Aston Villa's pursuit of a top-four finish hit a stumbling block on Wednesday night as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Unai Emery's side missed a golden opportunity to capitalise on rivals dropping points, leaving the manager visibly furious at full-time.
Missed Chances Define Stalemate
The match, played on 7th January 2026, saw Villa create the clearer opportunities but fail to convert. Ollie Watkins was the main culprit, spurning three significant chances, including a first-half dink saved and a second-half header that struck the post. He was often teed up by Morgan Rogers, but the final touch was lacking.
Palace, inspired by lively new signing Brennan Johnson, had their moments too but were denied by Villa's goalkeepers. Emiliano Martinez made a good stop before being substituted at half-time, likely due to a back issue. His replacement, Marco Bizot, then stepped up to make a string of important saves in the second period.
Villa Player Ratings: The Standouts and Struggles
The Villa defence emerged with the most credit. Matty Cash was a constant threat down the right, delivering dangerous crosses and earning a high rating. Ezri Konsa marshalled the back line solidly, while Boubacar Kamara produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Palace.
Further forward, the ratings told a story of frustration. John McGinn and Jadon Sancho, on his 100th Premier League appearance, were largely ineffective and received low marks. Unai Emery's anger at referee Andy Madley at the final whistle underscored a night of what might have been for the Champions League-chasing visitors.
Consequences for the Top-Four Race
This result means Villa's long-running difficulty at Selhurst Park continues. Dropping points here, on a night where other contenders also slipped up, represents a significant setback in the race for European football. The inability to turn dominance into goals will be Emery's primary concern as his team looks to regroup. The performance of stand-in keeper Bizot was a rare positive on a frustrating evening in the capital.
