One ‘hapless’ player dealt 3/10 and five ‘clumsy’ 4s - Aston Villa ratings vs Crystal Palace

Aston Villa’s FA Cup dream is over at the semi-final stage after a wonder goal from Eberechi Eze and two clinical Ismaila Sarr strikes earned Crystal Palace a comfortable 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium.

The Villa Park faithful, packing out the east end of Wembley, were stunned as Unai Emery’s men hardly laid a glove on Palace in the first half and were unable to fight back in the second. Dean Henderson was the Villans’ nemesis as the Palace goalkeeper made four important saves, including to keep out Ezri Konsa’s header and Lucas Digne’s half-volley.

It was a quiet first 20 minutes or so as both teams tried to get a feel for the atmosphere but Palace sensed blood on the half-hour mark as Jean-Philippe Mateta saw a goal controversially ruled out. Before Mateta slotted the ball into the net, referee Anthony Taylor had already whistled for a foul the striker on Villa centre-back Konsa. Taylor perhaps should have allowed play to run and let VAR assess as the contact was minimal.

Palace soon forgot that moment as Eze thundered the Londoners in front with a stunner from outside the area. Pau Torres was at fault for Villa as his attempted pass out from the back was blocked by Sarr, who recycled possession on the right flank and found Eze. The finish, first time and curled off his right boot, was immense from Palace’s number 10.

Konsa went agonisingly close to scoring an equaliser for Villa before the break as he headed towards the bottom right from a Marco Asensio corner, but Henderson got down brilliantly to make the save. Tyrick Mitchell then had a big chance to double Palace’s lead as he swung and missed from a clever Daniel Munoz cutback.

Villa started the second half strongly as John McGinn had a powerful effort batted away by Henderson before the Palace goalkeeper made an even more impressive stop to turn Digne’s beautifully-struck 25-yard half-volley around the post.

Palace had a huge opportunity to extend their advantage as they were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute, but Mateta fluffed his lines from the spot, firing wide with a flick off the right post. Boubacar Kamara was spared his blushes as he gave the penalty away so clumsily, completely mistiming his challenge on Eze.

It wasn’t long until the Eagles did have their second, however, as Sarr thumped the ball home from no fewer than 25 yards. Tielemans gave the ball away in midfield as Adam Wharton rushed in to intercept before Mateta laid it off to Sarr, who skipped away from Rogers’ challenge to fire emphatically into the far corner from 25 yards.

Villa dominated possession after going 2-0 down as Palace sat deep in a low block. The chances certainly flowed for Emery’s side but Henderson was equal to everything fired his way.

Palace remained a threat on the transition and Sarr wrapped up the game in stoppage time, rounding off a devastating counter-attack by out-sprinting Konsa and firing clinically past Martinez. The winger could have had a hat-trick as he was merely inches away from scoring a third around 10 minutes before his second, glancing a header just past the post.

Villa head back to Birmingham shocked, depleted and zapped of confidence after that one. Emery has a big job on his hands to lift his players ahead of the rest of the Premier League season.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Crystal Palace

How Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the Villa players at Wembley.

Emi Martinez - Could’ve done better for Eze’s goal as the ball was in his proximity. That might be harsh considering the power on the strike, but Martinez is capable of saving those. Couldn’t do anything about Sarr’s goal as it was right in the corner. Guessed the right way for Mateta’s missed spot-kick but dived the wrong way for Sarr’s second. 4

Matty Cash - Eze proved too much of a handful as he chopped in and out to cause all sorts of problems. Gave away two fouls, too. Didn’t do a great deal wrong in possession, at least. 5

Ezri Konsa - Was weak under the challenge for Mateta’s disallowed strike and was lucky Taylor blew his whistle. Then was beaten easily by a dink over his leg when one-on-one with Mateta a few minutes later. Embarrassed by Sarr for Palace’s third goal, beaten to the ball despite having a head start. 4

Pau Torres - Had to do so much better ahead of Eze’s opener as he gave the ball away cheaply to Sarr. Lacked vigour and direction with many of his other passes, too, and wasn’t strong enough to deal with Mateta’s presence. Rather hapless, unfortunately. 3

Lucas Digne (off 60’) - Struggled to deal with Munoz and Sarr, often caught out when the pair overlapped and underlapped one another. Did well at the other end, though, as he swung in several dangerous crosses. Was also so unlucky not to score a worldie half-volley at the start of the second half as Henderson made a remarkable save. 6

Boubacar Kamara (off 69’) - So clumsy to give away the penalty and will be relieved Mateta missed it. Booked for a poorly-timed lunge on Mateta in the first half. Had occasional joy in the centre of the park but was crowded out more often than usual. 4

Youri Tielemans - Dispossessed by Wharton ahead of Sarr’s first goal in a rare lapse of concentration. Then made another error for the winger’s second as he lost out in a duel, giving away the ball. It’s a shame as he had dealt well with Palace’s high press in the first half. 4

John McGinn (off 60’) Broke up the play on a few occasions but will be disappointed not to have had more of an involvement as captain. 5

Morgan Rogers (off 79’) - Villa’s main threat in a poor first half. Had a decent chance midway through it but fired the ball into the floor and wide. Got Mitchell booked with a terrific powering run forward a few minutes before that. Faded a little in the second period as his energy was zapped. 6

Marco Asensio (off 69’) - Roamed around in attacking midfield, not necessarily remaining central. Swung in the great corner for Konsa’s saved header but otherwise wasn’t able to make his mark. 5

Ollie Watkins - Held up the ball well when required but was starved of chances. 5

Leon Bailey (on 60’) - Offered a bit more urgency down the right and played a couple of key passes in behind. 6

Ian Maatsen (on 60’) - Not able to replicate his terrific recent form. 6