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Crystal palace
      Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

      Palace 5 Villa 0

      Palace5
      Mateta9' 39' 63'
      Eze54' 69'
      Villa0
      Sun 19 May 15:00(KO listed in users′ timezone)

      Premier LeagueSelhurst Park

      Full-Time
      Back to top
      Premier League
      pos
      club
      pl
      w
      d
      l
      gf
      ga
      gd
      pts
      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
      3
      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
      10
      4
      86
      41
      +45
      82
      4
      AVLAston Villa
      38
      20
      8
      10
      76
      61
      +15
      68
      5
      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
      20
      6
      12
      74
      61
      +13
      66
      6
      CHEChelsea
      38
      18
      9
      11
      77
      63
      +14
      63
      7
      NEWNewcastle United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      85
      62
      +23
      60
      8
      MUNManchester United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
      13
      8
      17
      55
      61
      -6
      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
      13
      7
      18
      50
      65
      -15
      46
      15
      EVEEverton
      38
      13
      9
      16
      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
      8
      24
      52
      85
      -33
      26
      19
      BURBurnley
      38
      5
      9
      24
      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      SUMMARY

      • Glorious sunshine greets Palace’s bid for top-half finish in SE25
      • One change for Palace as Guéhi replaces Hughes in midfield
      • Olise slips in Mateta to give Eagles an early lead with seventh successive home goal
      • Henderson makes two fine stops from Diaby in quick succession
      • Guehi keeps out Watkins’ bouncing header on the line
      • Eze then tests Olsen’s handling in the Villa goal
      • Muñoz curls in cross for Mateta to scoop home second
      • Goal sees Palace set new record for top-flight league goals in a season (54)
      • Olise twice denied by Olsen on the stroke of half-time
      • HT: Palace 2-0 Aston Villa
      • Eze rockets in a third shortly after the restart
      • Olise places effort narrowly wide from Muñoz pull-back
      • Henderson and Eze then combine to set up Mateta’s hat-trick goal
      • First Palace league hat-trick since April 2015
      • Richards plays Mateta through moments later, but goal chalked out by VAR
      • Eze interchanges with Mateta and smashes in a fifth on 70 minutes
      • Eze places wide late on, and is denied by Olsen, as he seeks his own hat-trick
      • Tomkins and Riedewald come off the bench late on for final Palace appearances
      • FT: Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
      • Palace's joint-biggest Premier League win, plus combination of final-day results, sees the Eagles secure top-ten Premier League finish with joint-highest points tally (49)

      With Aston Villa having secured fourth place earlier in the week, Palace still had plenty to play for heading into the final game of the season.

      The Eagles had won five of their last six matches, defeating European contenders home and away in Liverpool, West Ham, Newcastle and Manchester United, and scoring 16 goals in that time to record their highest-scoring Premier League campaign ever. Two more against Villa would make it their highest-scoring top-flight league campaign ever (with 54).

      What’s more, if Palace emerged victorious and two other results went their way, they could end the season with a top-ten finish and a joint club-record Premier League points tally (a potential 49).

      True to recent form, the Eagles – welcomed to the pitch by a fantastic final-day display of flags, balloons and TIFOs from the Holmesdale, and a wall of noise consuming Selhurst Park – were at their opponents from the start.

      The only change to their starting XI saw the fully-recovered Marc Guéhi make his first start since the first weekend of February, replacing the injured Will Hughes.

      The England man was duly involved in the build-up to Palace’s opener after nine minutes, winning the ball high and combining with Michael Olise, who slid in Mateta. The forward stroked the ball across goal on his left foot, and duly found the bottom corner to set the party in full swing.

      The effort was Mateta’s seventh home goal in a row – but he wasn’t about to stop there.

      Admittedly, the goal then paved way for a flurry of Villa chances in quick succession; Dean Henderson, who had an excellent game, did superbly to keep out a Moussa Diaby with a low save – the Villa man clean through – and then reacted sharply to a volley from the same player which had skidded up off the turf.

