Crystal Palace battered Aston Villa 5-0 to surge into the summer in incredible form under Oliver Glasner as they secured an unlikely top 10 finish.
Palace won six of their final seven games of the season, going unbeaten in that run to give them huge hope they can challenge for Europe next season.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat trick and the brilliant Eberechi Eze scored two and grabbed an assist as Palace tore apart a makeshift Aston Villa side who had spent the early post of this week celebrating Champions League qualification.
With the win Palace finish the season on 49 points and finished in 10th place. Villa were already confirmed to finish in fourth ahead of this game but Unai Emery will be very disappointed with this performance despite reaching the Champions League in an incredible season overall.
Eagles can soar to Europe next season
This surge at the end of the season is no coincidence. Crystal Palace have quality players in the attacking third and they are playing to their strengths. Glasner has found a system which works and not only makes the most of their counter-attacking threat but gets Olise and Eze on the ball in dangerous positions and with lots of space. They remain robust defensively and if Palace can keep hold of Eze and Olise this summer, with a full preseason working on Glasner’s pressing tactics, they have everything in place to push for Europe.
Player ratings - Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 11am ET Sunday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa final score: 5-0
Mateta 9', 39', 62' 64' Eze 54', 70'
Eze finishes superbly - Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa (70th minute)
Eze has another and Palace are absolutely loving life.
Mateta thought he had a fourth but he was just offside
Mateta is played in and finishes superbly again... but VAR checks and it is offside.
Mateta completes his hat trick - Crystal Palace 4-0 Aston Villa (63rd minute)
Eze again with the brilliant running on the break and he sets up Mateta to slot home. Mateta has a hat trick and Palace are absolutely flying.
Eze drills home - Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa (54th minute)
The ball breaks to Eze and he runs towards goal before drilling home a beauty. What a finish. And what a finish to the season Eze is having. Surely he will be in England’s EURO 2024 squad this summer.
Mateta finishes again! - Crystal Palace 2-0 Aston Villa (39th minute)
Olise finds Munoz and his cross is perfect for Mateta to sweep home. He has two and Palace have two. They are flying.
Villa seeing plenty of the ball but not causing many problems
Palace look more dangerous when they have got into the final third. Villa are on the ball a lot but aren’t doing much with it.
Mateta scores again! - Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa (9th minute)
Michael Olise does superbly to play in Jean-Philippe Mateta and he slots home. Mateta is now the second French player to score in 7 straight Premier League home appearances (Thierry Henry for Arsenal between May-Oct 2004).
Villa want a penalty kick early on
Duran went down under a challenge in the box and it looked like there was decent contact.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi; Munoz, Richards, Wharton, Mitchell; Olise, Eze; Mateta
Aston Villa lineup
Olsen; Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Digne; Diaby, Luiz, Chambers, McGinn; Duran, Watkins
Crystal Palace focus, team news
OUT: Matheus Franca (adductor), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Rob Holding (thigh), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Naouirou Ahamada (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Jefferson Lerma (thigh), Will Hughes (knee)
Aston Villa focus, team news
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (torn ACL - out for season), Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Jacob Ramsey (foot), Morgan Rogers (thigh), Matty Cash (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Alex Moreno (undisclosed), Nicolo Zaniolo (undisclosed)
