There seemed to be an added respect woven into the handshake between Unai Emery and Oliver Glasner at full time. Like two Grandmasters battling for victory in a game of chess, both accepted the stalemate.

Their fortunes might have switched from the start of the season, but this was a clash between two very astute coaches with European pedigree — and their tactical approaches arguably cancelled each other out on the night.

Emery will have been acutely aware of the record he had against Glasner. Wednesday evening’s goalless draw at Selhurst Park made it seven meetings that he has failed to beat him across all competitions, and the Austrian is the manager he has faced the most in his career without winning.

Oliver Glasner loves playing Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace's results against Unai Emery's side since Glasner took over in February 2024:

✅ 5-0 (Premier League, May 2024)
✅ 2-1 (League Cup, October 2024)
🤝 2-2 (Premier League, November 2024)
✅ 4-1 (Premier League, February… pic.twitter.com/CHE4UATxsU

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 7, 2026

There were moments within the game that you would be forgiven for thinking that the referee had called a halt to proceedings, with the 22 players standing like statues when Villa were in possession.

Just like their teams, neither manager was willing to give their opposite number an inch.

This is an increasingly common sight in modern football, but it was testament to the respect these two men have for one another.

Villa will often use their build-up to attract the opposition onto them, pull their shape apart, and create space — but Palace were not willing to take the bait.

Glasner said before and after the game that he knew Emery wanted the Palace No 6s (midfielders) to jump forward and exploit the space, repeatedly highlighting the importance of his side “controlling the pocket” where Villa’s John McGinn and Morgan Rogers like to operate.

Villa returned to a 4-2-3-1 shape in south London, with Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho’s second start under Emery on the right side of attack doing little to inspire. Ollie Watkins needed bodies around him against a stubborn back-three defence, and while the England striker did have two good opportunities in the first half — and directed a header onto the post in the second half — he was often crowded out, with little space to find.

Incidentally, Watkins’ second chance was after Rogers found space behind Palace’s midfield, as Glasner had warned, threading the ball to his front man, whose left-footed shot was blocked.