Aston Villa locked horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier today as they hoped to secure all three points at home. The Villans made a bright start to the game as they got themselves ahead in the 17th minute courtesy of a great strike from John McGinn. However, Christian Benteke equalised for the home team just 15 minutes later with a brilliant header before Anwar El Ghazi found the back of the net to give the West Midlands outfit a 2-1 lead at half-time.
The Eagles grew stronger in the second half and got themselves level in the 75th minute courtesy of Wilfried Zaha’s goal. Tyrick Mitchell managed to win the game for Palace with a late goal as the Villans ended up being defeated by a 3-2 scoreline at South London.
Let’s take a look at how each Aston Villa player performed during the clash against the Eagles.
GK: Emiliano Martinez – 6.5/10
The Argentine keeper made some key saves but still ended up shipping in three goals today which won’t please him.
RB: Ahmed Elmohamady – 7/10
Elmohamady cleared his lines when needed and read the danger well to earn the ball back for his team a few times during the game.
CB: Ezri Konsa – 6.5/10
He made several important clearances at the back but couldn’t manage to keep Christian Benteke quiet throughout the match.
CB: Kourtney Hause – 6/10
Hause was strong in the air and was not afraid to put his foot through the ball to clear the danger when called into action.
LB: Matt Targett – 6/10
Targett did not have to do too much defending but managed to create a couple of decent chances in the final third.
CM: Douglas Luiz – 6.5/10
The Brazilian midfield ace tried his best to protect his teammates on the defensive end of the field but offered very little in the Palace half.
CM: Jacob Ramsey – 6/10
Ramsey failed to get a stranglehold in the game and came up short with his shot attempts.
RM: Bertrand Traore – 7/10
He was a constant nuisance for the Eagles defenders because of his electric pace and goal threat. Traore managed to create some decent openings in the attacking third but didn’t get a sniff at goal himself.
CAM: John McGinn – 7.5/10
McGinn gave his team the lead with a wonderful strike and worked hard to help his teammates out at the back when he could.
LM: Anwar El Ghazi – 7/10
El Ghazi got his name on the scoresheet once again but it was not enough for the Villans to get anything out of this game. Still, he deserves a pat on the back for being a big threat down the left-wing.
ST: Ollie Watkins – 7.5/10
Watkins produced another tireless shift in the opposition half and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
Substitutes:
LM: Jack Grealish – 6/10
He failed to get a foothold in the game after coming off the bench.
ST: Keinan Davis – N/A
Davis hardly had any time to make an impact.
ST: Wesley – N/A
The Brazilian striker was Dean Smith’s last throw of the dice.
