Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa: 'The mood is buzzing, the music is bouncing'

Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah, after scoring his first Premier League goal for the club in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park, said: "The atmosphere was electric, the music was good, everyone was happy." This statement fully reflects the joyful atmosphere after the team's victory, boosting team morale and fan enthusiasm.

Crystal Palace had a slow start to the season, winning only one of their first 10 league games, but have now reversed the trend, losing only three of their last 15 games. They are currently 12th in the Premier League table, but only eight points behind fifth-placed Manchester City, although they have played one game more. Head coach Oliver Glasner said: "We know we can perform very well, and we showed that today," highlighting the team's potential and recent improvements.

This resounding victory over Villa was a milestone, a pivotal moment for many players in the Crystal Palace squad. English midfielder Adam Wharton made his first start after recovering from injury, French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta scored again, English playmaker Eberechi Eze regained his free-flowing form, and forward Nketiah scored his first Premier League goal for Crystal Palace after joining from Arsenal in the summer. Meanwhile, Senegalese forward Ismaïla Sarr scored twice on his 27th birthday, contributing significantly to the team's success.

If Crystal Palace beat London rivals Millwall on Saturday, they will have a chance to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and are chasing a second consecutive top-half league finish. "I think we all got rewarded, the players got rewarded for their hard work," said Glasner. He also mentioned the difficult start to the season, the problematic pre-season, and late arrivals of players, but he emphasized the importance of team unity and hard work. Now they can see the progress and development of individual players and the system, and the players know how to play and what to do, fostering a positive and productive environment.

Glasner was quick to point out that just 10 days earlier, he was in the same position, disappointed by a 1-2 home defeat to Everton. He stated that regardless of the results, their goal is always to continuously improve the team's football and strengthen teamwork. England manager Thomas Tuchel watched the game and was pleased with the performance of midfielder Wharton. Wharton performed well in the game, helping the team score three goals, and his first-time forward passes were excellent throughout the game. Wharton said: "We know the tactics the coach gives us, and if we stick to the plan, we know there's a big chance in every game." Glasner said that Wharton "quickly adapted to the pace of the Premier League again after being out for a few months," praising his resilience and adaptability.

Mateta's performance was equally remarkable. The French forward has scored eight Premier League goals in 2025, tied with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah as the top scorer in the competition. Mateta scored 16 league goals last season and has already scored 12 this season, and is arguably the player who has improved the most since Glasner's arrival. He is the core of the team's attack, and his greatly improved ball control allows players such as Eze and Sarr to run around him. With the team hoping to finish in the top ten and having a chance to make an impact in the FA Cup, the outlook at Selhurst Park is bright, signaling a promising future for the club.