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Football
Crystal Palace
vs Aston Villa. Premier League.
7: 30pm, Tuesday 25th February 2025.
Selhurst Park Attendance: Attendance24, 712.
Report and free match highlights as goals from Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah deal Aston Villa a major blow in their hunt for Europe.
Football Journalist
@williambitibiri
Tuesday 25 February 2025 23: 01, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Crystal Palace dealt Aston Villa a four-pronged blow in their hunt for Europe as Unai Emery's side had two goals ruled out in the Eagles' 4-1 Premier League victory. Villa had eyes set at kick-off on a spot in the top four and it was them who pierced the back of the net first, but what they thought was the opener was the start of an unfortunate night of VAR decisions for the away side. Jacob Ramsey netted after Ollie Watkins slipped him in but of the night's more obvious decisions, it was ruled out instantly with the linesman's flag going up straight away. Moments later, Palace were ahead. Ismaila Sarr tapped in from close range after Adam Wharton picked out Chris Richards with a stunning ball into the area that the Palace defender cushioned across the box for the goalscorer. Palace were forced to wait as VAR Jarrod Gillet had a check of Richards' positioning. However, that stood and Palace were buoyed by their opener. Crystal Palace Henderson (6), Richards (8), Lacroix (7), Guehi (7), Munoz (7), Wharton (8), Hughes (7), Mitchell (6), Eze (7), Sarr (9), Mateta (8).
Subs: Lerma (6), Kamada (6), Nketiah (7)
Aston Villa Martinez (7), Garcia (4), Konsa (4), Disasi (4), Digne (4), Mc Ginn (3), Bogarde (4), Tielemans (3), Ramsey (6), Rogers (7), Watkins (6).
Subs: Olsen (6), Bailey (4), Rashford (5), Asensio (5), Maatsen (n/a)
Player of the Match: Ismaila Sarr Palace came close to doubling their lead when a sweeping counter nearly saw Sarr net a second only to be denied by a superb stop from Emi Martinez at point-blank range. Villa responded with a counter of their own soon after which saw Morgan Rogers this time meet a Watkins cut-back. But cue the VAR hum as another tight call was set to be adjusted only for Villa to be denied again. Villa resorted to route one to get their opener after the break. Robin Olsen who replaced Emi Martinez in goal at half-time, pinged forward and Watkins headed into the path of Rogers. It wasn't an easy take down but Rogers made it look easy as he found an improvised finish. Mateta soon restored the Palace lead with a fine finish on his left foot. Despite introductions for Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford late on, Sarr bagged his second of the night with a side-footed volley past Olsen.
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A fourth win in six games for Palace, which moves them up into 12th, was wrapped up when sub Eddie Nketiah joined the party with an added-time goal. Villa drop to 10th. With England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on, it was somewhat perfect timing for Adam Wharton to make a long-awaited return to the Crystal Palace starting eleven. It was some display too, the 21-year-old slotted seamlessly back into the Palace midfield, having a hand in three of the Palace goals while also making more final-third passes than any other Palace player with 14. Oliver Glasner said after the game it was a rusty start for the midfielder, who would then acclimatise after a four-month lay-off. "He played excellent, " Glasner said. "When you see the second goal, with his pass to Eberechi Eze. This is his quality, his pre-orientation. It's also one of our habits, winning the ball on the half-right side, passing to the half-left, and you have one or two touches, and he has the quality to find the player, he has the quality to execute the pass in the right way. Wharton was the forgotten man as an unused member of Gareth Southgate's 26-man Euros squad last summer, but he's given Tuchel a performance to remember as Palace put Aston Villa to the sword. Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton to TNT Sports: "A great win. The fans were unbelievable. We had to be patient. Villa are a top side but we knew if we stuck to the plan and kept the intensity in the game, we would get chances. "The big man [Jean-Philippe Mateta] and Ish [Ismaila Sarr] took their chances really well, and Eddie [Nketiah], I'm buzzing for him. "The home form's not been the best but we just go into the game with a clear mind. We know the tactics the gaffer has given and we just stick to the plan. " Aston Villa boss Unai Emery: "This is the Premier League and it's very difficult, each match and playing away even more so. They are in good form, they have very good structure tactically and to stop them at the beginning was our idea, our plan. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "We have to be frustrated, but of course our demands are increasing and we are trying to get our first objective for the season, but we are not being consistent, we are losing during the way some very good opportunities like today, but of course, we didn't deserve more. "Three clean sheets in 28 is a concern. We are analysing and we are trying to work on it of course clean sheet is true, we can feel strong, but we are not being consistent. "We have another two competitions, we are really, more or less, competing very well, FA Cup, on Friday, Champions League and we played a lot of matches in a few days in the Premier League and we are going to try to now leave the Premier League in the corner and try to focus on another two competitions, being motivated, excited and trying to manage the frustration like we have today and keep going and win. " Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner: "We all get the reward and especially the players get the reward for their hard work. We expected it a little bit, I mention it quite often that the start will be a little bit bumpy. Pre-season not going in the perfect way and many players arriving late. But the most important thing is that we always stayed together and worked hard. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "I think we can see now the progress and the development of the individual players, of the system. The players know how we want to play, they know what we have to do. But the one thing is to transform it onto the pitch and this is what they're doing really well in the last weeks and months. " Correctly predict six scorelines for a chance to win £250, 000 for free. Entries by 3pm Saturday.
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