Villa earns 1-0 win over Palace after goalkeeper error

Villa had not tasted success in the Premier League since beating AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, but the league’s bottom club held on for a narrow win on Tuesday.

After 58 minutes, though, Lescott mustered the ideal response as Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey fumbled his header over the goalline. The two of them are alleged to have sworn at Villa fans at Adams Park after they were confronted about playing a game to see how far they could spit their chewing gum while sitting on the bench. “I’m very pleased for the players because they made huge efforts today… now we have to build on this win”.

Crystal Palace assistant manager Keith Millen insists they are not expecting as easy ride when they visit hapless Aston Villa tonight.

“I want my players to be more confident and hopefully that’s what will happen”. Villa is provisionally eight points from safety.

Carlos Sanchez and Alan Hutton (both hamstring) are out along with Adama Traore (foot) and Gabriel Agbonlahor is struggling with a back problem, while Jack Grealish is a doubt after missing the weekend draw with tonsillitis.

“I knew about that for a long time, it was planned the week before and then they have a lot of stuff to discuss like in every club”, said Garde.

This time Villa Park and its players needed the unity that their manager so desperately wanted.

Palace again came close shortly before the half-hour mark, however, when Damien Delaney steered a Yohan Cabaye free kick inches past the post with Mark Bunn rooted to the spot in the Villa goal.

“He is an experienced player and should be very important for the team”.

As has nearly always been the case this season, Villa’s failure to take chances allowed the visitors back in the game and Palace could have taken the lead if Sako’s long-range shot in the 20th minute was inches lower.

The Spaniard scored a superlative goal in his side’s last Premier League match at Sunderland, but defeat coupled with several moments of comical defending only served the reaffirm why the Villans appear to be relegation certainties.

Villa deserved their first home win in the league since May 9 and though survival still looks mission improbable, at least there were signs of fight that had previously been lacking.

“He has been brilliant for us and his mistake cost us the goal but we made mistakes in other areas all night”.