Aston Villa dealt defensive injury blow during Crystal Palace clash

Aston Villa have, on Sunday afternoon, been dealt a concerning blow on the personnel front.

Steven Gerrard’s troops are of course currently locked in action.

In the club’s 3rd to last outing of the campaign, the Claret and Blue have welcomed Crystal Palace to Villa Park, eyeing a return to winning ways on the back of a 2-1 downing at the hands of Liverpool in midweek.

Early in the 2nd-half of action, though, any such hopes on the part of the afternoon’s hosts were dealt something of a blow.

This came in the form of an injury in the club’s backline, suffered by Ezri Konsa.

After going to ground with what appeared to be a knee problem, stopper Konsa could immediately be seen to be in a great degree of pain, leaving boss Gerrard with little choice but to haul him from the field of play.

Calum Chamers, in turn, was introduced in Konsa’s place, as the latter thankfully managed to make his way down the tunnel without the need for a stretcher.

Steven Gerrard is forced into his first change.

Back stronger, @EzriKonsa. 💪

🟣 0-0 🟡 [50′] #AVLCRY pic.twitter.com/wszvz4ul2H

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 15, 2022

Watkins opens the scoring

Turning attentions towards the scoreline itself at Villa Park, the hosts, a short time ago, managed to carve out what could well prove to be a decisive opener.

The goal in question was forthcoming 20 minutes from time, as Lucas Digne’s delivery was bundled into the net by the arriving Ollie Watkins.

The breakthrough! 🙌

Watkins bundles home Digne’s back-post cross to put us ahead! 🤩

🟣 1-0 🟡 [69′] #AVLCRY https://t.co/of2467Audw

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 15, 2022