Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr scored twice as the Eagles dealt a damaging blow to Aston Villa’s chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Sarr slid in to poach the opener and then volleyed in a sublime second after the break to seal the win for the hosts.
🔥 @CPFC are on FIRE to clinch their first home win in almost two months 🔥#CRYAVL pic.twitter.com/2cQ6iEilLW
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 25, 2025
Morgan Rogers, excelling again in front of the watching England boss Thomas Tuchel, did briefly bring Villa level with a fine solo goal.
But Jean-Philipe Mateta hammered in an eighth league goal of 2025 to put Palace in front before Sarr’s crucial touch.
And there was time for Eddie Nketiah to come off the bench and tap in a fourth.
Problems mount for Villa
Villa are flying in Europe and face Club Brugge next week in the last 16 of the Champions League.
It’s tight in the Premier League for a top-five finish that is likely to be enough to get back there but this defeat left Unai Emery’s side down in 10th place.
Emery played a back three for the first time in the league all season and left both stellar January signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on the bench.
Adam Wharton has been involved in all three goals against Aston Villa tonight ⭐
It's his first start since October. He's back. pic.twitter.com/H0xcfTOh7R
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
Rogers was unlucky to have a first-half goal chalked off for a very narrow offside but did score brilliantly after Emi Martinez had parried a header into Sarr’s path for the opener.
The Argentina international then failed to emerge for the second half, adding to Villa’s injury worries.
Mateta’s powerful strike put Palace ahead before Sarr scored the goal of the night with a deft finish.
Nketiah couldn’t miss when Tyrick Mitchell put the ball in and Palace celebrated three points that lift them to 12th.
