Crystal Palace assistant manager Paddy McCarthy was happy with the players after defeat at Aston Villa.

Palace had the lead through Odsonne Edouard before Jhon Duran struck an equaliser on 87 minutes. Douglas Luiz converted a penalty in injury-time won by Ollie Watkins ahead of Leon Bailey wrapping up the points.

McCarthy said: "I felt, in the first-half performance, there were lots of good bits in that. We didn't create as much as we did in the second-half, but we nullified Aston Villa's attacking threat for the majority of the half and frustrated them and looked lively going the other way.

“In the second-half we adjusted a few bits. The players went out and executed the plan well, so to concede a goal in the 87th minute and concede a second goal in controversial circumstances later on was disappointing. We can't be too down because there were lots of positives to take from the performance."

On the penalty decision, McCarthy said: “If it takes five minutes to make a decision, that tells you everything you need to know."

McCarthy continued: “I can't be anything but [proud]. They're a fantastic group of lads, with bags of enthusiasm and professionalism.

“The international break hasn't been kind to us with injuries and the situation this morning, but they're a professional group who carried out the task the manager would expect them to do, and I was delighted with the application, how they stuck to the game-plan and the chances they created; I'm just disappointed that we didn't come away with anything."