Fulham imploded within the second half after Ollie Watkins scored on his four-hundredth senior look to assist Aston Villa transfer into the highest 4 with a 3-1 victory.
Watkins netted an exquisite header simply earlier than the hour mark to place Villa in entrance earlier than Fulham centre-back Joachim Andersen was despatched off and substitute Issa Diop became his personal web simply seconds after approaching – all inside 10 minutes.
Fulham’s afternoon had began completely with Raul Jimenez scoring his fourth Premier League aim in 5 video games in simply the fifth minute by capitalising on Pau Torres’ failure to take care of Bernd Leno’s lengthy ball and firing a shot in off the fitting put up.
Nonetheless, Villa responded simply 4 minutes later when Morgan Rogers’ deflected shot from 25 yards wrong-footed Leno and located the web.
Fulham had the prospect to regain the lead when VAR adjudged Matty Money to have dealt with the ball within the space however Andreas Pereira telegraphed his tame penalty and allowed Emiliano Martinez to carry his effort.
Villa spurned a golden likelihood of their very own simply earlier than the interval as Rogers side-footed with the aim gaping. The guests, although, began on the entrance foot once more with Leno making two sharp stops to maintain out Andersen after which Jacob Ramsey.
However the Fulham goalkeeper may do little about Watkins’ excellent glancing header at a nook which grazed the underside of the crossbar because it went in and sparked Fulham’s 10 minutes of insanity.
Watkins tried to burst via on aim and drew a careless foul from Andersen, who was proven a straight pink card for denying a transparent goalscoring alternative.
Diop hacked Lucas Digne’s low cross into the Fulham web together with his first contact to compound the hosts’ distress though either side completed with 10 gamers as Villa substitute Jaden Philogene collected two late yellow playing cards.
Silva: We need to see consistency in refereeing choices
Fulham supervisor Marco Silva stated:
“It was by no means efficiency from us.
“It’s kind of bizarre the best way we conceded objectives and we weren’t in a position to punish them in some moments as properly. After the penalty I believe I felt the group a bit extra nervous. We weren’t enjoying at our greatest stage and after the penalty much more.”
On Andersen pink card: “In opposition to West Ham at house Adama Traore was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and was pushed from behind. That afternoon it was not a foul. All the reasons had been it was a smooth contact, not sufficient for him to go down.
“I wish to ask what sort of contact that this one is. It was even softer than that one and this afternoon was a penalty in opposition to us. We simply wish to see the consistency week-in, week-out for us to know.”
Jimenez turning into Fulham talisman after outstanding restoration
Raul Jimenez celebrates after firing Fulham in entrance in opposition to Aston Villa
At lengthy, lengthy final Raul Jimenez has rediscovered his type of previous.
The Fulham striker has scored 10 objectives in his final 12 Premier League begins – as many as in his earlier 58 beforehand.
His sharp end to stun Aston Villa early on was paying homage to the Jimenez who shone at Wolves earlier than the sickening cranium fracture that rocked his confidence.
Fulham have tempo and guile within the last third but additionally a talisman striker who’s each bit able to scoring 20 objectives this season.
It’s a testomony to the Mexican that he not solely had the will and bravado to proceed enjoying after his harm however that he’s now acting at his high stage once more.
David Richardson
Emery: Martinez is the most effective on this planet
Aston Villa supervisor Unai Emery stated:
“I am very happy with our mentality. We are attempting to maintain the identical performances we had final 12 months within the Premier League and be constant, specializing in every match as strongly as potential, tactically, individually, in our mentality, after which having fun with as properly and making an attempt to compete within the Champions League.
“We would have liked as we speak to play this match like we did, competing, and competing right here in opposition to Fulham as a result of they’re in an excellent second, they’ve an excellent coach, superb gamers, and all the time it’s totally tough to beat them right here.
“We did a unbelievable job. And even when they scored one aim, even when they’d a penalty, we had been all the time in the identical concept, enjoying with our recreation plan, focusing 100 per cent.”
On Emi Martinez: “Emiliano Martínez is the most effective goalkeeper on this planet and it means we want him in moments like as we speak. I used to be sitting on the bench and I used to be dreaming he saved [the penalty] – and he did.”
Villa set new file as journey continues
Amadou Onana celebrates after Aston Villa take a 3-1 lead at Fulham due to an Issa Diop personal aim
Aston Villa have gotten an environment friendly profitable machine after registering their finest begin to a Premier League season for 26 years.
How would Unai Emery’s aspect deal with mixing Champions League soccer with a Premier League season? They’re passing with flying colors to this point.
They usually have been doing it the onerous away. Villa have rescued 10 factors from dropping positions this season, the joint most alongside Manchester Metropolis. They trailed Fulham after simply 5 minutes.
There’s a grittiness to Villa amongst their enticing and courageous fashion. The combination has meant they’ve stored only one clear sheet of their final 13 league video games. However that will not trouble their supporters, who’re having fun with the journey of their lives.
David Richardson