Christian Benteke marked his return from suspension with the only goal of the game as Aston Villa ended a run of nine games without a win on a bitterly cold Tuesday night in South East London.

The crucial victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park was thanks to the Belgian, making his first start in three games following a straight red card in the home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur last month, who broke the deadlock in an otherwise poor first half with his first goal of the season in the 32nd minute, created out of sheer strength and persistence.

Pinching the ball from Scott Dann close to the touchline, he drove at the Eagles’ defence and then calmly stroked the ball past Julian Speroni and into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead slightly against the run of play.

Palace almost got back on level terms immediately as Wilfried Zaha stung the hands of Brad Guzan. Then minutes later the US keeper denied Yannick Bolasie from point-blank range as the home side looked for a response before half-time.

Marouane Chamakh headed wide from a Bolasie cross early in the second half, while Benteke was inches away from connecting with an Ashley Westwood free-kick which would have doubled the lead for Villa.

Andi Weimann then wasted a great chance to put the away side out of sight, picking up a Gabby Agbonlahor pass inside the box but could only shoot straight at Speroni.

Palace struggled to create many clear-cut chances throughout, failing to force Guzan in to a single save after the break although Zaha’s dangerous ball across the face of goal could have brought an equaliser had it not evaded everybody in the area.

The visitors were able to see out the rest of the game with relative ease to secure their third away win of the season and a vital three points against a fellow relegation rival.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was full of praise for his team and in particular the match winner after two tough back-to-back away games.

“I’ve been fortunate in my own football career to play with some of the best players in the world striking wise,” said Lambert. “If he (Benteke) keeps progressing the way he his and keeps learning the game, hopefully he will hit their heights but he’s certainly a terrific footballer.

“(It was a) massive four points. We’re four games unbeaten, which is really a positive thing. Two young centre halves that haven’t played, Benteke just come back in to the team and scores a wonder goal and I thought Alan Hutton today was absolutely fantastic.”