05’
45’
Anwar El Ghazi scored a stunning goal as 10-man Aston Villa earned a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace to rise to sixth.
Bertrand Traore gave Aston Villa a fifth-minute lead when he reacted quickest after Vicente Guaita had saved from Ollie Watkins.
Just before half-time, Tyrone Mings was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Wilfried Zaha.
Villa still managed to double their advantage on 66 minutes when Watkins headed against the crossbar and Kortney Hause bundled in.
Ten minutes later it was 3-0 as Watkins passed to El Ghazi who curled a first-time strike in off the post.
Watkins was then denied a deserved goal of his own when he hit the woodwork for a second time after a superb through-ball from Jack Grealish.
Villa are six points behind leaders Liverpool having played a match fewer.
Crystal Palace are 13th on 18 points after back-to-back defeats.
See: Aston Villa report | Crystal Palace report
Next fixtures
Aston Villa: 28 Dec v Chelsea (A)
Crystal Palace: 28 Dec v Leicester (H)
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: Adam Nunn, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Peter Bankes. VAR: Craig Pawson. Assistant VAR: Simon Long.
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