Aston Villa 0 Crystal Palace 1 - match report and pictures

The Crystal Palace substitute brilliantly curled in from 25-yards to hand the struggling visitors just their second away win in the Premier League this season.

Paul Lambert faced the wrath of Villa Park at the final whistle after another wretched performance where the hosts failed to perform.

They are now just three points above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's visit of Swansea.

Brad Guzan turned Barry Bannan's shot onto the post – denying him a dream return to Villa Park – and twice saved from Jason Puncheon.

Antonio Luna, Gabby Agbonlahor and Karim El Ahmadi started but did little to alter an instantly forgettable first half.

The hosts failed to launch a serious attack in the opening period as Palace frustrated and reasonably comfortable and the biggest cheer reserved for when Bannan was booked for kicking the ball away.

Ex-Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome impressed as the loan frontman but failed to produce an end product, especially when the visitors had the chance to break.

Libor Kozak headed over just before the break as Villa's half-time exit was met with muted jeers.

The atmosphere didn't immediately improve when the teams re-emerged either as Guzan saved from Puncheon.

Yannick Bolasie teed up the unmarked winger on the edge of the box after beating Luna but he made a mess of his first touch and then failed to get enough power behind his effort.

Damien Delaney headed well over soon after and Weimann then shot at Julian Speroni as the game finally game to life.

And Villa were indebted to Guzan when Palace broke following Weimann's missed chance only for the keeper to turn Bannan's shot onto the post.

It was a major let-off for Villa but one they did not heed and Guzan had to be alert to save from Puncheon again after Bolasie's cross skidded across goal just before the hour.

Palace were the better side and Joel Ward's looping effort landed on the roof of the net but Villa came close when Speroni tipped Bowery's header over in the final minute of normal time.

But Palace won it in stoppage time when Gayle was released down the left, cut inside the failing Delph, and curled a wonderful strike past Guzan.