Bailey hits fourth of season in Villa romp

LONDON, (CMC):

REGGAE BOY Leon Bailey scored his second Premier League goal in four outings and his fourth in the last five games overall, as Aston Villa came from behind to thrash Crystal Palace 3-1 and continue their excellent start to the season yesterday.

The 26-year-old winger, who featured over the last week in Nations League qualifying for Jamaica, struck deep into stoppage at the end as Villa scored three times in the last 20 minutes of the contest, which included an astonishing 17 minutes of added time.

For Villa, the win moved them into seventh in the standings on nine points while Palace lie eighth on seven points.

“We were playing more with our hearts than with our minds in the last 20 minutes, and sometimes you need that,” said Villa boss Unai Emery.

“At the end, we deserved to win. We scored three goals, so I’m very happy because, after their goal, it was a difficult moment and we really reacted very well.”

Following a goalless first half, Odsonne Edouard put the visitors ahead at Villa Park when he capitalised on a slip from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to score from close range, after being set up by Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Palace appeared to be on course for an edgy victory with time ticking away when substitute Jhon Duran levelled the game with a thunderous volley in the 87th minute, before Douglas Luiz put the hosts ahead from the spot after eight minutes of stoppage time.

Bailey then signed off on the points, Moussa Diaby skipping down the left and finding him unmarked in the box, to easily tap in from eight yards.

EPL Results

Newcastle 1-0 Brentford

Fulham 1-0 Luton

Tottenham 2-1 Sheffield

Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

West Ham 1-3 Man City

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace

Wolves 1-3 Liverpool