Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa lost out to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Two goals in the opening seven minutes – a first of the season for Ollie Watkins and a swift reply from Wilfried Zaha – set the tone for a fast-paced encounter.

VAR ruled out a Jeffrey Schlupp strike for offside as the first half ended level before it intervened once again to assist the award of a Palace penalty on 57 minutes.

Emiliano Martínez made a superb one-handed stop to keep out Zaha’s spot kick, but the Argentine could do nothing to stop the winger tapping home the rebound.

Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta put the finishing touches on Palace’s victory when he volleyed in moments after coming onto the pitch.

Steven Gerrard’s first away game in charge of the club was a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park last season, and the head coach saw his side make the perfect start in south London this time round.

A delightfully simple goal saw Tyrone Mings’ forward pass flicked on by the head of Leon Bailey, with Watkins racing through and applying a clinical first-time finish.

The away fans’ jubilation lasted less than two minutes before Palace drew level via a classy solo strike from Zaha, who shrugged off Matty Cash and evaded Ezri Konsa before pulling a shot into the far corner.

A breathless game was taking shape as both sides wrestled for control, and the hosts looked to have snatched the upper hand when Jeffrey Schlupp controlled the ball and slotted home from close-range with 25 minutes gone.

Villa were handed a reprieve, however, when VAR intervened to rule the goal out after Odsonne Edouard had drifted offside in the build-up.

Both goalkeepers made fine reflex saves in the final five minutes of the half, with Martinez denying Jordan Ayew before Vicente Guaita blocked Emi Buendia’s snapshot as the teams headed back down the tunnel level.

The break in play did nothing to change the ferocious pace of play as the teams picked up where they left off, charging from one end of the pitch of the other.

And it was a swift counter-attack that came within inches of putting Villa back in front when Jacob Ramsey switched the ball to Bailey on the right, with the winger cutting inside and thundering a shot against the crossbar.

VAR came to the visitors’ rescue in the first half but it turned against them just before the hour mark when they sent Adrew Madley to the pitchside monitor, with the referee deciding Lucas Digne had handled Marc Guehi’s header.

Palace talisman Zaha stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by the outstretched hand of Martinez, but the winger was left with a simple tap-in as the ball fortuitously rebounded into his path.

Buoyed by the goal, the home side enjoyed their best period of the match, which resulted in the arrival of a third goal after 71 minutes. Substitute Mateta put the finishing touch on a pinpoint cross from Tyrick Mitchell.

Substitutes Danny Ings and Philippe Coutinho both had chances to set up a tense finish for the hosts before Watkins flicked a header narrowly over in stoppage time.