Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa - Ismaila Sarr double earns back-to-back Premier League victories for Eagles

Crystal Palace secured an impressive 4-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday in a blow to Aston Villa’s top four hopes.

Villa had the ball in the net twice in the first half, but it was Palace who led at the break. Jacob Ramsey slotted beyond Dean Henderson but was ruled offside, while Morgan Rogers' strike just before the break suffered the same fate, with Ollie Watkins deemed to have timed his run too early before delivering the cross.

In between those incidents, birthday boy Ismaila Sarr tapped home from close range to give Oliver Glasner’s side a surprise lead after a period dominated by the visitors.

But it did not take long for Villa to find the net again following the break, and this time it counted after an excellent solo effort from Rogers, who spun his marker in the box before unleashing a clinical strike.

Their lead did not last long though, as Jean-Philippe Mateta continued his excellent form to latch on to a loose ball in the box before wrapping his foot around a fierce effort which flew beyond substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

And Palace made sure of the points against a struggling Villa side when Sarr grabbed his second when he guided a neat volley in at the near post, before Eddie Nketiah scored his first league goal for the club in the dying stages.

"Perfect night," Mateta told TNT Sports. "We stayed patient, we knew the chances were coming and we stuck to the plan.

"I'm happy, I work hard and when I play with [Wharton] I score every game!"

Mateta said European qualification was "possible" for Palace this season, while Adam Wharton added: "Great win, the fans were unbelievable and we had to be patient.

"We stuck to the plan, kept the intensity in the game and the big man [Mateta] and [Sarr] took their chances really well."

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"They've worked so hard to try and get results at home, they've done so well away," Lucy Ward said.

"This could be a real platform for them moving forward this season. They look like they enjoy platying this system, the front three are flying, other players playing well, defense solid and a very good manager in Glasner.

Shaun Derry added: "What a destructive performance that was from them, it was fantastic from start to finish. The reason it clicked was because of the energy, legs and aggression in midfield. Adam Wharton was brilliant all night, absolutely fantastic."

What a result for Oliver Glasner’s side, who sealed back-to-back Premier League wins and only their THIRD home win of the season.

However, it is now four wins in five for the soaring Eagles and the result has thrown a spanner in the works for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side.

They’re pushing for Europe, and specifically another campaign in the Champions League, but it is a big blow in terms of that particular dream with them now four points adrift of the top four with plenty of teams around them to play.

What a result for Palace!

Guehi goes down again and signals a change. That could be one disappointment from a very, very good evening.

He'll try and continue for now.

Nketiah gets his first league goal for the club!

Mitchell somehow keeps hold of the ball as he squeezes past a cluster of white shirts before putting the ball on a plate for Nketiah to tap home.

Into added time.

Lerma fouls Rogers and is cautioned.

The striker replaces Sarr, who has had quite the night and receives a standing ovation on his exit!

The substitute goes in the book for a silly foul.

Last chance saloon for Villa as Ian Maatsen replaces Digne.

Wharton makes way and he's been absolutely brilliant tonight.

Daichi Kamada repalces him.

He beats Olsen to the ball down the left and rounds the keeper, but is far from goal at a tight angle and tries to deliver a cross which Palace clear with ease.

"Villa have been so passive but take nothing away from Palace and how clinical they've been," TNT Sports' Lucy Ward said.

"They've been brilliant in front of goal. From a Villa point of view, it's too easy."

And Palace lead 3-1.

It's another very, very tight offside call.

It's the birthday boy again!

Palace cut Villa open too easily as Wharton finds Munoz down the right, who pulls a cross back for Sarr to volley home for his second!

And here come the big guns!

Asensio and Rashford are off the bench with Ramsey and Watkins heading in the opposite direction.