Premier League highlights: Guehi scores as Crystal Palace thump Aston Villa

At a glance

  • Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez not involved for Aston Villa amid transfer rumours

  • Jean-Philippe Mateta puts Crystal Palace ahead from the penalty spot

  • Palace captain Marc Guehi, also linked with a move away, scores a stunner before Ismaila Sarr wraps it up

  • PLAYER RATER

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Captain Marc Guehi shook off the distraction of his club future to score a stunning curling effort and help Crystal Palace to an impressive win at Aston Villa.

The goal, which helped seal Palace's first win of the Premier League season, could mark a fitting end to Guehi's four-year stay at Palace, with the England centre-back heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.

Already leading through Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-half penalty, Guehi latched on to a loose clearance from Ezri Konsa and found the top corner from the edge of the box.

The majestic strike came at a time when Unai Emery's Villa were threatening to find an equaliser after a flat first-half performance at Villa Park.

Villa were dealing with their own distractions from Monday's looming transfer deadline, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez not included in their squad amid interest from Manchester United.

Mateta, who scored 14 league goals in 2024-25, had opened the scoring on 21 minutes with his first goal of the new campaign from the spot, after Daichi Kamada was tripped by goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

The victory was sealed in the 78th minute when Ismaila Sarr headed home after a long throw-in to the box was flicked on towards the far post by Maxence Lacroix.

The hosts dominated early possession but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after Kamada was fouled by Bizot, with Frenchman Mateta sending the Villa keeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Oliver Glasner's side could have been 2-0 up shortly after but Sarr was unable to keep his header down from the cross of marauding right wing-back Daniel Munoz.

On the one occasion Villa went close in the first half through Ollie Watkins, Palace keeper Dean Henderson saved brilliantly to preserve his side's lead.

Villa were much improved after the restart and Henderson had to dive low to his right to deny Morgan Rogers before Guehi's goal sent them on course for a much-needed win.

Unbeaten Palace now have five points and are eighth in the table while Villa are second from bottom, with only one point, having not yet scored a goal.

'A great example of doing the right things' - Guehi's potential perfect Palace swan song

Crystal Palace analysis: Win caps off perfect week

Palace must keep Guehi to have successful season - Glasner

Palace were in action midweek when they looked unconvincing but effective to qualify for the Conference League with a goalless draw against Fredrikstad.

So it wasn't surprising they were happy to sit back and invite pressure from the Villans before trying to cause problems with quick breaks through the likes of Munoz, Sarr and Mateta.

And Glasner's players executed the plan to perfection to go six games unbeaten against Villa, who they also beat at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, and set a club record 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

After commendable draws against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, it was an important win for the Eagles before the international break.

With Mateta and Sarr on the scoresheet and new signing Yeremy Pino also impressing during a short cameo, the result wrapped up a perfect week for Palace.

The only concern will be the fitness of midfielder Adam Wharton, who had to be withdrawn in the 56th minute and will have a scan on Monday to find out the extent of his injury.

But with the transfer window closing shut on Monday, Glasner can now turn his attention to the movements of players, including Guehi, whose performance proved why he is key for the club and has attracted suitors this summer.

Aston Villa analysis: Problems aplenty for Emery

Emery on Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

The weight of both the winless and goalless tags will be heavy on Villa manager Emery's mind, going into the first international window of the season.

They have followed up a goalless draw against Newcastle which kicked off their season with defeats by Brentford, who have lost players like Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard as well as their manager Thomas Frank, and Palace.

It was an evening to forget for the Villa supporters, who grew increasingly frustrated by their side's lack of threat and intent.

And Villa's first defeat on home soil since another loss to the Eagles in the League Cup in 2024 brought to an end their 22-game unbeaten run at Villa Park.

The biggest talking point in the build-up was Martinez's potential move to United and 34-year-old Dutch international Bizot was at fault to give away Palace's opener.

Emery's side failed to flatter up front too, with new signing Evann Guessand largely ineffective before being replaced by Emi Buendia at half-time.

They have now failed to score in the first three games of the league for the first time in 28 years and after a summer that saw little investment in the squad, Emery will have an uphill task to maintain the club's upward trajectory this time around.

What's next for these teams?

When Premier League returns after the international break, Aston Villa will make the trip to Merseyside to take on Everton on Saturday, 13 September (15:00 BST).

Crystal Palace will also be in action at the same time as newly promoted Sunderland visit Selhurst Park for the first time in eight years.

Where next?

Player of the match

M. Guéhi
8.91
10 E. Buendía
4.49
7 J. McGinn
3.97
8 Y. Tielemans
3.81
40 M. Bizot
3.70
22 I. Maatsen
3.69
5 T. Mings
3.67
4 E. Konsa
3.60
27 M. Rogers
3.59
11 O. Watkins
3.48
83 B. Burrowes
3.47
17 D. Malen
3.37
2 M. Cash
3.35
29 E. Guessand
3.34
14 Pau Torres
3.26
26 L. Bogarde
3.24
12 L. Digne
3.24
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