Crystal Palace 3 Aston Villa 2 - Player Ratings

Emiliano Martinez

Had no chance with any of the goals. Saved the shots he was expected to and generally handled the ball well. Would have liked more protection in front of him.

Exposed 6

Ahmed Elmohamady

A performance which highlighted why Villa will be bidding farewell to the veteran Egypt international after four years at the club. Just not as sharp as he used to be.

Sluggish 5

Ezri Konsa

Took on a greater leadership role in Villa’s defence with Tyrone Mings absent. Threw himself in the way of several shots and did his best to hold things together. It wasn’t enough.

Outnumbered 6

Kortney Hause

Performed well in the first-half despite being outjumped by Benteke for Palace’s first goal. Struggled in the second half as the home side limited his time and options on the ball.

Struggled 5

Matt Targett

Not for the first time in recent weeks the pick of the Villa’s backline. Set up a number of good attacks with balls down the left flank in the first half. Less effective in the second.

Steady 6

John McGinn

Together with El Ghazi the brightest player on the pitch during the first half. Scored a sublime opener and then played a part in creating the second. Couldn’t keep it going.

Mixed 6

Douglas Luiz

Another who was unable to build in a bright first-half performance. Looked lively in the early stages and alert to danger. In the second half he was outgunned as Eze claimed a greater influence.

Fizzled 6

Bertrand Traore

Contributed to Villa’s impressive attacking performance during the opening half with some neat link-up play with Elmohamady. Perhaps a little unfortunate to be the first player taken off.

Unlucky 5

Jacob Ramsey

Missed a good chance to open the scoring and bag his first Premier League goal in the opening 90 seconds. Faded badly as the game went on and bypassed too easily. All part of the learning curve.

Lesson 5

Anwar El Ghazi

Villa’s best player over the course of the 90 minutes. Bagged his ninth Premier League goal of the season and was a constant menace in the opening half. Less influential after switching wings.

Bright 7

Ollie Watkins

The striker delivered a performance with everything but the goal when Villa first faced Palace this season. Looked set to deliver a repeat during the opening 45 minutes but his levels also dropped after the break. A frustrating afternoon.

Worker 6

Substitutes

Jack Grealish (for Traore, 65) 5, Keinan Davis (for Ramsey, 85), Wesley (for El Ghazi, 88) Subs not used: Taylor, Engels, Nakamba, Chukwuemeka, Barkley, Steer (gk).