Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham

Fulham succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime. 

Youri Tielemans opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute and it proved to be the match winner despite an improved second half showing from the Whites. 

Marco Silva made two changes from the side that picked up the three points in dramatic fashion last week at St.Mary’s Stadium. Antonee Robinson returned to the starting XI along with Saša Lukić in place of Andreas Pereira & Willian.

After a blisteringly hot few days across the country a cool breeze allowed some reprive as the referee got the match under way. 

Aston Villa started the match on the front foot and in the 12th minute took the lead from a set-piece. After a promising attack broke down for Fulham, the hosts marched up the other end and won the corner. A beautiful in-swinging delivery was met by a thunderous Tielemans header at the front post and the deadlock was broken.  

Fulham struggled to get a foothold in the match and following the goal, Villa, were contented to invite pressure and look to catch us on the break. 

The match pressed on in drab fashion, lacking any cutting edge. Fulham were unable to maintain possession in the opposition half and aside from a speculative long-distance effort from Raúl Jiménez, we struggled to carve out any chances of real merit.

As the referee brought the first half to close, there was plenty of work for Fulham to do in order to leverage a foothold back in the encounter. 

Fulham started the second half in bright fashion and Lukić saw an effort blocked well in the Villa box in the opening five minutes before Ryan Sessegnon had a goal disallowed for handball in the build-up on the 50th minute. Promising signs from Fulham. 

In the 57th minute Marco Silva made his first change. Sessegnon, who had been productive down the right flank was replaced by Emile Smith Rowe. With the change Harry Wilson shifted to the flank and the goal scorer from last week shifted to the central role occupied by the Welshman. 

In the 61st minute Bernd Leno had to be alert to deny Ollie Watkins after a scything counter saw the in-form striker through on goal. After beating the offside trap the English striker unleashed a low drive which Leno did well to block clear with his outstretched right boot. 

Three minutes later, a superb overlapping run from Calvin Bassey saw the imposing centre back free on the left flank. A delicate cross was greeted by Wilson unmarked in the box, but his header lacked power and was claimed easily. A big chance for Fulham to level. 

Marco continued to ring the changes and despite plenty of endeavour we were unable to carve out any goal scoring opportunities. 

With eight minutes of additional time, it was Villa who almost doubled their lead when Donyell Malen rattled the crossbar. It proved to be the last action of merit in the clash. Fulham will look to bounce back when they host Everton next weekend.