Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Villa now finish the job in the second half.

[Keeno]

Fantastic 45 minutes, probably our best of the season. Very unfortunate not to be 2 up.

[Risso]

Superb first half, easily the best of the season in terms of away games.

[SoccerHQ]

Brilliant half from us, easily best since September.

Does feel like a game though where we need the second to win. They'll have a spell and will probably score one from a set piece.

Some really good moves from us, Ramsey been outstanding drifting in from the left.

Could live with watching this for next 30 months if this is how Gerrard wants to play.

[TonyD]

If we score the second I reckon they will cave in. 
Horrible lot. 

[Villa Lew]

Well done Villa, only disappointment it's only 1 nil.

[mrfuse]

Great first half, lots of good performances with Ramsey the stand out player for me.

[Toronto Villa]

Gerrard will be stressing a clean sheet. That’s more important than a second goal which is not at all to dismiss the value of a second. But you start by defending as a team, create a solid foundation and everything is a lot easier once you have that cohesiveness

[Demitri_C]

Brilliant  performance.  Have to say palace have been dreadful. I doubt they will be that bad second half.

Yojngs been superb. Mings has been collosal- lets hope we dont regret not getting a second

[PaulWinch again]

Yep we need to get that second.

[Goldenballs]

Great half. Watkins is much better as the one through the middle, but he still frustrates the hell out me with him seeming to want the extra touch/second when it looks like he's already got it under control, then losing it.

Think we'll need a 2nd.

[ozzjim]

Fuck me the ref is a one eyed twat

[Smithy]

I'm really liking what seems to be a clear instruction to move the ball more quickly and to look for one-twos to make progress up the pitch.  It doesn't always come off, and they're clearly not 100% on the same wavelength yet, but it bodes well for our attacking potential longer term.

I think Marv has done quite nicely in that half.  He's still a bit limited with the ball, but three of four times he's won the ball when he had no right to, which is ultimately his job in this team.

I'd love a good look at that second penalty shout, I'm surprised it didn't go for a VAR review, it seemed pretty clear in real-time that Ollie got his foot to the ball before the contact.

[Chris_Jephcott]

I reckon Bailey will score one early on in the next half, Palace will lose discipline, one of their players - probably Zaha - will get sent off.

They’ll cave in.

If this happens, I’m off to buy a lottery ticket

[SoccerHQ]

Great half. Watkins is much better as the one through the middle, but he still frustrates the hell out me with him seeming to want the extra touch/second when it looks like he's already got it under control, then losing it.

Think we'll need a 2nd.

Bailey's been worse for taking the extra touch, constantly tackled today when in good areas. It will come with him though.

Really good mix to us today in midfield and switching it. Can't wait to see Luiz in this set up, he'll surely return in midweek.