Crystal Palace – Aston Villa was a stormy clash at Selhurst Park when the Eagles shot back and won 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
Villa took the lead twice in the first half from John McGinn and Anwar El Ghazi when Christian Benteke briefly equalized.
However, Palace returned in the second half when Wilfried Zaha and Tyrick Mitchell scored a late goal to make an impressive comeback.
With the win goes Palace to 44 points for the season while Villa remains at 49.
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1st encounter at the end of the season in a good way: This was insane from start to finish with 42 attempts to score, the second highest of all PL games this season. Goals came in, both teams had plenty of chances and both made it easy. This is the kind of game you get the best possible way at the end of the season. Palace and Villa don’t have much to play and that allowed them to play with freedom. Their attacking players put on a show and with the lack of key defenders for both, it was a recipe for an incredible end-to-end game.
2. Zaha, Benteke, Eze: This front trio could impress any defense in the league Cause problems. Eze is a star of the future, while Zaha continues to score and excellence, and Benteke has scored a purple stain of six goals in his last 10 games. Since many clubs are looking for Zaha this summer and Benteke no longer has a contract, it is important that Palace somehow hold this trio together. You have the perfect mix of aerial skills, tricks, and speed. With so many players out of contracts this summer and Roy Hodgson possibly moving on, the times are interesting for Palace.
3. Villa Doesn’t Build on Leads: This was a bizarre portrayal of Villa being small Phases of the game was very good. They started well, took the lead, and then sat back and allowed Palace to get back into the game. They did the same just before half-time, after taking the lead a second time. In the second half, they leaned back too far and were far from the pace. Villa’s hopes for a top 10 result this season are as good as over and although they started the campaign really well, their momentum has completely evaporated.
Man of the game: Eberechi Eze – Didn’t score, but was involved in everything Palace did. Brilliant young talent.
Villa got off to a good start when Jacob Ramsey skewed a shot wide, Ollie Watkins looked beaming and Kortney at home barely headed twice. Watkins then moved closer, but Cheikhou Kouyate denied him at the crucial moment as Palace struggled to control Villa’s attack.
Jack Butland threw Watkins a shot as Villa forward in the first half streamed and they finally broke through. McGinn hit a low shot on goal that hit the post and went in when Villas’ captain knocked her out for the day.
Palace struggled after falling behind as Benteke and Zaha bonded well and a good cross by Tyrick Mitchell found Benteke, who nodded home to compensate.
No sooner had Palace reached the level than Villa went back. Watkins threw a loop ball into the box and El Ghazi slammed home to make it 2-1.
Palace started the second half well when Zaha scored a dangerous cross that only missed his teammates. Then Beneke’s header hit the bar and was brilliantly scratched away by Emiliano Martinez.
Villa had a few chances during the break, but Palace got a deserved equalizer. Zaha ran towards Ezri Konsa, cut in, and his shot was deflected by Ahmed Elmohamady.
Eberechi Eze had blocked a shot and then smashed the bar with a bold effort as Palace was more likely to score a late winner.
And they did when Mitchell, the Palace Academy product, came home late to accomplish his first goal.Keywords: