Aston Villa were looking to bounce back from their recent poor run of form when Crystal Palace visited Villa Park on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s men were winless in five matches and Aston Villa threatened to make it six early on after going behind for the seventh time in the Premier League this term.
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Crystal Palace caught Emery’s high line out inside just three minutes as former Villa target Jean-Philippe Mateta played the ball through to Ismaila Sarr, who placed the ball past Emi Martinez.
The Villans were second to every ball for most of the first half, but an excellent through pass from John McGinn saw Ollie Watkins round Dean Henderson and get the hosts back on level terms.
Villa were then handed a penalty just before half-time after a foul on Leon Bailey, though Youri Tielemans failed to convert and moments later, youngster Justin Devenney scored at the other end.
In the second half, the hosts unsurprisingly dominated most of the game without creating many chances until Ross Barkley glanced home a Tielemans corner in the 77th minute.
When Villa went in search of a winner, they were fortunate not to go behind as Jeffrey Schlupp produced a world-class save out of Emi Martinez.
In the end, Emery had to settle for a point when before the game he would have demanded all three, leaving the Villans three points behind the Champions League places.
Here’s how the players rated.
Emi Martinez – 6
Martinez had to pick the ball out of his net twice but he produced an outstanding save to deny Schlupp after Barkley equalised.
Lamare Bogarde – 4
Offered very little for Villa down the right and was substituted at half-time for Matty Cash.
Pau Torres – 6
Sprayed a brilliant pass to McGinn before he slid the ball through to Watkins for his equalising goal. The Spaniard rarely put a foot wrong – it was mainly just Emery’s high line exposing him.
Diego Carlos – 4
Carlos was sloppy in possession and made a few rash challenges. The Brazilian’s lack of pace also highlighted how much Villa missed the injured Ezri Konsa.
Ian Maatsen – 6
Maatsen finally made his first Premier League start after Lucas Digne’s international exertions. But the Dutchman arguably didn’t show enough quality down the left and was replaced by the Frenchman in the second half.
Youri Tielemans – 5
Tielemans didn’t have his best game for Villa. He missed a penalty at a decisive moment in the match as Palace went down the other end and scored moments later.
Ross Barkley – 5
Barkley started in the absence of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara. The Englishman was often sloppy in possession, however, his glancing header brought Villa back level.
Leon Bailey – 3
Handing Bailey a 3/10 player rating was generous. Despite winning a penalty that Tielemans missed, the Jamaican was constantly caught in possession and ruined several attacks. He was a bit improved in the second stanza but it was another poor afternoon for Bailey.
Morgan Rogers – 5
Rogers has been one of Villa’s impressive performers, especially of late, but this afternoon he had arguably one of his worst games. Emery criticised Rogers for his lack of end product and that was evident against Palace.
John McGinn – 7
A constant threat for Villa in the pockets of space and supplied an inch-perfect through ball for Watkins equaliser. Out of possession, he was his usual hardworking self, brimming with confidence after the international break.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Provided a bit of quality for Villa when they needed it most, rounding Dean Henderson brilliantly to tap the ball home. Worked himself into the ground and constantly ran in behind – two traits that make him a top-drawer striker.
