It was an absolutely sweltering day at a sun-soaked Selhurst Park last Saturday.
In hindsight, choosing my seat in the second row of the Arthur Wait was not the best idea but the result certainly made up for that.
I think Palace struggled with the heat in the first half, we were just not our usual selves but a lot of credit has to go to Villa. Their system caused us quite a few problems and if Gabby Agbonlahor had taken two of his chances it could have been quite a different afternoon.
Overall it was a pleasing display. The second half was remarkably better with the introduction of Dwight Gayle and Jordan Mutch who gave us something different. They are two players who could still have a big impact on the team in my opinion.
Whatever Alan Pardew says about Gayle and not promising him game time, in my view, he still has a future at Selhurst Park but only if he is played in his correct position. I will come onto that later.
Firstly I want to start with Aston Villa. I mentioned last week that I feel they will be an unknown quantity this year with all the fresh faces and they proved that to be true. Although Jordan Amavi was at fault for our winner he looks like a terrific full back while Gana in midfield looked strong and composed on the ball. One player that stood out for me was Jack Grealish.
The 19 year old Englishman is going to be a future star. In the first half we could not get near him. He was running the show for the Villans. For such a slight lad, his ball retention in tight spaces is impeccable and he nearly scored if it was not for Alex McCarthy tipping over his effort in front of the Holmesdale end. Despite his off the field antics over the summer you can see why Tim Sherwood has so much faith in him. Mark my words, he will be a top player for both club and country in years to come.
The player who arrived on a free transfer from Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bakary Sako endeared himself to the Palace faithful last weekend by scoring his first goal and producing an impressive debut. As you are all well aware, over the years we have become synonymous with terrific wingers. The current crop include Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha and we can add Sako to the list.
He is ready made for the Premier League and it makes me wonder why he did not make the jump earlier. I was talking to some Villa fans on the journey home and they were saying Villa had to the opportunity to sign the Mali international but refused. It is quite ironic how he has come back to bite them.
Apart from the goal, his general play was very encouraging. He looks comfortable on the ball, strong and more importantly has an eye for a goal. That sometimes cannot be said for our other wingers. He will certainly bring added competition to our wide midfield men and if he can continue scoring he will be much loved at Selhurst.
Alluding to it earlier in the piece, but when Gayle came on at half time he certainly made an impact. It gave Villa’s centre halves something else to think about. Speculation about his future has rumbled on over the past few weeks, and again Pardew has come out and said that he cannot promise the former Peterborough striker game time.
I am of the opinion that he can still do a job for us and that he should get minutes. Out of all options we now have up front, given the chance I would bet Gayle would end up with more goals but only if he is playing in his correct position.
Last season he scored ten goals while on occasions being a peripheral figure. We signed Connor Wickham on the basis that he is going to play centre forward which is his preferred position. That was the sole reason he left Sunderland, because ultimately he was just wasting his potential at the Stadium of Light.
There is a real fear that we are going to have a similar problem with Gayle. If we do not sell him then we have to give him a prolonged run in the side. Otherwise he will become an after thought, and his potential will be wasted. Given the opportunity he could certainly reach at least fifteen goals a season, he is predatory in the box unlike Glenn Murray and Wickham.
I would like to hedge a bet on Murray or Wickham reaching fifteen goals, because personally I just do not see it happening. If Gayle could play up top most weeks I am confident he would see him score goals regularly. Unfortunately I am not Pardew and if the rumours are true linking us once again with Charlie Austin, then we will certainly see Gayle go which will be gutting.
After last weekend’s positive result, we now travel to the home of the Champions Chelsea. If there was ever a good time to play them it might be now given all the controversy of Eva Carniero coupled with their poor start to the season.
All that is left to say is come on you Eagles!