      Moments later, Villa top goalscorer Ollie Watkins went close with a header from a corner which bounced up and threatened to find the top corner, but Guéhi adjusted brilliantly to nod the effort over his own crossbar.

      The next quarter of the game was quieter on the pitch, if not in the stands, as Selhurst Park basked in the early-summer sunshine and gave the players a full rendition of the Eagles’ signature songbook.

      With half-time approaching excellent defending from Joachim Andersen on the stretch prevented Watkins from taking a shot six yards out, but then – the seemingly inevitable at Selhurst Park: a Jean-Philippe Mateta goal.

      It was from more zippy play that it arrived, Adam Wharton with the line-breaking pass to Olise, who then played an incisive one out to Daniel Muñoz. The Colombian's low cross was pin-point, allowing Mateta to shovel the ball past Robin Olsen from close range.

      That goal saw the Eagles hit a landmark 54th in a top-flight season – their highest-ever total in such a league campaign – and they could have had two more by half-time, but for a fine pair of low stops from Olsen via the left boot of Michael Olise. The Eagles were cutting through Villa time and time again.

      Two goals to the good at half-time and Selhurst singing “three points again, olé, olé!” – and it was only going to get better in the second half.

      It started with a bang – typically so, from Eze. A Chris Richards pass on the halfway line took a kind deflection into the path of the No. 10, and as he advanced towards the box, Villa defenders backed off... duly allowing him to slam the ball into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.

      Chances arrived in a flurry – Nathaniel Clyne made a brilliant solo run forwards, pulling back to Muñoz who crossed low. Olise placed a side-footed effort narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

      On 63 minutes: another milestone moment – a first Palace league hat-trick since Yannick Bolasie’s against Sunderland in April 2015. Henderson deserved a lot of credit for the goal, plucking a hanging cross out the air and bowling it forwards for Eze, who slid in Mateta. The forward took a touch and placed a finish across Olsen before taking n the acclaim of Selhurst Park.

      It could have been four just seconds later as Richards played the ball in for Mateta to finish one-on-one again – but this time, VAR ruled it out for offside.

      A minute later, an indisputable fifth. Andersen won the header on the halfway line and, Guehi played it to Eze, who exchangesd passes with Mateta - via a cute backheel - and then, from just inside the 'D', blasted it into bottom corner. Champagne football.

      There were to be more opportunities – Eze coming close to grabbing a hat-trick himself, pulling one effort across goal and seeing another rising drive beaten away by Olsen. But they would have to settle for five.

      The party continued three minutes from time when James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald came off the bench for their last appearances in red and blue, at the end of eight and seven years’ service respectively – Selhurst Park, of course, rose to its feet in acclaim.

      There was to be one final tonic: the news that Brighton had lost at home to Manchester United, and Bournemouth had lost away to Chelsea.

      Crystal Palace’s sixth win in their last seven, unbeaten matches had seen them secure a top-ten Premier League finish in spectacular style.

      A special group producing another special day – what a day to be a Crystal Palace fan.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Andersen (Tomkins, 88), Guéhi (Lerma, 76), Richards, Muñoz, Mitchell, Wharton (Riedewald, 88), Olise, Eze (Ayew, 88), Mateta (Edouard, 76).

      Subs: Matthews (GK), Ward, Ozoh, Schlupp.

      Aston Villa: Olsen (GK), Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Digne, Chambers (Iroegbunam, 68), Douglas Luiz, Dhuran, Diaby (Kesley-Hayden, 87), McGinn (Munroe, 87), Watkins (Kellyman, 68).

