Aston Villa player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Digne, Konsa and McGinn all poor in defeat

Wilfried Zaha was Aston Villa’s nemesis at Selhurst Park as the Crystal Palace forward inspired the hosts to come from behind to win in emphatic fashion. It was Villa who were ahead after just five minutes thanks to Ollie Watkins’ first goal of the season but, moments later, Zaha pegged Villa back before he himself completed the comeback in the second-half courtesy of an incredibly harsh VAR handball call on Lucas Digne.

Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, made three changes to his starting line-up at Selhurst Park, drafting in Ezri Konsa, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey, with the latter teeing up Watkins for his first goal of the season with a cute header.

Tyrone Mings, in alongside Konsa, lofted a long ball upto Watkins which fell short and Bailey was on hand to nudge it on with Watkins making no mistake from just inside the penalty area to strike home for 1-0.

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However, less than two minutes later, Villa’s good work was undone and it took a simple long ball from deep to cut Gerrard’s men open as Zaha latched onto it, shrugged past Matty Cash and Konsa before slotting home for 1-1.

After the break it was that man again, Zaha, who converted at the second time of asking after a controversial handball on Digne. The left-back jumped with Marc Guehi from a curling Eberechi Eze corner before VAR instructed referee Andy Madley to take another look. Madley pointed to the spot and Zaha had his penalty saved before he stroked home on the rebound for 2-1.

It was soon 3-1 when substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta powered home after running off Mings to convert Tyrick Mitchell’s brilliant cross.

And that’s how it stayed with Villa really poor away from home for the second successive time this season given their showing down at Bournemouth on the opening day. Here’s the player ratings…

Starting formation: 4-3-3

Emi Martinez – Will perhaps be disappointed with Zaha’s effort that beat him given the angle of the Palace forward prior to shooting with his left foot. Martinez did save well twice from Ayew, though, after the ex-Villa forward kept ghosting in from the left-hand side. Martinez did well to palm out Guehi’s headed effort which led to the penalty which he saved before Zaha tapped home the rebound for 2-1. Martinez had no chance with Mateta’s strike which put the game out of sight. Martinez also denied Hughes late on with the stopper the only Villa player – other than perhaps Watkins – with a decent contribution this afternoon. 7*

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez speaks to team-mate Tyrone Mings (Image: PA Wire)

Matty Cash – Enjoyed a real ding-dong with Zaha on this near touchline, with the Palace ace getting the better of Cash for his equaliser. Cash, though, was always looking to bomb forwards and he carved out a great chance for Buendia before the break. Got caught out by Zaha and Mitchell as the pair combined to cross for Mateta for 3-1. Never looked comfortable. 5

Ezri Konsa – Looked uneasy on his return to the starting XI and gifted a dangerous ball to Palace just moments in which could have led to the opener. Konsa also didn’t get tight enough to Zaha for the goal. Really struggled out there while Calum Chambers is probably wondering what he must do to get the nod. Konsa went close with a header late on but, given his standards, it was a really disappointing showing up against Palace’s attack. 4

Tyrone Mings – Had a hand in Watkins’ opener, lifting a long ball upfield which Bailey nodded on but, for Palace’s third goal, got caught out after some good movement from goalscorer Mateta. 5

Lucas Digne – Really frustrated as he headed off at half-time because, prior to the break, was dragged across centrally which allowed Ayew a free strike on goal which could have made it 2-1. Digne, though, spurned a decent chance at the far post but he scuffed his right-footed effort. Digne really struggled to keep Ayew quiet and his afternoon was summed up after a pretty harsh handball which led to the penalty which put Palace in front. Really out of sorts. 4

Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne in action against Crystal Palace (Image: 2022 Getty Images)

John McGinn – Frustrated would be the word for the captain which was summed up as he hacked at Eze which resulted in him going in the referee’s book. The Scot was lucky to stay on the pitch after a challenge on Zaha in the second half. Replaced after Mateta scored as Gerrard was concerned the midfielder would have seen red. 4

Boubacar Kamara – Couldn’t contain the likes of Eze and Schlupp who were given the licence to run at him. Palace striker Edouard often dropped back to pinch balls off Kamara as well which made the Frenchman’s task all the more difficult. 5

Jacob Ramsey – Didn’t really affect the game in the first 45 minutes. Ramsey was tidy when he had it but Villa were out-passed for large periods. It was the exact same in the second with Ramsey near non-existent sadly. 5

Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew and Villa’s Jacob Ramsey in action (Image: 2022 Getty Images)

Leon Bailey – Assisted Watkins with a cute header on the bounce after Mings’ long ball but faded after that while complaining with a dead leg which he soon ran off. Put in a dangerous cross while, after the restart, Bailey almost put Villa back in front with a stunning effort which struck the crossbar. Made way Ings just after the hour. 6

Ollie Watkins – Finished really well for his first of the season, taking his time before slotting past Guaita from just inside the area after Bailey headed into his path. Didn’t see much of the ball as Palace kept coming. 6

Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring the opening goal at Selhurst Park (Image: 2022 Getty Images)

Emi Buendia – In for his first start of the season and buzzed around on the left-hand side. Buendia lost possession which led to Zaha’s goal back, while the Argentinian should have put Villa ahead before half-time after a good pick-out by Cash on the right side. 5

Substitutes

Danny Ings on for Bailey, 66 minutes

Douglas Luiz on for McGinn, 72 minutes

Philippe Coutinho on for Buendia, 72 minutes

Subs not used: Robin Olsen, Calum Chambers, Ludwig Augustinsson, Ashley Young, Marvelous Nakamba, Cameron Archer.

Opposition

Crystal Palace, 4-3-3: Guaita; Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp (Hughes, 82); Ayew (Olise, 70), Edouard (Mateta, 70), Zaha (Milivojevic, 82).

Subs not used: Johnstone, Whitworth, Clyne, Richards, Ebiowei.

Goals

Crystal Palace: Zaha (7, 58), Mateta (71)

Aston Villa: Watkins (5)

Referee: Andy Madley

Next up for Villa: Bolton (a) in Carabao Cup second round; Tuesday, August 23; kick-off 7.45pm; live on Sky Sports

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