Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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Crystal Palace’s slow drift into the Premier League relegation fight continued as Joachim Andersen’s own goal was enough to condemn them to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
Denmark defender Andersen turned a Matty Cash cross into his own net after 27 minutes and there was little sign of a fightback from Patrick Vieira’s side even before six minutes of madness from Cheick Doucoure saw him dismissed for two yellow cards early in the second half.
Unai Emery’s first victory over Palace keeps a Villa side once with relegation worries of their own in touch with the European battle, but though only one place separates these two clubs in the table it is a very different picture for Vieira.
The Frenchman insisted this week he does not fear the prospect of a relegation battle but he surely should as his side’s winless 2023 continued, leaving them only six points clear of the bottom three.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Andersen goes long and Zaha chases it all the way. But Martinez is quickly out of goal to collect. The Villa goalkeeper stays down after colliding with the Palace forward, but appears to just be gathering himself.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Villa are awarded a free-kick and are in absolutely no rush to take it. Vieira looks from the touchline. Barring a miraculous turnaround, this will be a ninth successive Premier League match without victory.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
There are going to be five additional minutes at the end of this contest.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Having scored at the wrong end earlier on, Andersen looks to make amends as he connects with Hughes' delivery. However, he can only prod the ball wide.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
A decent opportunity for Palace, who are awarded a free-kick after Zaha is upended. Hughes goes across to take it.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Villa seek a second goal to kill off the contest. Following a neat build-up down the left, Digne squares the ball for McGinn, but his eventual shot is deflected and subsequently gathered by Guaita.
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