      Subs: Gauci, Pau, Emery Fernandez, Young

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 5, Aston Villa 0.
      90'+4'

      free kick won

      Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+3'

      free kick won

      Odsonne Édouard (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+2'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      90'+2'

      Yellow Card

      Lenglet(17)
      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+2'

      start delay

      Delay in match (Crystal Palace).
      88'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      Jordan Ayew
      Jordan
      Ayew(9)
      on
      88'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Joachim Andersen
      Joachim
      Andersen(16)
      off
      James
      Tomkins(5)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Adam Wharton
      Adam
      Wharton(20)
      off
      Jairo
      Riedewald(44)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Moussa
      Diaby(19)
      off
      Kaine
      Hayden(29)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      John
      McGinn(7)
      off
      Finley
      Munroe(69)
      on
      84'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Robin Olsen.
      84'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Chris Richards.
      82'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell with a cross.
      80'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      78'

      offside

      Offside, Aston Villa. Jhon Durán is caught offside.
      77'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Daniel Muñoz is caught offside.
      77'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
      76'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Marc Guéhi
      Marc
      Guéhi(6)
      off
      Jefferson Lerma
      Jefferson
      Lerma(8)
      on
      76'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Odsonne Édouard
      Odsonne
      Édouard(22)
      on
      75'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      73'

      Yellow Card

      Douglas Luiz(6)
      Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      73'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      69'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 5, Aston Villa 0. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      68'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Ollie
      Watkins(11)
      off
      Omari
      Kellyman(71)
      on
      68'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Calum
      Chambers(16)
      off
      Tim
      Iroegbunam(47)
      on
      66'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta is caught offside.
      63'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 4, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Eberechi Eze following a fast break.
      62'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Lucas Digne.
      59'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      58'

      Yellow Card

      Digne(12)
      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      58'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      57'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      56'

      free kick won

      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      55'

      free kick won

      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      54'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Aston Villa 0. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
      52'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      50'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jhon Durán (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Lucas Digne.

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Aston Villa 0.
      45'+4'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      45'+3'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      45'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
      39'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      37'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      34'

      free kick won

      Calum Chambers (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      30'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Lucas Digne with a cross following a corner.
      29'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Tyrick Mitchell.
      26'

      free kick won

      John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      26'

      free kick won

      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      24'

      Yellow Card

      Andersen(16)
      Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      23'

      free kick won

      Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      19'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jhon Durán (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
      18'

      Yellow Card

      McGinn(7)
      John McGinn (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      18'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      17'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Marc Guéhi.
      17'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Digne with a cross following a corner.
      17'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Dean Henderson.
      17'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jhon Durán.
      16'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Nathaniel Clyne.
      16'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a through ball.
      14'

      free kick won

      John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      13'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze is caught offside.
      9'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Michael Olise with a through ball.
      6'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
      6'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a cross following a set piece situation.
      5'

      free kick won

      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      2'

      free kick won

      Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      1'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

      Starting lineup

      25
      Robin Olsen
      GK
      3
      Diego Carlos
      DF
      4
      Ezri Konsa Ngoyo
      DF
      12
      Lucas Digne
      DF
      58'
      17
      Clément Lenglet
      DF
      90'+2'
      6
      Douglas Luiz
      MF
      73'
      16
      Calum Chambers
      MF
      substitution icon68'
      19
      Moussa Diaby
      MF
      substitution icon87'
      7
      John McGinn
      MF
      18'
      substitution icon87'
      24
      Jhon Durán
      S
      11
      Ollie Watkins
      S
      substitution icon68'

      Substitutes

      14
      Pau Torres
      18
      Joe Gauci
      29
      Kaine Hayden
      substitution icon87'
      47
      Tim Iroegbunam
      substitution icon68'
      55
      Lander Emery
      69
      Finley Munroe
      substitution icon87'
      71
      Omari Kellyman
      substitution icon68'
      72
      Kadan Young
      SHU
      0-3
      TOT
      MCI
      3-1
      WHU
      LUT
      2-4
      FUL
      LIV
      2-0
      WOL
      CHE
      2-1
      BOU
      BUR
      1-2
      FOR
      BHA
      0-2
      MUN
      BRE
      2-4
      NEW
      ARS
      2-1
      EVE
      Back to top

