Crystal Palace 'best player' vs Aston Villa revealed - and it's not Eberechi Eze or Ismaila Sarr

Evening Standard

·26 avril 2025

Crystal Palace 'best player' vs Aston Villa revealed - and it's not Eberechi Eze or Ismaila Sarr

Crystal Palace will contest this season’s FA Cup final after beating Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday afternoon

Wayne Rooney says one Crystal Palace player was ‘outstanding’ against Aston Villa

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Wayne Rooney has singled out Adam Wharton for special praise following Crystal Palace’s win over Aston Villa.

Palace produced a brilliant team performance to beat Villa and reach the FA Cup final in the process.

Eberechi Eze broke the deadlock on the half hour mark with brilliant strike before Ismaila Sarr netted twice in the second half to ensure Oliver Glasner’s side will be back at Wembley next month to face either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City.

Such was Palace’s dominance that they were able to afford a missed penalty by top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta.

However, whilst the Eagles’ attacking trio will naturally grab all the headlines, Rooney has heaped praise on Wharton.

He said: “Attacking players get a lot of the credit, but Adam Wharton was outstanding. His commitment and winning the ball back - I thought he was the best player on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Palace captain Marc Guehi paid tribute to Dean Henderson after the goalkeeper made some crucial saves, particularly at 1-0, to help the side book a place in the FA Cup final.

“He is so vocal and in those big moments he helps us like today,” Guehi said on BBC Sport. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and it is important that we stay focused.

“At least we get to relax and enjoy the other semi-final and see who we will play.

"From the beginning of the season, every game we go to home and away it is the same noise. Thank you to the fans."