In-form Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Tuesday to underline their incredible resurgence under Oliver Glasner.
WATCH - Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa full match replay
Palace struggled during the opening months of the season but just like last season, they’re finishing the season strong and Ismaila Sarr, celebrating his 27th birthday, led their charge against Villa. The Senegalese winger scored in each half, while Jean-Philippe Mateta regained Palace’s lead after Morgan Rogers had briefly equalized for Villa.
Palace surged ahead late on as Sarr grabbed his second and Palace’s third, then Eddie Nketiah grabbed his first Premier League goal for the Eagles to seal it late on.
With the win, their fifth in their last seven games, Palace move on to 36 points. Aston Villa tasted defeat for the first time in five games in all competitions as they slipped down to 10th place but are still in with a chance of finishing in the top five given how tight things are in the race for European qualification.
Sarr the unsung hero steals the show on his birthday
When we talk about Palace’s fine counter attacking talents we often forget to talk about Ismaila Sarr. Not today. It was his birthday and he was the difference. The Senegalese winger arrived from Marseille last summer and is turning out to be a bargain buy. He is consistent, slots in perfectly to Palace’s style of play and grabbed two goals and could have had a hat trick. Mateta and Eze rightly get plenty of the praise for Palace but Sarr showed what he could do at Watford in the past and he’s now built on it. Sarr and Palace are a perfect fit and he could end up being one of the best value signings in the Premier League for a long time.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Palace host second-tier Millwall in the last 16 of the FA Cup on Saturday, then host Ipswich Town in the Premier League a week later. Aston Villa host second-tier Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Friday, then travel to Club Brugge for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie before a weekend off Premier League action before the international break.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa score: 4-1
Sarr 29' 71', Mateta 59', Nketiah 91'; Rogers 52'
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Nketiah taps home! — Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Substitute Eddie Nketiah scores his first Premier League goal for Palace. Mitchell does really well on the left and picks out Nketiah to tap home.
Sarr surely seals it! — Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa
A cross from the right from Munoz finds Sarr and his volley is perfectly placed into the far corner. Sublime finish. There was a VAR check but the goal stands.
Rashford and Asensio are on for Villa
Here they come. The star January signings are both on with Watkins and Ramsey off.
Mateta finishes well! — Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
Clinical from JP Mateta. He shifts the ball onto his left and smashes home. Ruthless. Palace have their lead back again.
Rogers finishes on the swivel! — Crystal Palace 1-1 Aston Villa
A long ball forward from Olsen is flicked on by Watkins and Rogers spins and finishes in one movement. Moments later Watkins flashes an effort wide. It’s all Villa!
Martinez is off and Olsen on at half time
Aston Villa have made a change of goalkeepers at half time. Robin Olsen is on and Emiliano Martinez is off.
Villa have another goal chalked off for offside
They have the ball in the back of the net again, but it’s ruled offside again. Morgan Rogers finished but Watkins was just off in the build-up. Looked like his knee was off. Tough break for Villa.
Sarr should make it 2-0!
Palace are surging now. Eze does really well down the left and crosses for Sarr. His initial shot is saved well by Martinez and the ball then comes straight back to him quickly. He sends the rebound over the bar. He can’t believe it. Big chance for him to grab his and Palace’s second.
Sarr taps home! — Crystal Palace 1-0 Aston Villa
Palace take the lead and the home fans go wild! A cross into the box is headed down by USMNT center back Chris Richards and Ismaila Sarr is there to tap home. There is a VAR check for a possible offside but the goal stands.
Ramsey fires home... but he’s offside
Jacob Ramsey thought he had timed his run well as he drills home a low shot and wheels away. But he was clearly offside. The TV cameras then pan to Marcus Rashford soon after. What a bench Villa have by the way. Malen, Rashford, Bailey and Asensio all options today.
Tielemans heads wide
Villa are starting to control the tempo of this game. A cross is clipped and Tielemans flicks a header just wide. He can’t believe it. He did well to get to it and had to stretch.
Even start at Selhurst
Lots of industry and it’s a very tight first few exchanges in London. Villa have a corner through Tielemans but it comes to nothing.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Garcia, Konsa, Disasi, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bogarde, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Joel Ward (calf)
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (thigh), Amadou Onana (thigh), Pau Torres (ankle), Ross Barkley (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Tyrone Mings, Morgan Rogers
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa prediction
This will be a tight, intense game and the margins will be small. Go for an away win with Villa’s host of magnificent forwards to make the difference. Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa preview
Palace secured an impressive away win at Fulham on Saturday, their fourth in a row in the Premier League, as Oliver Glasner’s side are warming up for another late-season surge up the table. Mateta, Eze and Sarr were all in full flow and Palace are so dangerous to play against.
Aston Villa have talented new attackers settling in with Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio doing the damage in a late comeback win against Chelsea on Saturday. Villa have had defensive injury issues in recent months but they’re hanging in there in the Premier League race for fifth place and were handed a favorable UEFA Champions League last 16 draw against Club Brugge.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Tuesday (February 25)
Venue: Selhurst Park -- London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
