ROY HODGSON is “feeling better” after being taken ill ahead of Crystal Palace’s clash at Aston Villa.
The Eagles boss, 76, was forced to miss the trip to Villa Park.
Instead, his assistants Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington took charge in the dugout as the team succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
And McCarthy confirmed Hodgson is making progress as he issued an update for concerned supporters following the loss.
The Irishman said: “Roy is feeling better and we are hopeful he will continue to feel better and be back with us sooner rather than later.
“We had contact with him before the game and we will speak to him now after the game as well.
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“All the preparation was done with Roy.
“After breakfast and before the pre-match meal he felt a bit unwell, and that’s when we found out. We continued to prepare.”
It is unclear if Hodgson was able to watch the Premier League drama unfold.
The former England boss would have been delighted to see Odsonne Edouard give the South London club the lead just two minutes into the second half.
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However, despite leading on 87 minutes, it all unravelled for Palace in the closing minutes.
Jhon Duran scored a belting equaliser for Villa, blasting home emphatically.
Villa were then awarded a controversial penalty as referee Darren England was sent to the pitchside monitor but stuck with his original decision despite Chris Richards appearing to win the ball when tackling Ollie Watkins.
Douglas Luiz stuck the spot-kick away in the 98th minute and Leon Bailey added a third to wrap up the victory for Unai Emery’s men in the 101st minute.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
