Aston Villa built a three-goal lead and got back in the win column with a 3-1 defeat of reeling Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday.
John McGinn and Ollie Watkins joined a Youri Tielemans-inspired Antonee Robinson own goal to give the Villans a 3-0 lead before Robinson set up Raul Jimenez’s consolation goal for the visitors.
WATCH ASTON VILLA vs FULHAM FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
The Villans lost 2-0 at Nottingham Forest last time out to throw a wrench in their top-four push in the Premier League, but rebounded nicely with a midweek defeat of AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League
Villa moves within a point of the top four, now holding 25 points. That’s two points off leaders Man City before the reigning champions play Chelsea at 11:30am ET.
Fulham, meanwhile, continues to prove a miserable opponent for Premier League foes, but have slipped all the way down to 16th, six points above the bottom three.
Marco Silva’s men just aren’t scoring goals — 10 from 12 games. Three of those came in a win over Sheffield United on Oct. 7, so Silva will hope Jimenez’s goal — a first PL goal in 18 months — boosts the attack moving forward.
Villa lays bare gulf in class over workmanlike Fulham
Marco Silva’s Fulham works hard, fouls harder, and doesn’t quit on games, but there’s a massive difference between the side built in Birmingham and the one constructed in London.
That’s probably down to Fulham’s yo-yo past few seasons while Villa’s stayed in the top flight, but the Villans have difference makes at every level from Emiliano Martinez’s goal to Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby up top.
Fulham have fighters like Tim Ream, Alex Iwobi, Bobby Decordova Reid, Antonee Robinson, and — for now — Joao Palhinha, but there’s ‘next big thing’ on the roster and it’s showing right now.
Villa had more work to do all week and still looked fresher. Fulham’s going to have to grind out nearly every result it gets this season. The good news is that the players look willing to do it.
What’s next?
The international break. Then Villa goes to Tottenham at 9am ET on Sunday, Nov. 26, before Fulham hosts Wolves a day later at 3pm ET.
Aston Villa vs Fulham final score: 3-1
Goal: Robinson (o.g. 27'), McGinn (43'), Watkins (64'), Jimenez (70')
Aston Villa vs Fulham player ratings
Aston Villa vs Fulham player ratings (fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Fulham player ratings (fotmob.com)
Raul Jimenez goal: Fulham pull one back
It’s a USMNT to El Tri connection, but it starts in Wales.
Harry Wilson picks out a marauding Antonee Robinson with a delightful, lid-opening ball.
Robinson’s there on the left and he squares for Raul Jimenez, who ends an 18-month wait for a goal.
Ollie Watkins goal: Gorgeous interplay for 3-0
John McGinn has the ball outside the 18 on the counter, and how he cuts the ball into space with three Cottagers around him is remarkably clever.
Leon Bailey runs onto that one and crosses it toward the heart of the box, where Ollie Watkins uses a deft touch to turn it into the side netting. 3-0.
Aston Villa vs Fulham halftime analysis: 2-0
If the game is scored in fouls, Fulham’s winning in a route.
The Cottagers are cutting a frustrated figure with 10 whistles the only thing they’ve done with regularity.
Fulham has 0.00 xG and just one corner kick on the day, while Villa’s two goals come off 0.93 xG and five shots. Three of those have been on target.
It’s going to take something really surprising for Fulham to get back in this one.
John McGinn goal: Villa up 2-0
A pretty goal with a simple description here.
Fulham pops a clearance into the air and John McGinn runs onto it, besting Bernd Leno with a pop from 20 yards.
Fulham own goal
USMNT fullback Antonee Robinson can’t do much about this, can he?
Youri Tielemans aims a cross for Moussa Diaby from the left, and Diaby can’t quite get to it.
Problem is, Fulham keeper Bernd Leno thought Diaby would get something on it. The ball squirts under Leno and turns off the foot of an airborne Robinson to put the Villans on the board in the 27th minute.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Fulham live, stream link and start time:
Kick off: 9am ET, Sunday (November 12)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Stream Premier League on Peacock
Aston Villa lineup
Introducing your Aston Villa team! 👊 pic.twitter.com/mzqq2c9kRs
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 12, 2023
Fulham lineup
Team news is in! 🚨#AVLFUL pic.twitter.com/2Iq97FAAQF
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 12, 2023
Focus on Aston Villa, team news
Villa spreads the scoring around, but Ollie Watkins’ 10 goal contributions (five goals, five assists) scream off the page and he has done so well to finish chances provided by Douglas Luiz and others while also feeding Moussa Diaby and his fellow attackers.
OUT: Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Jacob Ramsey (ankle)
Focus on Fulham, team news
With all due respect to USMNT stars Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, who remain solid enough, the entire team hinges on its best player. Palhinha is not known for his offense but is one of only three Cottagers with multiple goal contributions, adding to his invaluable status.
OUT: Issa Diop (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Adama Traore (hamstring), Kenny Tete (fitness), Tosin Adarabioyo (groin), Rodrigo Muniz (undisclosed)