SUITS YOU SARR

Birthday boy Ismaila sinks a double to party with Eagles

- BY CHARLIE GORDON

NEVER mind aiming for a Champions League spot, Crystal Palace left Aston Villa chasing shadows in an emphatic win.

Ismaila Sarr bagged two goals on his 27th birthday either side of Jean-Philippe Mateta's customary strike, and Eddie Nketiah rose from the bench to seal a great night for the Eagles.

Morgan Rogers had levelled brilliantly for Villa after the break, but Oliver Glasner's side were well drilled and pulled clear in the second half to notch only their third Premier League home win of the season.

Villa had set up in an unfamiliar back-three formation to match their opponents man for man.

And they may be a touch bitter about their midweek night in the capital after seeing two first-half goals chalked off by VAR.