Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa: Heroes, villains and player ratings as Vieira’s side lose at home

Aston Villa, led by Steven Gerrard, produced a sterling performance to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.

A lapse in concentration from the Palace defence allowed Villa defender Matt Targett put his side one goal up in the first half.

The ever green John McGinn curled a beautiful shot into the top corner after Palace had committed more men forward in search of the equaliser before impressive defender Marc Guehi reduced the deficit late on, but it was too little too late to deny Villa all three points and submit Palace to their first defeat at Selhurst Park this season.

The win means Palace will stay on 16 points after 13 games while Villa climb to 11th just a place below Palace but on the same points.

What both managers said after the game

Crystal Palace Manager Patrick Vieira said after the game: “I’m really disappointed with the result I’m more disappointed by the performance.

“Today we didn’t play well enough. We didn’t move the ball quick enough we didn’t defend well as a team and the consequence is not getting anything from the game.”

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard praised his side’s resilience: “Today is the reward for all the hard work they put in and as you said it’s a difficult place to come and get a win historically so we are delighted.”

Heroes

Marc Guehi was again his usual dependable self in a game most of his teammates failed to show up.

He had a passing percentage of 96%, created two chances despite playing in defence and scored the face saving goal as Palace fell to their first home defeat of the season.

Most of the Palace players looked flat and appeared to be affected by the drop in temperatures but Guehi was one of a handful of standout performers and deserved his goal to make it two goals in the last two games for the young English defender.

Cheikhou Kouyaté- Was unrelenting and willing in a midfield even if his passing wasn’t really up to the task.

In a dominant display, the Senegal international averaged a passing accuracy of 89%, won eight of the 11 tackles he attempted, committed two fouls and won 11 of the 13 ground duels he was involved in.

There were little positives as the Eagles lost their unbeaten home record but the performance of Kouyate will come as a huge lift to his manager who will be kicking himself for some of the decisions he made today.

Villains

James Tomkins- The midfielder was a late replacement for Joachim Anderson who pulled out due to a hamstring issue.

But will not like to see the Matt Targett’s goal again as it was his mistimed jump that presented the opportunity to the Villa defender to fire home the first goal.

The 32-year-old has more than 100 games for Palace but has barely featured since Vieira’s appointment and that clearly told today, his passing was rusty and his decision making was always almost a second late.

There had been calls for Cheikhou Kouyate to slot back into defence when Anderson pulled out but Vieira preferred the experience of Tomkins at the heart of defence.

Milivojevic- The captain had a game to forget, easily gave the ball away in the first half and mistimed his tackles all afternoon before being withdrawn early in the send half.

Another who has been a great servant for the club but today might be when Palace start thinking of the future without him.

He was replaced by the returning Eze, who despite not playing for the last four months did more with ball retention than the veteran captain did all game.

Vieira has been magnificent since taking over but most of the players who have been brilliant for him were off colour today and that led to his side losing their unbeaten start home record.

Player ratings

Crystal Palace player ratings:

Guaita-5

Ward-5.5

Tomkins-5

Guehi-7

Mitchell-5.5

Gallagher-6

Milivojevic-4

Kouyate-6.5

Zaha-5

Benteke-5

Olise-5

Subs- Eberechi Eze (5), Odsonne Edouard (4.5) , Jordan Ayew ( NA)

Aston Villa’s player ratings:

Martinez-5.5

Cash-6

Konsa-6.5

Mings-7

Targett-7.5

McGinn-7

Nakamba-6

Ramsey-6

Ashley Young-6

Leon Bailey- 6.5

Watkins-5.5

Subs- Douglas Luiz (5), Anwar El-Ghazi (6), Emiliano Buendia (NA)