Sarr double helps Palace beat Aston Villa

Ismaila Sarr’s double helped a clinical Crystal Palace sweep Aston Villa aside at Selhurst Park to continue their push towards the top half of the Premier League table.

The Eagles’ home form has been an issue for manager Oliver Glasner, and before Tuesday night’s match Palace had won just twice in the league on their own turf.

It looked like that form was going to continue when Jacob Ramsey had the ball in the net with a neat finish but the goal was ruled out for offside.

ALSO READ ON SPORTING TRIBUNE : Chelsea put four past ‘sorry’ Southampton

Palace forward Ismaila Sarr scored his first of the match in the 29th minute when a Chris Richards header was pushed out by Emi Martinez and Sarr was on hand to tap in from close range.

Villa were a lot better after conceding and thought they had drawn level late in the first half when Morgan Rogers exchanged passes with Ollie Watkins and scored from inside the penalty area but the goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Rogers did score to bring Villa level early in the second half after exchanging passes with Watkins, before Jean-Philippe Mateta restored Palace’s lead with an excellent curled finish past substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen, on after Martinez did not come out for the second half.

Sarr then got his second of the game when Daniel Munoz crossed low into the box and the Senegal striker steered the ball into the far corner, before substitute Eddie Nketiah added a fourth for Palace late on.

The result leaves Glasner’s side in 12th position, after losing just three of their past 15 league games.