      Starting lineup

      25
      Robin Olsen
      GK
      3
      Diego Carlos
      DF
      4
      Ezri Konsa Ngoyo
      DF
      12
      Lucas Digne
      DF
      58'
      17
      Clément Lenglet
      DF
      90'+2'
      6
      Douglas Luiz
      MF
      73'
      16
      Calum Chambers
      MF
      substitution icon68'
      19
      Moussa Diaby
      MF
      substitution icon87'
      7
      John McGinn
      MF
      18'
      substitution icon87'
      24
      Jhon Durán
      S
      11
      Ollie Watkins
      S
      substitution icon68'

      Substitutes

      14
      Pau Torres
      18
      Joe Gauci
      29
      Kaine Hayden
      substitution icon87'
      47
      Tim Iroegbunam
      substitution icon68'
      55
      Lander Emery
      69
      Finley Munroe
      substitution icon87'
      71
      Omari Kellyman
      substitution icon68'
      72
      Kadan Young
      SHU
      0-3
      TOT
      MCI
      3-1
      WHU
      LUT
      2-4
      FUL
      LIV
      2-0
      WOL
      CHE
      2-1
      BOU
      BUR
      1-2
      FOR
      BHA
      0-2
      MUN
      BRE
      2-4
      NEW
      ARS
      2-1
      EVE
      Premier League
      pos
      club
      pl
      w
      d
      l
      gf
      ga
      gd
      pts
      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
      3
      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
      10
      4
      86
      41
      +45
      82
      4
      AVLAston Villa
      38
      20
      8
      10
      76
      61
      +15
      68
      5
      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
      20
      6
      12
      74
      61
      +13
      66
      6
      CHEChelsea
      38
      18
      9
      11
      77
      63
      +14
      63
      7
      NEWNewcastle United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      85
      62
      +23
      60
      8
      MUNManchester United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
      13
      8
      17
      55
      61
      -6
      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
      13
      7
      18
      50
      65
      -15
      46
      15
      EVEEverton
      38
      13
      9
      16
      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
      8
      24
      52
      85
      -33
      26
      19
      BURBurnley
      38
      5
      9
      24
      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      SUMMARY

      • Glorious sunshine greets Palace’s bid for top-half finish in SE25
      • One change for Palace as Guéhi replaces Hughes in midfield
      • Olise slips in Mateta to give Eagles an early lead with seventh successive home goal
      • Henderson makes two fine stops from Diaby in quick succession
      • Guehi keeps out Watkins’ bouncing header on the line
      • Eze then tests Olsen’s handling in the Villa goal
      • Muñoz curls in cross for Mateta to scoop home second
      • Goal sees Palace set new record for top-flight league goals in a season (54)
      • Olise twice denied by Olsen on the stroke of half-time
      • HT: Palace 2-0 Aston Villa
      • Eze rockets in a third shortly after the restart
      • Olise places effort narrowly wide from Muñoz pull-back
      • Henderson and Eze then combine to set up Mateta’s hat-trick goal
      • First Palace league hat-trick since April 2015
      • Richards plays Mateta through moments later, but goal chalked out by VAR
      • Eze interchanges with Mateta and smashes in a fifth on 70 minutes
      • Eze places wide late on, and is denied by Olsen, as he seeks his own hat-trick
      • Tomkins and Riedewald come off the bench late on for final Palace appearances
      • FT: Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
      • Palace's joint-biggest Premier League win, plus combination of final-day results, sees the Eagles secure top-ten Premier League finish with joint-highest points tally (49)

      With Aston Villa having secured fourth place earlier in the week, Palace still had plenty to play for heading into the final game of the season.

      The Eagles had won five of their last six matches, defeating European contenders home and away in Liverpool, West Ham, Newcastle and Manchester United, and scoring 16 goals in that time to record their highest-scoring Premier League campaign ever. Two more against Villa would make it their highest-scoring top-flight league campaign ever (with 54).

