Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, 31 August 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Well, that was a shocker at Villa Park, wasn't it? Aston Villa got absolutely trounced 3-0 by Crystal Palace, and it's safe to say this result was a real surprise. Villa came into this match on the back of a loss and a draw, but they were expected to put up a better fight at home. Instead, Palace ran riot, with goals from Marc Guehi and Ismaïla Sarr sealing the deal. It's a bitter pill to swallow for Villa fans, especially as this defeat extends their winless run. On the flip side, Palace will be buzzing after snapping their own run of draws and climbing up the table.

Credit where it's due, Crystal Palace were clinical and took their chances brilliantly. Jean-Philippe Mateta's early penalty set the tone, and from there, Palace never looked back. Aston Villa had more of the ball, but they couldn't convert possession into goals. It's a worrying sign for Villa, who now find themselves languishing near the bottom of the league. Meanwhile, Palace will be riding high on confidence after this convincing victory, and they'll be looking to keep the momentum going.

The stats tell a story of a game where possession didn't translate into goals for Aston Villa. They had 58% of the ball and took 10 corners, but it was Crystal Palace who made their limited possession count, finishing with a 3-0 win. Palace's efficiency in front of goal was stark, with just one corner but three goals to show for it. The successful dribbles percentage also stands out, with Palace at 75% compared to Villa's 47%, showing their sharpness on the ball.

Despite having more of the game, Villa's inability to create clear-cut chances was evident. They didn't manage a single assist, while Palace had one to their name. The yellow cards were fairly even, with Villa picking up two and Palace three, but it was Palace's discipline and focus that ultimately paid off. This match was a classic case of quality over quantity, and the stats back up the final scoreline.

The game's turning point came early when Jean-Philippe Mateta won and converted a penalty in the 21st minute, putting Crystal Palace in the driver's seat. Mateta's yellow card just a minute later showed his determination, but it was Palace who kept their cool. The second half saw Marc Guehi extend the lead in the 68th minute, a goal that effectively killed off any hopes of a Villa comeback.

Ismaïla Sarr then put the icing on the cake with a goal in the 78th minute, sealing a comprehensive victory for Palace. Aston Villa tried to change things up with five substitutions, but it was too little, too late. The yellow cards for Matty Cash and Marco Bizot in the first half hinted at Villa's frustration, but it was Palace's clinical finishing that made the difference.

Aston Villa lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Marco Bizot in goal and a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, and Ian Maatsen. The midfield was anchored by John McGinn and Youri Tielemans, with Donyell Malen, Morgan Rogers, and Evann Guessand supporting Ollie Watkins up top. Despite having a strong lineup on paper, Villa struggled to make an impact.

The substitutions of Emiliano Buendía, Bradley Burrows, Pau Francisco Torres, Lucas Digne, and Lamar Bogarde in the second half were an attempt to turn the tide, but none of them could change the course of the game. It was a disappointing day for Villa, with no standout performances to speak of.

Crystal Palace opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Dean Henderson between the sticks and a back three of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guéhi. The wing-backs were Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell, with Adam Wharton and Will Hughes in midfield. Up front, Ismaïla Sarr and Daichi Kamada supported Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The impact of the substitutes was minimal, but the starting lineup did the job brilliantly. Marc Guéhi and Ismaïla Sarr both got on the scoresheet, while Jean-Philippe Mateta's early penalty set the tone. It was a solid team performance from Palace, with everyone playing their part in this impressive victory.

Ismaïla Sarr is Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match, and it's easy to see why. His goal in the 78th minute was the cherry on top of a dominant performance by Crystal Palace. Although he didn't register any assists or key passes, his goal was crucial in sealing the win and boosting Palace's confidence. Sarr's contribution was decisive, and he thoroughly deserves this accolade.

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Loss: 0-3 vs Crystal Palace (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs Brentford (A)

• Draw: 0-0 vs Newcastle United (H)

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Win: 3-0 vs Aston Villa (A)

• Draw: 1-1 vs Nottingham Forest (H)

• Draw: 0-0 vs Chelsea (A)

Sitting in 19th place with just 1 point, Aston Villa will be desperate to turn things around when they face Everton, who are in 6th with 6 points, on September 13, 2025 at 14:00. This result will surely force Villa to rethink their approach, and they'll need to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to climb up the table.

With a solid 8th place and 5 points under their belt, Crystal Palace will be looking to build on this win when they take on Sunderland, who are in 5th with 6.0 points, on September 13, 2025 at 14:00. This victory will give them a boost of confidence, and they'll be aiming to keep their momentum going in the next match.

Game Week 4

• Arsenal V Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth V Brighton

• Newcastle V Wolves

• Everton V Aston Villa

• Crystal Palace V Sunderland

• Fulham V Leeds United

• West Ham V Tottenham

• Brentford V Chelsea

• Burnley V Liverpool

• Man City V Man United

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.