Patrick Vieira outlines what he ‘loved’ about Wilfried Zaha’s performance for the 3-1 win against Aston Villa

Patrick Vieira said he ‘loved’ Wilfried Zaha’s performance during the 3-1 win against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa and praised the 29-year-old’s fighting mentality.

The Eagles picked up their first win of the 2022-23 Premier League season, with the Ivorian Zaha getting himself on the scoresheet twice at Selhurst Park.

Villa opened the scoring through Ollie Watkins in the 5th minute. However, Zaha quickly equalised when he showed his determination and clinical finishing to sweep a shot past Emiliano Martinez in the 7th minute.

Zaha doubled Palace’s lead in the 58th minute when he buried his chance at the second time of asking after Martinez saved his initial penalty.

Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta wrapped up all three points with just under 20 minutes left to play when he hammered Tyrick Mitchell’s whipped cross into the back of the net.

Zaha gave Villa right-back Matty Cash problems throughout the contest. The academy graduate was rewarded with a standing ovation in the 82nd minute for his performance as Luka Milivojevic replaced him.

Only Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, both on 15, have more goals than Zaha, 12, this calendar year.

“This is what he has to expect,” Vieira told BBC of Zaha being targeted by Villa during the match.

“The quality of his talent makes it really difficult for the opponent, and sometimes they will target him like they did today. 

“I want him to be more calm, but at times it’s really difficult. The referee was quite good today, and that allowed him to stay in the game and play as well as he did.

“I loved his performance. I don’t want him to change – he’s a fighter. 

“When it’s tough, he puts his sleeves up and is going into the fight. Today, he was really good, really good for the team – he worked well and defended well from the front. 

“That allowed us to win the ball high up the field and create those chances.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD