The lowdown on Aston Villa 2 Crystal Palace 2 – Henderson keeps Eagles in game as lack of attacking substitutes is evident again

BY ADAM SELLS

Crystal Palace secured a point in a highly entertaining game at Villa Park as they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa.

The Eagles took the lead twice during the game but had stopper Dean Henderson to thank for heading back to South London with a point.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Chalobah, Guehi, Lacroix, Mitchell, Doucoure [Lerma 64], Hughes [Richards 90}, Devenny [Schlupp 74], Mateta, Sarr [Clyne 90].

Bench: Turner, Matthews, Ward, Kporha, Agbinone.

Villa: Martinez, Carlos, Barkley, McGinn [Duran 69], Tielemans, Watkins, Torres, Maatsen [Digne 69], Bogarde [Cash 45], Rodgers [Buendia 82], Bailey [Philogene 82].

Bench: Olsen, Mings, Nedelijkovic, Broggio.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

This game was packed with thrills and spills from the first to the last whistle. The game could have gone either way, with the home side enjoying the bulk of the possession, though the Eagles were a threat on the counter-attack.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Oliver Glasner stuck with his trusted 3-4-2-1 formation, with youngster Justin Devenney filling the attacking role on the left-hand side.

The Northern Ireland international was rewarded with a goal following a sweeping attack on the break.

The Palace boss clearly set out to exploit Villa’s high defensive line, with the lightning-fast Ismaila Sarr a constant menace. Scoring the first after getting behind Ian Maatsen and creating the second. 

STAR MAN

Dean Henderson – the keeper made two critical saves to keep his side in the contest.

BEST MOMENT

There were two. A brilliant low save from Henderson to his right to deny Ollie Watkins. 

The England stopper then followed that up with a tremendous penalty save to the left to deny Youri Tielemans’ penalty kick.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Could Palace have done more to exploit Villa’s high line? 

Sarr was a huge thorn in the side of Unai Emery’s team when on the shoulder of the last man. 

Playing one of the two ‘10’ roles, he was often a little deep when the visitors picked up possession.

Jefferey Schlupp was introduced for Devenny late on and the Premier League winner almost found a way to claim all three points, but he was brilliantly denied by Martinez.

Whilst in front and understandable, it seemed a very cautious change. Could the pace of Asher Agbinone really have helped Palace as the game was stretched?

TALKING POINTS DOWN THE PUB

This was a performance full of energy and endeavour, but Palace’s weak squad and lack of options meant that it was another one that could have been won. 

Ordinarily, a result away from home against a Champions League team is a good one, particularly with seven players missing. 

But this was a Villa team without a few themselves, in a poor run of form and a little extra quality would have tipped the scales.

Aside from the lack of senior options, quite why it is necessary to name two goalkeepers on the bench and leave, for example, academy striker Jemiah Umolu at home, is unfathomable. Though any youngster may not be fully ready, surely it is better to provide experience and some kind of orthodox replacement.

With no centre-forward on the bench and already Sarr substituted, the excellent Jean-Phillippe Mateta appeared to be suffering from cramp for the last minutes, Palace literally and metaphorically limped to the finish line.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“The style with which we played, with all of the circumstances, missing many attacking players, scoring two fantastic goals, at the end playing forward after the equaliser, creating two fantastic chances, makes me really proud.

“We defended together, the spirit, though I’m feeling a little disappointed after leading twice and conceding from a set-play.”

PICTURE: ALAMY