Crystal Palace secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park, with Marc Guéhi's stunning goal highlighting a dominant performance. The win marks Crystal Palace's fifth in their last six encounters with Aston Villa.
Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring in the 21st minute, converting a penalty after Daichi Kamada was brought down in the area by Aston Villa's goalkeeper Marco Bizot. Mateta confidently dispatched the penalty, sending Bizot the wrong way, making amends for a previous penalty miss against the same opponent in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Eagles extended their lead in the 68th minute with a memorable strike from Marc Guéhi. The Crystal Palace captain picked up the ball and unleashed a superb curling effort that left Bizot with no chance. Guéhi's goal underscored his importance to the team, especially with speculation surrounding a possible transfer to Liverpool. Crystal Palace manager emphasized the need to keep Guéhi, stating that they would only consider selling him if a suitable replacement was secured. He highlighted Guéhi's crucial role as captain and a key player for a successful season.
Ismaïla Sarr sealed the victory for Crystal Palace in the 78th minute. Sarr has a remarkable scoring record against Aston Villa, having now scored in his last four appearances against them, with a total of six goals.
Aston Villa struggled to create many clear-cut chances throughout the match. Youri Tielemans missed an early opportunity, heading over from close range. Ollie Watkins was also denied by a good save from Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The absence of Emiliano Martínez in goal was felt by Aston Villa. He was unavailable amid reports of Manchester United's renewed interest.
Crystal Palace's defensive solidity, led by Guéhi, proved crucial in their victory, showcasing their ability to absorb pressure and counterattack effectively. This win propelled Crystal Palace to eighth position in the league standings, maintaining their unbeaten run. In contrast, Aston Villa's defeat leaves them near the bottom of the table, still searching for their first goal of the campaign.
