Aston Villa showcased their impressive form with a commanding 3-1 victory against Fulham, highlighted by Ollie Watkins scoring his fifth Premier League goal of the season. This win marks Villa’s best start after eight matches since the 1998-99 season, placing them firmly in the upper echelon of the league standings.
The match began with Fulham taking an early lead. A long goal-kick from Bernd Leno found Raul Jimenez, who outpaced defender Pau Torres to slot a precise left-footed shot into the corner of the net. This opening goal initially energized Fulham, but Villa quickly found their footing.
Just four minutes later, Villa leveled the score. Morgan Rogers unleashed a powerful 20-yard shot that took a significant deflection off Calvin Bassey, wrong-footing Leno and finding the back of the net. This quick response shifted the momentum in Villa’s favor.
The game took another turn when Fulham was awarded a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark. Matty Cash was deemed to have blocked a Jimenez header, leading to Andreas Pereira stepping up to take the penalty. However, his weak attempt was saved by Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, denying Fulham a chance to regain the lead and providing Villa with the boost they needed.
As the second half progressed, Villa seized control of the match. On the hour mark, Watkins showcased his poaching instincts by powering a header into the net from a corner taken by Youri Tielemans. This goal underscored Watkins’ importance to the team and further energized Villa’s attack.
Fulham’s situation worsened when defender Joachim Andersen was shown a red card for pulling down Watkins, leaving Fulham a man down. To add to their woes, Issa Diop inadvertently deflected a low cross from Lucas Digne into his own net, effectively sealing Fulham’s fate and extending Villa’s lead.
Ollie Watkins Leads Aston Villa to Victory Over Fulham
While Villa celebrated their victory, they experienced a moment of concern when substitute Jaden Philogene received a second yellow card for a foul on Reiss Nelson in injury time. Despite this setback, Villa’s triumph lifted them to fourth place in the Premier League, while Fulham remained in ninth.
Pereira’s missed penalty was particularly noteworthy. Characterized by a hesitant run-up and a lackluster finish, it was a stark contrast to his usual precision, as he had previously made more passes in the penalty area than any other Premier League player. Martinez’s expert preparation paid off; he anticipated Pereira’s shot, making a crucial save that shifted the momentum in Villa’s favor.
Celebrating the save, Martinez embraced the moment, gesturing to the Fulham crowd and proudly displaying the Villa badge on his shirt. His lively demeanor further galvanized the support from the stands.
With this victory, Villa extended their unbeaten streak in away league matches to four for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The return of key players from injury adds to their growing confidence, making them a formidable opponent as the season progresses.
Jimenez, on the other hand, continues to find his scoring form, now with ten goals in his last 12 Premier League starts, including seven at Craven Cottage. After a long recovery from a fractured skull suffered while at Wolves in 2020, Jimenez’s resurgence raises questions about penalty-taking responsibilities, especially after he previously took a penalty from Pereira during a match against Nottingham Forest.
Following Pereira’s miss in this pivotal game, Fulham manager Marco Silva may need to reconsider who handles penalties going forward. The stakes are high in the Premier League, and both teams will have lessons to take into their upcoming fixtures.
Aston Villa’s thrilling victory over Fulham not only highlights their strong start to the season but also sets the stage for an exciting competition in the Premier League. With a solid squad and emerging talent, Villa fans have much to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
source – BBC
