Aston Villa ended their long wait for a win in the Premier League by claiming a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace this evening.
The only goal of the match came from Christian Benteke, who stole the ball from Scott Dann before driving to the edge of the box and curling a strike into the bottom corner.
Here, Sports Mole has rated the performances of each of the players on show at Selhurst Park.
CRYSTAL PALACE:
Goal
Julian Speroni: Made a couple of decent saves to deny Benteke and Weimann. Can't be blamed for the goal, which was curled beyond his reach into the far corner. (6/10)
Defence
Joel Ward: Had a solid game at the back dealing with the threat of Hutton, but was rarely able to get involved in his own team's attacks. (6/10)
Brede Hangeland: Was rarely troubled at the back and could not have done too much about the opening goal. (6/10)
Scott Dann: It was his mistake that led to Benteke's goal. He lost possession inside his own half, which allowed the striker to race to the edge of the box and curl the ball into the corner. (5/10)
Martin Kelly: Another defender who was not overly troubled by the Villa attack, but dealt well with the threat of Agbonlahor when called upon. (6/10)
Midfield
Yannick Bolasie: Saw plenty of the ball and looked to be his side's main threat. He saw a decent attempt saved by the keeper and put a number of dangerous crosses into the box. (7/10)
Wilfried Zaha: Troubled the Villa defence with his searing pace, but time and time again after getting in behind, his final ball let him down and his deliveries were poor all night. (5/10)
Mile Jedinak: Quiet game for the Palace captain. Was good in possession, but struggled to get involved in his team's attacks and failed to test out Guzan. (6/10)
James McArthur: Decent showing for the midfielder who helped the Eagles to dominate the midfield. Kept them ticking over and always used the ball well. (6/10)
Attack
Dwight Gayle: Not the best of evenings for the striker, who had come into the game as an injury doubt. He failed to test the keeper and was replaced at half time by Campbell. (6/10)
Marouane Chamakh: Quiet outing for the striker. He was not involved too much and was replaced by Jutkiewicz shortly after the hour mark. (5/10)
Substitutes
Frazier Campbell: Was brought on at half time and added more energy to the Palace attack, but still could not find a way through. (6/10)
Jason Puncheon: Came on for the final minute of the match and was unable to make an impact. (6/10)
ASTON VILLA:
Goal
Brad Guzan: Had a very shaky start to the match when he spilled a relatively easy shot from Bolasie. He made a better save to deny the winger later in the half and proved to be an assured presence at the back as his team held on to the win. (6/10)
Defence
Alan Hutton: Struggled against the pace and power of Bolasie all evening. When he did get forward he posed a threat and it was his cross that led to Weimann's big chance. (6/10)
Ciaran Clark: Impressive display from the Ireland international. Looked solid at the back and made a number of crucial challenges. The Palace attack rarely got in behind him and he provided a good shield for Guzan. (8/10)
Jores Okore: He gave away the penalty that cost Villa at the weekend, but the young defender produced a strong performance this evening. Won a number of challenges and never looked like getting beaten for pace. (7/10)
Aly Cissokho: He was given a torrid time by Zaha, who constantly got in behind him. Due to the threat of the Palace winger he was forced back, but improved as the night wore on. (6/10)
Midfield
Tom Cleverley: Used the ball well, but was overrun by the Palace midfield for large periods of the match. (6/10)
Joe Cole: Was hardly able to make an impact after limping out of the game with an injury inside the opening 10 minutes. (6/10)
Andreas Weimann: Did not make a huge impact, but almost scored a second for Villa with a strike that was well saved by Speroni. (6/10)
Ashley Westwood: Decent showing in the heart of the midfield. Put in a number of good tackles as his side came under heavy pressure. (7/10)
Attack
Christian Benteke: Scored the only goal of the match with a fine finish. He held the ball up well and showed how important he is to this Villa side. (8/10)
Gabriel Agbonlahor: Did not have many chances to impress in the attack, as his team were largely on the back foot, but worked hard to close down the Palace defence. (6/10)
Substitutes
Carlos Sanchez: Was brought on for Cole and slotted well into the midfield. (6/10)
Kieran Richardson: Only had a minute on the pitch and didn't see any of the ball. (5/10)
Alex Meyers
