Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace: Palace defeat Villa in stellar away performance | OneFootball

Goals from Marc Guéhi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr sunk Villa as they remain in the relegation zone going into the first international break.

Crystal Palace’s captain Guéhi led his team to their first Premier League win of the season amid massive speculation about his future. Guéhi, who was touted with a move to champions Liverpool, scored a sensational goal capitalising on a loose pass from defender Ezri Konsa to put The Eagles two-nil up on their fixture on Sunday night.

As it happened

A Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty put Oliver Glasner’s side ahead at the break, capitalising on the momentum gained from going through to the UEFA Conference League group stage. Then, as Villa began to gain a foothold in the match, Guéhi put The Eagles two up.

Aston Villa were also in the midst of transfer speculation with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez not featuring for Unai Emery’s side. Emery would have been disappointed as an Ismaïla Sarr goal late on took all three points back to South London.

His side started the game dominating possession but creating little; winger Morgan Rodgers and striker Ollie Watkins left the first half frustrated to not take advantage of their teams press. The tide turned before half time when Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada was fouled by stand in goalkeeper Marco Bizot. The ever consistent Mateta converted the spot kick to score his first of the season.

Villa, who made a change at half time with Emi Buendía replacing new signing Evann Guessand, started the second half as they started the first. However, the same story of Villa being toothless in the final third came back to haunt them, as in the midst of their dominance, Guéhi curled in a misplaced pass from the edge of the box.

The writing was on the wall for Emery’s side and this was compounded when Ismaila Sarr headed home from a long throw in to punish Villa for the second time in three games. The result leaves Palace continuing their unbeaten start, picking up five points from a possible nine. For the hosts however, it’s a different, much bleaker story as they remain inside the relegation zone, having not picked up a win or even a goal so far.

The lineups

AVL: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, Guessand; Watkins

CRY: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Kamada; Mateta