. . World News – USA – Premier League LIVE: Aston Villa v C. . Palace plus Fulham versus Soton

Posted: 13:59 GMT, Jan.. December 2020 | Updated: 16:12 GMT, Jan.. December 2020

What an opportunity for Fulham. Antonee Robinson sends a cross from deep into the Southampton box to find Ivan Cavaleiro in an acre area near the box. However, the striker is very difficult to drag a header over the crossbar.

Nothing is happening in both games, Nada, Zilch. Southampton hits the ball around Craven Cottage with some comfort but no punch.

Villa had several chances to take a 5-0 lead in the game but Mings’ late first-half red card could put some pressure on Palace after the break.

Dean Smith wants to strengthen his defenses, but it is the sniper Traore who is replaced by Ezri Konsa.

It’s Mings against Zaha again, but this time it’s not so fiery. However, this results in an obvious red card for the mansion’s defender who, while checking Zaha to prevent him from passing by, receives his second booking and ultimately a red card.

Great chance for Villa, El Ghazi finds a ball to the back post at the back post, but his target is poor and right at Guaita.

That someone is Wilfried Zaha and somewhere on the center line with Mings. The mansion striker is apoplectic with the defender, accusing him of stamping his ankle. I wouldn’t say Mings is completely innocent, but he has an argument that it’s not on purpose and after the players were quickly separated from teammates, both are booked.

nonsense yellow card this. Bobby Decordova-Reid attacks Ward-Prowse well, who is dangling his leg to collect his foot on the way through the foot. Result – yellow for the Fulham striker. No justice.

Half the chance for the home team. Grealish cuts in from the left before standing up for Anwar El Ghazi. The striker spots a gap to shoot, but his attempt to reach the bottom corner of the post from the edge of the box is pulled far.

A decent game. Palace now have a free kick from the edge of the box but Luka Milivojevic’s curling hit is taken out of the air by Martinez, who had to move his arms in the direction he dived after misunderstanding the ball’s deviation.

The modern David Beckham is back. James Ward-Prowse’s free kick (below) from 25 yards bounces off the crossbar, but with an open goal to hit, Che Adams somehow fails to turn the rebound after misjudging the spin on the ball.

Palace wasn’t a total mess in the attack, however. Matty Cash looks in big trouble after kicking Patrick van Aanholt into the box. VAR takes a long, long look at it as there is a suggestion that Cash play the ball first. He can get the slightest touch and this element of doubt enables him to get away with it. I think that’s a reasonable call.

Another chance for the villa. This time the ball bounces around the six-yard box, but Guaita blocks Watkins’ attempt at close range. Palace’s backline really needs to wake up here.

Villa should have about three gates here! You counter with this man Traore, who pocketed a through pass for Jack Grealish from the center line. He appears to have pushed as he steps into the box, but he remains on his feet before his attempt is fired directly at Guaita. I still think he has a case there for punishment.

Whatever Traore had for lunch, I want some. The Villa forward had an excellent start with the goal and now he leaves just before a second. He collects a pass from Watkins before cutting inward and shooting over the goal, where the ball bounces deep off the post and is safe.

Southampton I think they have won their last nine games against newly promoted players but they are on the defensive in the early exchanges at Craven Cottage. Fulham has started to apply pressure well.

Scott Parker will be pleased with his side of his isolation hole at home with his assistant, Stuart Gray, the captain on the line of contact. Gray revealed ahead of the game that Parker has now tested negative for the coronavirus.

There is a penalty for Fulham in which a shot hits a raised hand by Jan Bednarek. It is clearly not intended, however, as he protected his face before the ball bounced on his arm. A VAR look at least comes to the conclusion that the referee’s call to play is not a clear and obvious mistake.

What a start at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins breaks into the box, where Vicente Guaita saves his shot on goal, but can only push the ball into the path of Bertrand Traore, who bangs home.

Crystal Palace should be ahead within 40 seconds! Tyrone Mings looks like he’s running through treacle as he tries to intercept a through pass destined for Wilfired Zaha, but although the Eagles forward picks up the ball, his shot in the box is well saved by advancing Emiliano Martienz.

Manchester United, who have emerged as title challengers against Liverpool in recent weeks, drew 2-2 against European Leicester in the early start of Boxing Day.

Jamie Vardy saved in the 85. One point for the foxes after Bruno Fernandes believed he had scored the winner.

CRAIG HOPE: Aston Villa boss Dean Smith believes Jack Grealish has taken his game to « new levels » over the past few weeks despite off-field distractions.

Smith won’t talk about his captain’s nine-month driving ban after admitting two cases of negligent driving earlier this month.

But on the pitch, Grealish was the inspiration for five away wins out of six with Villa in the top half of the Premier League.

We’re bringing you live updates of Aston Villa versus Crystal Palace and Fulham versus Southampton.

Aston Villa will look to increase their chances of European football next season if they host Crystal Palace at Villa Park as one of two games that start at 3pm on Boxing Day.

Elsewhere, Fulham are hoping to get out of the relegation zone at Craven Cottage when they face the soaring Southampton.

Follow DAN RIPLEY on Sportsmail for live coverage of both Premier League games, including scores, line-up and build-up.

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Aston Villa F. . C.. . , Premier League, Dean Smith, Crystal Palace F. . C.. . , Jack Grealish