Ismaila Sarr excellent, Chris Richards flops: Crystal Palace ratings v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace secured their place in the FA Cup final in stunning style with an emphatic win over Aston Villa at Wembley.
Oliver Glasner‘s side went into the game on Saturday (26 April) the back of a disappointing run of form that had seen them fail to win any of their last four games.
But after Jean-Philippe Mateta had a goal ruled out for a foul, they would take the lead on the half-hour mark thanks to a brilliant strike from Eberechi Eze, giving them a 1-0 advantage at half time.
After the break Crystal Palace saw a chance to double their lead squandered, when Mateta hit the outside of the post with a penalty.
Moments later though they did go 2-0 up thanks to a brilliant finish into the bottom corner from Ismaila Sarr, who would then seal the win with his second in stoppage time.
That was enough to seal a 3-0 win that ensures the Eagles will return to Wembley next month to try and win their first ever major trophy when they face either Nottingham Forest or Man City in the final.
| Crystal Palace last five games | Result |
| Man City (A) | Lost 5-2 |
| Newcastle (A) | Lost 5-0 |
| Bournemouth (H) | Drew 0-0 |
| Arsenal (A) | Drew 2-2 |
| Aston Villa (N) | Won 3-0 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Crystal Palace players in that clash with Unai Emery’s side at Wembley.
Dean Henderson – 8
What a goalkeeper he is now. Made some absolutely brilliant saves to keep his side in control of the game and commanded the area well.
Chris Richards – 4
Richards returned to the side after his sending off against Bournemouth, picked up another yellow here and didn’t have the same impact as others.
Maxence Lacroix – 8
Continues to have a really good debut season for Crystal Palace, a number of really good interventions to shut down Aston Villa attacks.
Marc Guehi – 7
A solid performance in the centre of defence from the Eagles captain to help them to a massive result.
Adam Wharton impresses again
Daniel Munoz – 6
Did a decent job out on the right flank for Palace but wasn’t one of their most influential figures on the day.
Adam Wharton – (off for Hughes, ’88) – 8
Man City, Man United and Tottenham are keen on Wharton and he showed why here, a tireless display hassling the Aston Villa back including to win possession for Sarr’s goal.
Daichi Kamada – 7
Becoming increasingly important in the centre of the park for Crystal Palace. Produced an excellent cross that Sarr should have buried to make it 3-0.
Tyrick Mitchell (off for Chilwell, ’84) – 7
Missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 in the first half, but made some important defensive contributions before being forced off late on.
Jean-Philippe Mateta excels up top
Ismaila Sarr – 9 – Player of the Match
Did well to win possession and tee up Eze for the opener before producing an excellent strike of his own for the all important second, great finish to make it 3-0 as well.
Eberechi Eze (off for Lerma, ’88) – 8
Eze showed why Man United are interested in him with a brilliant strike to open the scoring. Another big goal from the 26-year-old.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (off for Nketiah, ’79) – 9
Real shame he missed the penalty because in every other way he was outstanding. Centre-forward play relentless and a nightmare for Villa to deal with. Even made a brilliant defensive challenge late on as well.
Substitutes
Eddie Nketiah (on for Mateta, ’79) – 7
A real threat after coming off the bench, did really well to set Sarr away for the third.
Ben Chilwell (on for Mitchell, ’84) – 6
Came on after Mitchell had to go off with a knock.
Will Hughes (on for Wharton, ’88) – 6
Took over in the centre of the pitch for the final few minutes.
Jefferson Lerma (on for Eze, ’88) – 6
Helped to see things out late on.