Aston Villa 3 Crystal Palace 0 - Player ratings
See how we rated the Aston Villa players in their win over Crystal Palace.
Emiliano Martinez
Saved well from Zaha to prevent Palace taking a first-minute lead.
Didn’t have a serious shot to save after that, but his handling and presence were key to the clean sheet.
Commanding 7
Matty Cash
The right-back is rapidly becoming a fan favourite with his performances.
Makes key interceptions, is strong in the tackle and is rarely caught out of position despite a willingness to get forward.
Dependable 7
Kortney Hause
Kept his place in the team despite Konsa’s return to fitness and justified Dean Smith’s decision with another assured display that included his second Premier League goal.
Assured 8
Tyrone Mings
Looked unsure of how to handle Zaha from the first minute and was some way below his best before being dismissed on the stroke of half-time, having picked up two bookings in quick succession.
Unsteady 5
Matt Targett
Another man who is firmly in the frame for this season’s most-improved player.
Looks a far more confident figure and much stronger in the tackle.
Tenacious 8
John McGinn
Put in an admirable shift in midfield after Villa had been reduced to 10 men.
It was McGinn’s pass from his own half which helped set up the move for the opening goal. Getting back to his best.
Clever 7
Douglas Luiz
Arguably the biggest factor in Villa’s transformation from strugglers to contenders has been Luiz’s emergence as a defensive midfielder of some talent.
Classy 7
Bertrand Traore
After a slow start to life at Villa, supporters are now starting to understand why the club paid out £19million for the Burkina Faso international.
Excellent before being sacrificed following Mings’ dismissal.
Sublime 8
Jack Grealish
The BBC audience offered Villa’s skipper the biggest showcase of his career for some time, but while this was still a very good performance, he was arguably usurped by some of his team-mates.
Leader 7
Anwar El Ghazi
The Dutch winger now has four goals in as many games and looks a player completely transformed.
Still needs to be more clinical but there could be few complaints over his finish for the goal.
Sharp 7
Ollie Watkins
Ordinarily having your striker on a six-match goal drought would be cause for concern. Not when he is putting in performances like this, it isn’t.
Did everything but score.
Relentless 8
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa 7 (for Traore, 45+3) Ahmed Elmohamady (for El Ghazi, 86), Jacob Ramsey (for Luiz, 90+1). Subs not used: Taylor, Guilbert, Nakamba, Hourihane, Davis, Heaton.