      What’s more, if Palace emerged victorious and two other results went their way, they could end the season with a top-ten finish and a joint club-record Premier League points tally (a potential 49).

      True to recent form, the Eagles – welcomed to the pitch by a fantastic final-day display of flags, balloons and TIFOs from the Holmesdale, and a wall of noise consuming Selhurst Park – were at their opponents from the start.

      The only change to their starting XI saw the fully-recovered Marc Guéhi make his first start since the first weekend of February, replacing the injured Will Hughes.

      The England man was duly involved in the build-up to Palace’s opener after nine minutes, winning the ball high and combining with Michael Olise, who slid in Mateta. The forward stroked the ball across goal on his left foot, and duly found the bottom corner to set the party in full swing.

      The effort was Mateta’s seventh home goal in a row – but he wasn’t about to stop there.

      Admittedly, the goal then paved way for a flurry of Villa chances in quick succession; Dean Henderson, who had an excellent game, did superbly to keep out a Moussa Diaby with a low save – the Villa man clean through – and then reacted sharply to a volley from the same player which had skidded up off the turf.

      Moments later, Villa top goalscorer Ollie Watkins went close with a header from a corner which bounced up and threatened to find the top corner, but Guéhi adjusted brilliantly to nod the effort over his own crossbar.

      The next quarter of the game was quieter on the pitch, if not in the stands, as Selhurst Park basked in the early-summer sunshine and gave the players a full rendition of the Eagles’ signature songbook.

      With half-time approaching excellent defending from Joachim Andersen on the stretch prevented Watkins from taking a shot six yards out, but then – the seemingly inevitable at Selhurst Park: a Jean-Philippe Mateta goal.

      It was from more zippy play that it arrived, Adam Wharton with the line-breaking pass to Olise, who then played an incisive one out to Daniel Muñoz. The Colombian's low cross was pin-point, allowing Mateta to shovel the ball past Robin Olsen from close range.

      That goal saw the Eagles hit a landmark 54th in a top-flight season – their highest-ever total in such a league campaign – and they could have had two more by half-time, but for a fine pair of low stops from Olsen via the left boot of Michael Olise. The Eagles were cutting through Villa time and time again.

      Two goals to the good at half-time and Selhurst singing “three points again, olé, olé!” – and it was only going to get better in the second half.

      It started with a bang – typically so, from Eze. A Chris Richards pass on the halfway line took a kind deflection into the path of the No. 10, and as he advanced towards the box, Villa defenders backed off... duly allowing him to slam the ball into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.

      Chances arrived in a flurry – Nathaniel Clyne made a brilliant solo run forwards, pulling back to Muñoz who crossed low. Olise placed a side-footed effort narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

      On 63 minutes: another milestone moment – a first Palace league hat-trick since Yannick Bolasie’s against Sunderland in April 2015. Henderson deserved a lot of credit for the goal, plucking a hanging cross out the air and bowling it forwards for Eze, who slid in Mateta. The forward took a touch and placed a finish across Olsen before taking n the acclaim of Selhurst Park.

      It could have been four just seconds later as Richards played the ball in for Mateta to finish one-on-one again – but this time, VAR ruled it out for offside.

      A minute later, an indisputable fifth. Andersen won the header on the halfway line and, Guehi played it to Eze, who exchangesd passes with Mateta - via a cute backheel - and then, from just inside the 'D', blasted it into bottom corner. Champagne football.

      There were to be more opportunities – Eze coming close to grabbing a hat-trick himself, pulling one effort across goal and seeing another rising drive beaten away by Olsen. But they would have to settle for five.

      The party continued three minutes from time when James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald came off the bench for their last appearances in red and blue, at the end of eight and seven years’ service respectively – Selhurst Park, of course, rose to its feet in acclaim.

      There was to be one final tonic: the news that Brighton had lost at home to Manchester United, and Bournemouth had lost away to Chelsea.

