Aston Villa bounced back from their FA Cup heartbreak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League, keeping their Champions League aspirations firmly on track with just three games left in the season.
The only goal of the game came early, courtesy of a well-placed header from Youri Tielemans in the 12th minute. The Belgian midfielder rose above Fulham’s defence to nod home John McGinn’s inswinging corner, marking his third Premier League goal of the campaign and his fifth in all competitions.
Despite dominating key moments, Villa were unable to extend their lead, leaving the match tense until the final whistle. Ollie Watkins, in particular, will rue his missed opportunities, including a golden chance early in the second half when he failed to connect cleanly with Matty Cash’s inviting low cross.
Villa manager Unai Emery demanded a response after their disappointing 3-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Crystal Palace, and his side delivered with energy and purpose. The win lifts Villa level on points with Chelsea, currently holding the fifth and final Champions League spot, and sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, intensifying the race for European places.
Tielemans shone throughout the match, not only scoring the decisive goal but also pulling strings in midfield. Just before half-time, he nearly doubled Villa’s lead with a powerful strike from outside the box, which Fulham keeper Bernd Leno expertly deflected—although referee Robert Jones mistakenly awarded a goal kick, failing to notice the crucial touch.
Fulham, to their credit, showed spirit, particularly at the start of the second half. They thought they had equalised when Ryan Sessegnon fired home with his left foot, only for VAR to rule the goal out for handball in the build-up. Moments later, a slick Alex Iwobi through-ball nearly found Harry Wilson, but Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was quick off his line to snuff out the danger.
Fulham manager Marco Silva praised his team’s commitment despite the defeat, but the result was a setback in their own European ambitions. The Cottagers, now ninth in the table, risk slipping into the bottom half depending on other weekend results. With just three games remaining, their path to continental competition has narrowed significantly.
Donyell Malen nearly sealed the victory for Villa with a thunderous effort that rattled the crossbar in the closing stages. And although Watkins was again denied by Leno’s legs after a clever pass from Morgan Rogers, Villa held on for a vital three points.
Ezri Konsa earned Player of the Match honours with a commanding performance at the back, recording an impressive average user rating of 8.67. Tielemans and McGinn also received high praise for their influential roles in midfield.
Emery expressed his determination to push for a top-five finish, calling the Champions League dream “alive and within reach.” Villa’s resurgence in recent weeks—seven wins in their last nine league outings—has lifted them from mid-table obscurity to the brink of elite European competition.
Meanwhile, Fulham have now suffered six defeats in their past ten matches, the same number as they endured in their first 25 games this season. Silva’s side must regroup quickly, as upcoming fixtures against Brighton and Brentford will be crucial in determining their final position.
With the Premier League entering its final stretch, Aston Villa’s next games will be decisive. Whether they can hold their nerve and break into the Champions League places remains to be seen—but their performance against Fulham proved they are ready to fight until the end.
Final Score: Aston Villa 1 – 0 Fulham
Goal: Tielemans (12’)
Attendance: 42,515 at Villa Park
Will Aston Villa make it into the top five by season’s end?
