Player ratings from Aston Villa’s dismal 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace – as three 4/10s dealt.
Aston Villa will spend the international break in the Premier League relegation zone following a concerning 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday evening, abruptly ending a 22-match unbeaten streak at Villa Park. The last loss on home soil was also against the Eagles, in the Carabao Cup last October.
Villa, unable to crack the Oliver Glasner code yet again, could not end their Palace hoodoo as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty, Marc Guehi’s stunner and Ismaila Sarr’s obligatory goal were enough to earn the Eagles a fifth win in the last six meetings between the two sides.
To make matters worse, this is the first time that an Unai Emery team has failed to score in four successive league games since 2007, when the Spaniard was with Almeria. It’s also the first time Villa have failed to score in any of their opening three Premier League matches since 1997/98.
Much of the talk pre-match was around the Villa goalkeeping conundrum as Emiliano Martinez was omitted from the matchday squad amid speculation over a potential transfer to Manchester United. Marco Bizot, who impressed on debut against Newcastle, stepped in but had a night to forget as he gave away the spot-kick Mateta converted 21 minutes in.
Daichi Kamada was fouled when rounding Bizot after running onto a pinpoint Mateta through pass. Kamada showed off great close control to dribble past Bizot, who caught him on the ankle. Mateta’s spot-kick was cool, calm and collected, but it could have been avoided altogether if Matty Cash positioned himself better to cut out Mateta’s pass in the first place.
Villa had chances to equalise but were not clinical enough to convert. Evann Guessand stung Dean Henderson’s gloves with a curled effort and Ollie Watkins had a half-volley saved from a lofted John McGinn through pass. Youri Tielemans headed over at the near post from two corners, while Morgan Rogers had a decent effort stopped.
Guehi delivered a sucker punch in the 68th minute, whipping a beauty into the top right corner to make it 2-0 to Palace. Ezri Konsa scuffed a clearance, John McGinn was weak in a challenge, Bizot was well off his line, and Guehi was afforded so much space. The finish was exquisite, but the Palace captain should never have had the opportunity to shoot.
Sarr made it three in the 78th minute as he netted a close-range header. The defending was calamitous from Villa as Jefferson Lerma’s long throw was flicked on by Maxence Lacroix by the near side and the ball made it all the way through to the far post, where Sarr was lurking. That’s the winger’s eighth goal in eight games against Villa.
On just one point from nine available, Villa head into the international break in 19th place and with much to ponder.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Crystal Palace
Marco Bizot - Donned ‘the world’s number one’ by the Holte pre-match, Bizot stepped in for the absent Emi Martinez but had a bit of a shocker. The Dutchman gave away the penalty for Mateta’s opener, misjudging the situation and catching Kamada on the ankle, and was unconvincing afterwards. Bizot was well off his line for Guehi’s goal and positioned himself wrong for Sarr’s late header. He made a save at the end to deny Lerma, but the damage had already been done. 4
Matty Cash (off 74’) - Given the run-around by Kamada and failed to cut out the Mateta through pass before the penalty was awarded. Not good enough going forward, either, as he was poor with his crossing. Booked for a late tackle on Kamada. 4
Ezri Konsa - At fault for Palace’s second goal as his clearance was very poor, straight into Guehi’s path. Didn’t make a single tackle all evening. 5
Tyrone Mings - Had a few decent moments up against Mateta but his positioning left plenty to be desired when Palace broke forward on their dangerous counters. 5
Ian Maatsen (off 84’) - Didn’t press Sarr quickly enough on several occasions and was an onlooker for the Guehi and Sarr goals. Inaccurate with his crossing. 5
Youri Tielemans - Usually one to muster up something special out of nowhere, Tielemans didn’t hit his usual mark. Had some good chances, though, as one long-range effort was saved and two headers were glanced over. 6
John McGinn (off 74’) - Should’ve done better ahead of Guehi’s goal as wasn’t anywhere near strong enough to win the ball back after Konsa’s poor clearance. Created the chance for Watkins before half time with a hopeful long pass over the top but otherwise had no flash moments. 5
Morgan Rogers - Had one decent effort saved by Henderson and enjoyed a decent 10-minute spell at the start of the second half but was well off the pace for the rest of the game. 5
Donyell Malen (off 83’) - Finally handed the start Villa fans have understandably been calling for but wasn’t able to capitalise. Didn’t complete a single dribble and misplaced five of his 15 pass attempts. 4
Evann Guessand (off 46’) - Didn’t exactly hit the ground running on his first Villa start. Too predictable on the left flank as Richards and Munoz had an easy time defending his dribble attempts. Did track back to do his defensive duties well, though. 5
Ollie Watkins - Missed a great opportunity on the stroke of half time as his poked effort lacked the necessary direction and power to beat Henderson. 5
Emiliano Buendia (on 46’) - Came on for Guessand at the start of the second half and had a good impact to begin with but tailed off. 6
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