Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace

Premier League • England

Patrick Vieira fuming after Crystal Palace loss, as update given on two important stars

Patrick Vieira Palace

Patrick Vieira gave an update on the fitness of two important Crystal Palace stars, after admitting he was ‘disappointed’ by the defeat to Aston Villa.

The Eagles were looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games at Selhurst Park. But goals from Matt Targett and John McGinn helped Steven Gerrard’s men to run out 2-1 winners.

Targett converted from an Ashley Young corner in the 15th minute, before McGinn doubled Villa’s lead late in the second half.

Marc Guehi struck for Palace in stoppage time to give Vieira hope of a point. But an equaliser could not be found, leaving the south London outfit on 16 points from 13 matches.

Vieira revealed his frustration after the defeat. He said (via football.london): “I’m really disappointed with the result. More disappointed by the performance. Today we didn’t play well enough.

“We didn’t move the ball quick enough, we didn’t defend well as a team and the consequence is not getting anything from the game.”

On Palace’s lack of attacking threat, he added: “Frustrating. They were really compact and it was difficult to find players between the lines.

“We tried to go wider. When we tried to find Tyrick Mitchell we didn’t have runners behind the back four to stretch them.”

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Summer signing Joachim Andersen has featured in all of Palace’s Premier League games this season but was absent against Villa.

When asked about the centre-half, Vieira said: “Joachim has been playing all the games and he’s important to how we want to play. We have enough players to play better than we did today. Collectively we didn’t play well enough.

“No, we don’t know yet [if it’s a serious injury]. He will do more exams tomorrow then we will find out maybe on Monday morning.”

Good to see Palace man return, says Vieira

Attacking midfielder Ebere Eze made his first appearance of the campaign, after returning from an achilles injury.

“It’s good to have him on the pitch,” Vieira continued. “At the same time we know that he has a long way to go, but he is making a step forward and for him to get involved is good.”

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