Aston Villa Demolished 5-0 by Crystal Palace
Hat-trick for Mateta, Double for Eze
Villa's European Hopes Dented
Aston Villa's hopes of securing a European place were dealt a major blow on Sunday as they suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Jean-Philippe Mateta netted a hat-trick, while Eberechi Eze scored twice for the Eagles.
Villa, who had won their previous two matches, were outplayed from start to finish by a rampant Palace side. The hosts took the lead after just nine minutes when Mateta headed home from close range. Eze made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark with a superb individual effort.
Mateta completed his hat-trick early in the second half, and Eze added his second shortly after. Villa were unable to muster any sort of response, and the visitors eventually cruised to a comfortable victory.
The defeat leaves Villa in 14th place in the Premier League table, three points behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who occupy the final European place. With just five games remaining, Villa's hopes of qualifying for Europe now look slim.
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