      Crystal Palace’s sixth win in their last seven, unbeaten matches had seen them secure a top-ten Premier League finish in spectacular style.

      A special group producing another special day – what a day to be a Crystal Palace fan.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Andersen (Tomkins, 88), Guéhi (Lerma, 76), Richards, Muñoz, Mitchell, Wharton (Riedewald, 88), Olise, Eze (Ayew, 88), Mateta (Edouard, 76).

      Subs: Matthews (GK), Ward, Ozoh, Schlupp.

      Aston Villa: Olsen (GK), Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Digne, Chambers (Iroegbunam, 68), Douglas Luiz, Dhuran, Diaby (Kesley-Hayden, 87), McGinn (Munroe, 87), Watkins (Kellyman, 68).

      Subs: Gauci, Pau, Emery Fernandez, Young

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 5, Aston Villa 0.
      90'+4'

      free kick won

      Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+3'

      free kick won

      Odsonne Édouard (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      90'+2'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      90'+2'

      Yellow Card

      Lenglet(17)
      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
      90'+2'

      start delay

      Delay in match (Crystal Palace).
      88'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      Jordan Ayew
      Jordan
      Ayew(9)
      on
      88'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Joachim Andersen
      Joachim
      Andersen(16)
      off
      James
      Tomkins(5)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Adam Wharton
      Adam
      Wharton(20)
      off
      Jairo
      Riedewald(44)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Moussa
      Diaby(19)
      off
      Kaine
      Hayden(29)
      on
      87'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      John
      McGinn(7)
      off
      Finley
      Munroe(69)
      on
      84'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Robin Olsen.
      84'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Chris Richards.
      82'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell with a cross.
      80'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      78'

      offside

      Offside, Aston Villa. Jhon Durán is caught offside.
      77'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Daniel Muñoz is caught offside.
      77'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
      76'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Marc Guéhi
      Marc
      Guéhi(6)
      off
      Jefferson Lerma
      Jefferson
      Lerma(8)
      on
      76'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Odsonne Édouard
      Odsonne
      Édouard(22)
      on
      75'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      73'

      Yellow Card

      Douglas Luiz(6)
      Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      73'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      69'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 5, Aston Villa 0. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      68'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Ollie
      Watkins(11)
      off
      Omari
      Kellyman(71)
      on
      68'

      Substitution

      Aston Villa
      Calum
      Chambers(16)
      off
      Tim
      Iroegbunam(47)
      on
      66'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta is caught offside.
      63'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 4, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Eberechi Eze following a fast break.
      62'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Lucas Digne.
      59'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      58'

      Yellow Card

      Digne(12)
      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      58'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      57'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      56'

      free kick won

      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      55'

      free kick won

      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      54'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Aston Villa 0. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
      52'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      50'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jhon Durán (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Lucas Digne.

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Aston Villa 0.
      45'+4'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      45'+3'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      45'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
      39'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Daniel Muñoz.
      37'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      34'

      free kick won

      Calum Chambers (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      30'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Lucas Digne with a cross following a corner.
      29'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Tyrick Mitchell.
      26'

      free kick won

      John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      26'

      free kick won

      Clément Lenglet (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      24'

      Yellow Card

      Andersen(16)
      Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      23'

      free kick won

      Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      19'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jhon Durán (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
      18'

      Yellow Card

      McGinn(7)
      John McGinn (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      18'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      17'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Marc Guéhi.
      17'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Digne with a cross following a corner.
      17'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Dean Henderson.
      17'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jhon Durán.
      16'

      corner

      Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Nathaniel Clyne.
      16'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a through ball.
      14'

      free kick won

      John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      13'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze is caught offside.
      9'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Aston Villa 0. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Michael Olise with a through ball.
      6'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
      6'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Douglas Luiz with a cross following a set piece situation.
      5'

      free kick won

      Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      2'

      free kick won

      Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      1'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.