Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa: The Eagles too sharp for tame Villa

Aston Villa fell to an away defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Palace arrived with the intention of increasing their league score following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their previous game while Villa were able to continue their winning streak after a 2-1 win against Everton in their last match. Following today’s result, Palace are in 10th place, with 4 points from 3 matches, while Villa sit in 14th, with 3 points from 3.

Villa started strongly in the first half, with an early goal from Ollie Watkins in the 5th minute. However, their celebrations were kept brief, as Wilfried Zaha equalised for Palace in the 7th minute. The score at half time was 1-1.

The Eagles continued to pile on the pressure in the second and were rewarded, when Wilfried Zaha found the net again at the 58 minute mark. Palace then scored once more and increased their advantage thanks to a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta, 71 minutes in to make it 3-1.

Substitutions for Palace included Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Luka Milivojevic, Will Hughes and Chris Richards for Odsonne Edouard, Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Eberechi Eze, repectively. Villa brought on Danny Ings, Philippe Coutinho and Douglas Luiz, to replace Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn.

There were bookings for Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp from Palace, and John McGinn, for Villa.

Palace will next play Manchester City away, with Villa facing West Ham United at home.