Player ratings from Crystal Palace’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa – Midfielder scores low after sending off as attackers struggle for consistency
Crystal Palace suffered a 1-0 defeat on the road at Aston Villa after a 27th-minute own goal from Joachim Andersen gave Unai Emery’s side all three points.
The Eagles only recorded five shots inside the opposition’s penalty area and failed to register a shot on target.
Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from Villa Park:
VICENTE GUAITA – 7
Did well early on to stop Matthew Cash from getting a shot off at goal. Could do nothing about the goal.
NATHANIEL CLYNE – 6
He has had a busy start to the match, with Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno attacking his left-hand side.
MARC GUEHI – 7
Excellent second half from the Palace captain, reading the game well and breaking up the play to help Palace stay in the game.
Play a superb pass to Wilfried Zaha in the second half to send the Ivorian through on goal.
JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 6
Turned the ball into his own net in the 27th minute when Matthew Cash broke behind the Palace defence and crossed for the arriving Ollie Watkins.
The Danish defender got his clearance all wrong and turned beyond Guaita.
He had the most touches – 80 – and passes – 72 – of any Palace player.
TYRICK MITCHELL – 6
The opener came down his left-hand side, with Cash overlapping.
Did really well to stop Leon Bailey from breaking through when Villa countered in the final minutes of the game.
Won 100 per cent of his four tackles.
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
Was bypassed by Villa’s midfield for a lot of the game but passed well – completing 95 per cent of his passes at Villa Park.
He won 100 per cent of his four tackles.
Looked a lot more compact once Vieira was forced to switch to a three-man midfield.
CHEICK DOUCOURE – 4
Two needless challenges resulted in a red card for the midfielder in the 62nd minute. Was also surrounded all game by the Villa midfield.
Did not win a single tackle or make a single interception.
Tough afternoon for the summer signing.
EBERECHI EZE – 5
Played through Wilfried Zaha for his disallowed goal but was largely quiet for the rest of the first half.
Was taken off in the 75th minute. Struggling to string consistent performances together.
Only touched the ball 23 times.
JORDAN AYEW – 7
Made a crucial block in the 11th minute to stop Villa from playing through the Palace defence.
Won three of his five pressing tickles
MICHAEL OLISE – 6
A handful of poor crosses in the first half, wasting two set-piece opportunities.
Was taken off in the 67th minute for Jean-Philippe Mateta, which was a surprise as he had just dragged Palace up the pitch and was the most likely player to create something out of nothing.
WILFRIED ZAHA – 6
Took his offside goal well in the 5th minute but was frustrated all afternoon by the Villa defence.
He is fighting for scraps when playing in a central position, away from home, and with a side struggling to create real openings.
Palace look much more of a threat with him in the side.
SUBS
JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA – 5
Had seven touches and lost the ball three times. He was subbed on in the 67th minute and did not complete a pass.
[Players after 75th minute]
WILL HUGHES – NA
Put himself about and brought energy to the game.
NAOUIROU AHAMADA – NA
Did not really get involved.
JAMES MCARTHUR – NA
Great to see him back on a Premier League pitch.