Aston Villa made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League with Joachim Andersen’s first-half own goal enough to secure 1-0 victory over 10-man Crystal Palace.
Unai Emery’s side had an early scare when the returning Wilfried Zaha had an early goal ruled out for offside by VAR, but it was the home side who eventually took the lead when Joachim Andersen turned Matty Cash’s low cross into his own net (27).
Palace’s problems grew worse just after the hour mark when Cheick Doucoure was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on substitute Calum Chambers, and there was no way back for Patrick Vieira’s side as their struggles in front of goal continued.
The defeat extended Palace’s winless run to nine matches as Vieira’s side stay six points above the relegation places. They remain winless in 2023 and their worrying drop towards the relegation zone continues.
Meanwhile, victory sees Villa, who stay 11th, move seven points ahead of Palace in 12th.
The Premier League table: Palace’s worrying drop continues…
How Villa edged past Palace…
Joachim Andersen diverts the ball into his own net to give Aston Villa the lead
The pattern for this game was set early. Aston Villa were dominating the ball, while Crystal Palace were looking to strike on the break, and it almost worked for the visitors.
Zaha, returning to Palace’s starting XI after four games out with a hamstring injury, raced in behind the Villa defence to latch onto Eberechi Eze’s through ball and round Emiliano Martinez to give what he thought was an early lead to his side.
However, the VAR lines were out and the goal was disallowed following a tight offside call.
In a game of few chances, Villa took the lead with 27 minutes gone thanks to an own goal from the unfortunate Andersen.
John McGinn’s pass perfectly found the run of Matty Cash and as his low cross sought Ollie Watkins in the middle, Andersen slid in but could only send the ball into his own net.
Villa who should have extended their lead before the break. Emiliano Buendia’s pass found Watkins, who found himself free inside the area, but he could only place his shot the wrong side of the post.
There had been little sign of Palace finding a way back into the game in the early part of the second half, and they were then left with a mountain to climb just after the hour mark.
Cheick Doucoure is shown a red card by referee Craig Pawson
Doucoure was booked for a nasty-looking challenge which ended Boubacar Kamara’s afternoon in the 56th minute, and when he then left Kamara’s replacement Calum Chambers needing treatment with another late tackle moments later.
Referee Craig Pawson had little option but to produce a second yellow card, leaving Palace not just a goal down but also a man down.
Zaha did his best to try and get Palace back into the game, wriggling free of three defenders before bending a shot inches wide.
Vicente Guaita did well to keep out McGinn’s shot from close range as Villa pushed for a second, and the midfielder wasted another glorious opening when he took too long to get a shot away after meeting Chambers’ cutback, and his shot was blocked.
In the end, the missed chances didn’t prove costly as Villa made it two wins from as many league games, while Palace’s slow drop towards the relegation zone continued.
What’s next?
Saturday 11th March 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Aston Villa travel to West Ham in the Premier League next Sunday at 2pm before hosting Bournemouth on March 18 at 3pm.
Up next for Crystal Palace is a Premier League home match against Manchester City next Saturday at 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports. The Eagles then make the trip to rivals Brighton on March 15 at 7.30pm.
