides met for a fifth time that season in March. Harkouk was again the hero, scoring two with Dave Swindlehurst getting the other in a famous 3-1 win.

The season at least ended well for both sides – Brighton and Palace both winning automatic promotion to the second tier.

With thanks to ‘The Palacetician’ @SoCpfc on X.

Related News

More News