Birmingham, Sep 1: Aston Villa’s fortress at Villa Park was finally breached as Crystal Palace stunned Unai Emery’s men with a commanding 3-0 win in the Premier League on Sunday.
The result ended Villa’s 22-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions, stretching back to October last year, and marked their first league defeat on home soil in 20 matches.
Palace, who last won a league fixture at Villa Park in 2013, struck through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty midway through the first half before second-half goals from Marc Guehi and Ismaila Sarr sealed a memorable victory for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Villa Start Brightly, Palace Strike First
Emery made five changes to his starting line-up, handing a full debut to summer signing Evann Guessand, while Donyell Malen and Ian Maatsen earned their first starts of the season. Ezri Konsa returned from suspension and Marco Bizot started in goal.The hosts looked sharp early on, with Youri Tielemans heading over unmarked from a Maatsen corner, while Ollie Watkins also threatened. Yet despite Villa’s promising play, it was Palace who struck first. In the 21st minute, goalkeeper Bizot brought down Daichi Kamada inside the box, leaving Mateta to calmly dispatch the resulting penalty.
Villa tried to respond immediately. Guessand tested Dean Henderson, and Watkins forced a superb reflex stop from the Palace keeper just before the break. However, Palace’s defence stood firm to preserve their lead going into half-time.
Palace Punish in the Second Half
The introduction of Emiliano Buendía after the interval gave Villa renewed energy, with Tielemans and Morgan Rogers both bringing fine saves out of Henderson. But against the run of play, Palace doubled their lead in the 68th minute. A loose ball fell kindly for Guehi inside the area, and the defender curled a stunning finish into the top corner.
Emery turned to his bench, handing a debut to Brad Burrowes alongside Pau Torres, but Villa’s hopes of a comeback were crushed 10 minutes later. Jefferson Lerma’s long throw was flicked on by Maxence Lacroix, and Sarr rose at the back post to head home Palace’s third — their only three shots on target all afternoon resulting in goals.
Bizot denied Lerma late in stoppage time, but by then the outcome was beyond doubt as Palace celebrated a landmark victory.
What’s Next
The result gives Palace their first Premier League win at Villa Park in over a decade, while for Villa it is a reality check before the September international break. Emery’s side return to action with a trip to Everton, determined to put this setback behind them and reignite their momentum in the league campaign.
For Villa, the defeat will sting not only because it ended a proud unbeaten streak at home but also because of the manner in which it unfolded. Emery’s men had plenty of possession, created promising openings and looked the more proactive side for long spells, yet they were undone by Palace’s ruthlessness in the final third and their own inability to convert chances. (Agencies)