C Palace 3 – 1 A Villa

A double from Wilfried Zaha helped Crystal Palace to a 3-1 win against Aston Villa, picking up their first Premier League win of the new season.

It was an entertaining encounter from the off at a sunny Selhurst Park as Ollie Watkins (5) fired Aston Villa into an early lead. Leon Bailey nodded down a long pass into the striker’s path, and he made no mistake in firing past Vicente Guaita.

But the Crystal Palace goalkeeper was rarely tested from then on, and Crystal Palace hit back quickly. Zaha (7) broke from the halfway line before driving into the area and slotting coolly past Emiliano Martinez.

The Eagles thought they had taken the lead late in the first half as Jeffrey Sclupp fired home from Odsonne Edouard’s cutback, but VAR deemed Edouard to be offside from the initial free kick.

After Bailey struck the woodwork early in the second half, Crystal Palace soon had a second that counted, with VAR involved again. Lucas Digne was penalised for handball after a Marc Guehi header – expertly saved by Martinez – hit his raised arm.

Referee Andy Madley awarded the penalty after checking the pitchside monitor, with Zaha lining up the spot kick. His initial effort was saved by Martinez – who, despite the scoreline, had an impressive game – but his stop did not go far enough as Zaha easily slotted the rebound (58).

Crystal Palace looked impressive in every attack and added their third with one of the moves of the game. It was a sumptuous Zaha backheel that saw Tyrick Mitchell burst down the left wing, with his fizzing cross slotted home by a sliding Jean-Philippe Mateta (71), the striker’s first touch as a substitute.

The victory sees Crystal Palace register their first three points of the season, following on from their 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Monday Night Football. However, Aston Villa – without defensive summer signing Diego Carlos – were unable to capitalise on the mometum from their first win against Everton last weekend.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Both teams are back in Carabao Cup action in midweek. Crystal Palace travel to Oxford United on Tuesday before hosting Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.

Aston Villa are also playing away at Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before welcoming West Ham in the Premier League next Sunday; kick-off 2pm.