Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0 - match report and pictures

The winger struck late in the second half to condemn Villa to their fourth straight defeat after another insipid display.

Andi Weimann was denied by Julian Speroni late on but the visitors failed to trouble Palace for most of the game.

Referee Howard Webb also correctly reversed a second-half penalty decision after initially ruling Nathan Baker had handled in the area.

Fulham's victory over Norwich means Villa are just four points above the relegation zone with five games to play.

Gabby Agbonlahor, Karim El Ahmadi and Fabian Delph all returned after missing the Fulham defeat – as did the recalled Ciaran Clark.

Leandro Bacuna, Marc Albrighton, Joe Bennett and Andi Weimann were dropped as Paul Lambert rang the changes.

Cameron Jerome cleared Clark's goalbound header after 20 minutes of an uninspiring game with both sides content to hit each other on the break.

Palace lost Kagisho Dikgacoi to injury early on and Marouane Chamakh replaced him as Palace began to stir.

And on 36 minutes they should have taken the lead after a wonderful free kick move involving Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley saw Bolasie clean through but the winger badly scuffed his shot.

The hosts wanted a penalty to save their blushes but Bolasie had just slipped under pressure from Grant Holt.

Chamakh then headed wide as Palace started to take a degree of control as the game meandered towards the break.

Villa emerged the brighter but Jerome should have given the hosts the lead on 53 minutes.

Bolasie wriggled free on the left and when Guzan parried his deflected shot Jerome turned the ball onto the bar from four yards.

Bolasie then hit the woodwork six minutes later when his low drive clipped the outside of the post.

Villa failed to threaten Palace with Speroni merely an interested observer and they escaped on 67 minutes when referee Webb awarded a penalty – and then reversed his decision.

The official pointed to the spot – thinking Nathan Baker had handled Bolasie's cross – but after consulting with his assistant changed his mind.

It was the correct call from Webb but left Palace boss Tony Pulis furious.

It failed to deter the hosts though and they continued to press – eventually getting the goal they deserved with 14 minutes left.

Again Bolasie caused problems on the left and his cross found Puncheon who was allowed to turn and shoot with his effort creeping in off the post.

Puncheon was denied by the post soon after but Palace were indebted to Speroni for securing the points with three minutes left.