John Townley’s Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery’s side draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League
21:25, 07 Jan 2026Updated 01:57, 08 Jan 2026
Aston Villa drew with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park(Image: PA)
Aston Villa earned a point at Crystal Palace after playing out a 0-0 stalemate at Selhurst Park.
Unai Emery’s side saw two penalty shouts turned down in the first half and came closest to winning the game through Ollie Watkins, who hit the post late on.
Villa asserted their dominance early on and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening 15 minutes. Although Dean Henderson wasn’t tested, John McGinn was unfortunate not to be awarded a spot kick.
The Scot attempted to bring the ball down inside the box, but Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell blocked it with his hand, which was away from his body, although the defender was in close proximity.
Palace created the first clear chance of the game when Adam Wharton split Villa’s defence to find Brennan Johnson racing through on goal. After hesitating, the former Tottenham forward saw his effort tipped over the bar by Emi Martinez.
At the other end, Martinez’s opposite number Dean Henderson produced a key intervention of his own in the 25th minute, rushing off his line to deny Watkins inside the box after the Villa striker had been picked out by Youri Tielemans.
Approaching half-time, Watkins again found himself in a similar position after being played in by Morgan Rogers. He dinked the ball over Jaydee Canvot, who had dived in to win the ball, but Palace defender Maxence Lacroix recovered well to block Watkins’ effort.
Villa had another penalty appeal turned down before the break when Matty Cash’s effort was blocked en route to goal by Mitchell’s hand once again. However, referee Andy Madley waved play on, and VAR Michael Oliver agreed there was no infringement.
Villa’s challenge of winning a 13th match in 14 games was made harder when first-choice goalkeeper Martinez had to be replaced at the break, making way for Marco Bizot to make his ninth appearance of the season already.
The summer signing was nearly called into action inside the first 10 minutes of the second period, but Victor Lindelof blocked Yeremy Pino’s effort with his head.
Pino was involved in the next big chance of the game in the 66th minute, forcing Bizot into a save. Villa’s replacement goalkeeper parried the ball to Justin Devenny, who looked certain to score, but Lucas Digne produced a superb recovery tackle.
Boubacar Kamara was also on hand soon after to prevent what would likely have been the opener for Palace, flying into a challenge on Marc Guehi after the ball dropped loose in the box, with Bizot grounded after attempting to claim Johnson’s cross.
Down the other end, Cash served up a cross to Watkins in the box as Villa worked a set-piece situation, but the England striker saw his header hit the post.
Content cannot be displayed without consentPlayer ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez denied Johnson in the 17th minute with a strong hand, guiding the winger’s effort over the bar. The Argentine was unable to continue at half-time and was taken off for Bizot. 6
Matty Cash
Cash saw a drive from the edge of the box blocked by Mitchell’s hand towards the end of the first half. He also crossed for Watkins in the 84th minute, but the striker hit the post. 8
Ezri Konsa
Konsa battled well against Jean-Philippe Mateta and was largely effective on the ball, playing five passes into the final third and recording an overall passing success rate of 94 per cent. 7
Victor Lindelof
Pau Torres returned to the matchday squad, but Lindelof continued at left centre-back. The Swede headed the ball down for Tielemans in the box early in the second half, but the midfielder couldn’t convert, before blocking Pino’s effort inside the box. 7
Lucas Digne
Digne was one of two changes Emery made to his starting XI, replacing Ian Maatsen. He made a crucial block to prevent Devenny from opening the scoring. 8
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara played his role well before being taken off late on for Lamare Bogarde. The midfielder completed 88 per cent of his 52 attempted passes while creating three chances for his teammates. 7
Youri Tielemans
The Belgian delivered an excellent pass into Watkins’ path in the 25th minute, putting the forward in on goal, but Henderson smothered the attempt in the box. 7
Morgan Rogers
Rogers started on the left side. He rolled the ball across the box in the 60th minute, but there were no takers. 6
John McGinn
McGinn provided central support for Watkins and was effective from the right, linking with Sancho early on. Unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty when Mitchell blocked his touch with his hand. 7
Jadon Sancho
Sancho made his second league start for Villa, having also played from the off at Arsenal last week. He didn’t take his chance, failing to make much of an impact, and didn’t beat his man enough or create when given the opportunity. 5
Ollie Watkins
The Villa striker was looking to score in four consecutive appearances in the competition for just the third time, and first since April 2023. He had his first sight of goal halfway through the first period, but his touch was slightly loose, allowing Henderson to rush off his line. He came close to winning the game late on when his header struck the base of the post. 6
SUBS
Marco Bizot (for Martinez, 46′): Bizot was brought into the action for the start of the second half, making his ninth appearance of the season already. 6
Emi Buendia (for Sancho, 65′): Buendia fired an effort over in the 80th minute with his weaker left foot. 6
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 73′): N/A
Donyell Malen (for McGinn, 73′): N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Kamara, 82′): N/A
Subs not used: Torres, Garcia, Hemmings, Jimoh-Aloba.
GOALS
Crystal Palace: N/A
Aston Villa: N/A
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