Aston Villa’s inconsistent form continued as they battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in an action-packed clash at Villa Park. While the result ended Villa’s four-match losing streak across all competitions, it did little to dispel the pressure on Unai Emery, as his side came close to yet another setback.
The match started dramatically when Ismaila Sarr silenced the home crowd with an early goal, showcasing his pace and precision. Sarr was a constant menace, running Villa’s defense ragged with his speed and power, and his well-taken opener set the tone for a high-octane affair. Villa responded through Ollie Watkins, who equalized with a composed finish, but the first-half drama was far from over.
Shortly before the break, VAR intervened to award Villa a penalty after Will Hughes was found to have clipped Leon Bailey’s heel. However, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a superb save to deny Youri Tielemans from the spot. Adding insult to injury, Palace broke immediately on the counterattack, and Justin Devenny scored his first professional goal to restore their lead just 57 seconds later.
Villa pushed for another equalizer in the second half and were convinced they deserved a penalty when Maxence Lacroix appeared to foul Watkins in the box, but referee Tim Robinson waved away the appeals. Minutes later, Robinson was at the center of another contentious decision, opting to show only a yellow card to Ian Maatsen for bringing down Sarr when he seemed to be the last defender.
Ross Barkley eventually drew Villa level with a well-placed header, but the tension remained high as Palace nearly snatched a winner late on. Jeffrey Schlupp struck the post, leaving both teams to settle for a point in a match brimming with drama.
For Crystal Palace, it was a familiar story of frustration. After blowing leads at Everton and Wolves earlier this season, they once again failed to secure victory on the road. Barkley’s equalizer ensured the Eagles remain winless away from home, despite another spirited performance. Meanwhile, Villa will hope the draw is a step toward regaining their footing in what has been a difficult stretch for Emery’s side.
