Ollie Watkins scored twice as Aston Villa returned to the Premier League’s top four with a narrow victory at Fulham.
Jacob Ramsey pinched the ball off Willian after a poor throw-in from Antonee Robinson and set up Watkins who slotted Villa into a 23rd-minute lead.
And the England forward deservedly doubled his tally when he buried Youri Tielemans’ through-ball just after the restart.
The hosts were gifted a way back into the match as Rodrigo Muniz capitalised on a mix-up between Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez and defender Clement Lenglet.
Martinez was then called into two fine saves in second-half injury time as Unai Emery’s side held on.
They now sit fourth in the table after rivals Tottenham were beaten 2-1 by Wolves on Saturday.
Watkins stars as Villa return to form
It is no secret that Aston Villa have not had the start to 2024 the club would have wanted.
After missing out on a chance to go top of the Premier League on Boxing Day, Villa have lost four of their past 10 matches in all competitions, and had slipped down to fifth in the league table.
The visitors started brightly with Tielemans, in for the injured Boubacar Kamara, setting up Watkins, only for his goal to be ruled offside in the first two minutes.
After the forward’s opener, Leon Bailey struck the crossbar with a curling effort and Tielemans was denied by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno when through on goal.
Alex Moreno also had a first-half headed finish ruled out for a tight offside, timing his run a fraction too early to meet Watkins’ flick on.
The England striker had a superb game and has now scored 19 goals in all competitions this season. He had come into Saturday’s match with just two goals from his past 10 games.
Villa, now two points clear of Tottenham in fifth, face Nottingham Forest at home in their next match next Saturday.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
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Fulham
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Squad number17Player nameLeno
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Squad number21Player nameCastagne
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Squad number31Player nameDiop
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Squad number13Player nameReam
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Squad number33Player nameRobinson
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Squad number26Player nameJoão Palhinha
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Squad number10Player nameCairney
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Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid
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Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira
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Squad number20Player nameWillian
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Squad number19Player nameRodrigo Muniz
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Squad number3Player nameBassey
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Squad number8Player nameWilson
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Squad number11Player nameTraoré
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Squad number22Player nameIwobi
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Squad number28Player nameLukic
Aston Villa
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Squad number1Player nameE Martínez
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Squad number2Player nameCash
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Squad number17Player nameLenglet
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Squad number14Player nameP Torres
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Squad number15Player nameÁlex Moreno
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Squad number31Player nameBailey
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Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
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Squad number6Player nameDouglas Luiz
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Squad number41Player nameJ Ramsey
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Squad number8Player nameTielemans
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Squad number11Player nameWatkins
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Squad number12Player nameDigne
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Squad number19Player nameDiaby
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Squad number47Player nameIroegbunam
Line-ups
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 17Leno
- 21CastagneBooked at 89mins
- 31Diop
- 13ReamSubstituted forBasseyat 76′minutes
- 33Robinson
- 26João PalhinhaBooked at 86minsSubstituted forLukicat 89′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 10Cairney
- 14De Cordova-ReidSubstituted forWilsonat 64′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 18PereiraSubstituted forTraoréat 75′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 20WillianSubstituted forIwobiat 45′minutes
- 19Muniz Carvalho
Substitutes
- 1Rodák
- 3Bassey
- 4Tosin
- 6Reed
- 8Wilson
- 11Traoré
- 12Ballo-Touré
- 22Iwobi
- 28Lukic
Aston Villa
Formation 4-4-2
- 1E Martínez
- 2Cash
- 17Lenglet
- 14P Torres
- 15MorenoBooked at 74minsSubstituted forDigneat 81′minutes
- 31BaileySubstituted forDiabyat 81′minutes
- 7McGinnBooked at 32mins
- 6Douglas Luiz
- 41J Ramsey
- 8TielemansSubstituted forIroegbunamat 90+4′minutes
- 11Watkins
Substitutes
- 12Digne
- 16Chambers
- 18Gauci
- 19Diaby
- 22Zaniolo
- 25Olsen
- 27Rogers
- 29Kesler-Hayden
- 47Iroegbunam
- Referee:
- Lewis Smith
- Attendance:
- 24,401
Live Text
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Match ends, Fulham 1, Aston Villa 2.
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Second Half ends, Fulham 1, Aston Villa 2.
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Foul by Adama Traoré (Fulham).
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John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Harry Wilson (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
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Substitution, Aston Villa. Tim Iroegbunam replaces Youri Tielemans.
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Adama Traoré (Fulham) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Adama Traoré (Fulham).
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Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Adama Traoré (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rodrigo Muniz with a through ball.
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Sasa Lukic (Fulham) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Sasa Lukic (Fulham).
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Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Fulham. Sasa Lukic replaces João Palhinha.
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Timothy Castagne (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
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Attempt missed. Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by João Palhinha.
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Attempt blocked. João Palhinha (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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João Palhinha (Fulham) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by João Palhinha (Fulham).
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John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.