Fulham 1 Aston Villa 2
Marco Silva and Unai Emery went head-to-head at Craven Cottage, with Aston Villa seemingly falling away from their push for a top four spot this season. The Villains were mooted as being in a title race by pundits a few weeks ago but this was just a distant memory now.
The early stages of the game had very few chances from either side but a terrible throw in from the hosts gave Aston Villa a massive gift. Bailey worked the ball to Watkins, who turned and shot, sending his effort into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.
Fulham had been in no danger whatsoever but were the architects of their own downfall. Marco Silva comes across as a manager who does not find it easy to hide his anger, after seeing this, he must have been ready to explode like a volcano.
Aston Villa started to grow in confidence and as Bailey received the ball on the right, some nimble footwork saw him beat his man and work it onto his stronger foot. The Jamaican got his shot away, with Leno beaten, but the ball thundered off the top of the crossbar.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Robinson was having a nightmare first half against Bailey as he forced another corner. As the cross came in and was flicked on to the back post, Moreno headed home to double the visitors’ lead. Only VAR was to save Fulham as it was ruled out for offside.
Despite barely being in the game at all in the first half, the hosts managed to force a corner. As the ball was whipped in, Muniz had a completely free header but could not direct it towards goal. It was a big chance for The Cottagers to draw level.
Deep into added time, Fulham gave the ball away on the halfway line and Watkins broke clear. He slotted it into the path of Tielemans but as he looked to finish, the outstretched leg of Leno denied the visitors a second goal.
Aston Villa continued to look the better team in the second half and Tielemans returned the favour as he spotted the run of Watkins. The England striker made no mistakes as he drilled his shot past Leno to double the visitors’ lead.
Emery’s side then seemed to be in the giving mood as Robinson clipped in a cross that seemed to be nothing. As Martinez came to collect it, Muniz nipped in to get a flick to it before the Argentine keeper could get there, slotting it into the net to get Fulham back into the game.
If Aston Villa are hoping to be competing with Europe’s elite next season, they need to cut out schoolboy errors like this. They would get battered in the Champions League if they were to switch off in defence as they do at times.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Substitutes Wilson and Iwobi combined but the Nigerian’s shot was saved by the legs of the Aston Villa keeper. Muniz then slotted Traore in but his shot was blocked by the advancing Martinez to deny The Cottagers an equaliser.
Unai Emery’s side held on for the win, which took them back into fourth place. The Aston Villa manager will be pleased by the result but not some of his side’s defending in the second half. However, to not play at your best and still get three points is as important as anything.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.