Christian Benteke scored his first Premier League goal since March to give Aston Villa a 1-0 lead over Crystal Palace at half time at Selhurst Park this evening.
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The home side tried to apply some pressure from the start as Wilfried Zaha ran at the Villa defence, with the midfielder appealing for a penalty after taking a tumble in the box, but the spot kick was not awarded.
Mile Jedinak tried to head in an opening goal for Palace with just over 20 minutes played, but the Australian international's finish lacked power to leave Brad Guzan with a comfortable save.
The visitors started to see more of the ball as the half-hour mark approached, and they managed to break the deadlock when Benteke stole the ball in midfield before running to the edge of the box and driving it in low.
Yannick Bolasie could have scored an equaliser a couple of minutes later, but the Villa keeper got down low to deny Palace.
Sian Cowper
