The reaction round-up as Palace put on a show at Villa Park

First-team

1 Sept 2025

Our round-up of the reaction from Sunday's stunning 3-0 win over Aston Villa – as Crystal Palace completed the first month of the new season in fine style.

Tyrick Mitchell, speaking to Palace TV:

"It was a great performance. It's always great when you keep a clean sheet.

"Before you can go and win games, you have to defend well. That's the only way we can win games.

"Then obviously, we have JP [Mateta], we've got our attacking players, we've got Ismaïla [Sarr]... everyone who can contribute to goals.

"So our first aim as a back five is just to make sure they don't score."

Daichi Kamada, speaking to PLP:

"I think their [Villa's] style of play and our style is very, very well matched. We stuck to our plan very well today and we had to be patient at times – a lot of the time – but I think we worked hard.

"Every player did very well and that's why we won the game today.

"We don't look too far into the future. We now have to focus on the game against Sunderland after the international break and then we have a run of the midweek cup games, so we have to stay focused."

Quote Icons

I'm happy for JP. He's the best striker in the world, in my opinion!
—Ismaïla Sarr

Oliver Glasner, speaking to Palace TV:

"What I like [about Marc Guéhi's goal] is that we were 1-0 up, but we play forward, and then all of a sudden the centre-back is at the edge of their box, and we're not just waiting and defending, we're also going forward.

"Will Hughes was then responsible for the rest defence, so this is what I like to see. We won the second ball back and it was an excellent finish."

Ismaïla Sarr, speaking to Sky Sports:

"I'm happy for the team. I'm happy for JP. He's the best striker in the world, in my opinion!

"I'm very happy for today, I work hard every time, every day and we need to keep this going into the next game."

Joel Ward, on punditry duties for Sky Sports:

"I think it was an outstanding effort. It was a very assured performance, coming off the back of a lot of games.

"They deserved the win, Palace soaked up the pressure. They are always going to create chances. And that strike [Guéhi's goal] was incredible."

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, speaking on Sky Sports:

"I've just been really impressed since Oliver Glasner's come in. I think just his organisation and the way he sets teams up.

"I know that he's got the upper hand over Aston Villa, but I just think, the way they defend and the way they turn over the ball quickly.

"They know their strengths and they work to their strengths. From back to front they're a very good team."

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