Fulham took the lead early on but Aston Villa came roaring back to win 3-1 at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Raul Jimenez gave Fulham the perfect start but Morgan Rogers equalized and Villa should have been ahead. Fulham’s Andreas Pereira then had a penalty kick saved by Emiliano Martinez and Villa never looked back despite a few half chances for Fulham.
Ollie Watkins scored a superb header, Joachim Andersen was sent off for hauling down Watkins and an own goal from Issa Diop put the icing on the cake for Villa, although late on Jaden Philogene was sent off for picking up two yellows as both teams finished the game with 10 players on the pitch.
With the win Villa move on to 17 points for the season, while Fulham remain on 11 points.
Villa’s duo of Rogers, Watkins tough to contain
Morgan Rogers could have easily scored a hat trick in the first half as he and Ollie Watkins ripped Fulham apart. They will do that to plenty more teams this season and beyond. Villa were so threatening in central areas as Watkins would drop deep, Rogers would run in-behind and vice versa. Rogers playing just underneath Watkins is working a treat and it opens up so many spaces for Villa’s other attacking players with Watkins’ runs in-behind relentless. This duo seem to be on the same wavelength and there’s nothing more dangerous than that for defenders.
Fulham vs Aston Villa player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Rogers and Watkins both had incredible outings in attack for Villa.
How to watch Fulham vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Craven Cottage
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Fulham vs Aston Villa final score: 1-3
Jimenez 5'; Rogers 9', Watkins 59', Diop OG 69'
Fulham vs Aston Villa live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Jaden Philogene sent off
A negative for Villa right at the end of the game as Philogene is sent off for picking up a second yellow card.
Villa put it to bed - Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
Digne’s cross into the box sees Diop score an own goal and Villa are cruising. Game. Set. Match.
Andersen sent off — Fulham have imploded!
The ball is played through to Watkins who is clean through and Andersen puts his arm on his shoulder and didn’t make a genuine attempt to get to the ball. A straight red card is given to Andersen who trudges off. Villa in total control now.
Brilliant header from Watkins and Villa finally lead - Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa
A corner from the left is whipped in and Ollie Watkins had so much to do but powers a header home from seven yards out as he beat Smith Rowe to the ball. Villa deservedly ahead.
Villa pushing hard to go ahead
An even start to the second half but Villa still seems more likely to score. Watkins twists and turns in the box and Andersen almost indadvertedly pokes the ball into his own net but Leno saves well.
Half time: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Fulham took an early lead but Villa were well on top for most of that first half and should be ahead. Morgan Rogers is running the show but he should have scored a second to put the visitors ahead at the break. Fulham have had chances though, and Andreas Pereira will be kicking himself after that penalty miss.
Should be 2-1 to Villa!
Watkins is played in down the left and pulls a perfect ball back for Rogers. He has to score but put his powerful effort wide from 10 yards out. That is a big miss just before half time.
Villa almost go ahead as Rogers flicks wide
Digne is in down the left and his ball back is touched towards goal by Rogers but the ball squirms wide. It looks like Berge may have just got a touch on it.
Emiliano Martinez saves the penalty!
That is a poor penalty. Andreas Pereira with a tame effort and Emiliano Martinez saves it easily. Then kisses his badge and celebrates. Justice was done. That was never a penalty kick in the first place.
VAR checking for a handball... and Fulham have a penalty
Raul Jimenez heads the ball towards goal in the box but it hits Cash on the hand. It did hit his hand but they were so close together. The referee is called over to the monitor and we all know what that means... He gives a penalty. That is a surprise. What was Cash meant to do!?
Another chance for Villa!
Rogers is running the show in midfield and this time his effort towards the near post is just wide. Fulham are holding on here.
Rogers’ shot takes a big deflection - Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Within a few minutes Villa are level. Rogers’ shot takes a big deflection off Bassey and goes in.
Red-hot Jimenez puts Fulham ahead - Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa
That didn’t take long! Raul Jimenez continues his fine form and finishes after a long punt forward from Leno finds him. The Mexican striker shrugs off the defender and scuffs a shot into the bottom corner. How easy was that!?
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Ramsey, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey; Rogers; Watkins
Fulham focus, team news
OUT: Carlos Vinicius (calf), Jorge Cuenca (ankle), Sasa Lukic (shoulder)
Aston Villa focus, team news
OUT: John McGinn (hamstring), Ezri Konsa (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Boubacar Kamara (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Amadou Onana (hamstring), Jacob Ramsey (adductor)
Fulham vs Aston Villa prediction
The international break makes for difficult forecasting, and there’s a danger in recency bias after seeing Jimenez look as good as ever against the United States on Tuesday. So let’s offset by complimenting a fantastic group of Villa attackers. Goals for both? Sure, and perhaps even a point for the hosts as Villa balance the return from the break with an upcoming Tuesday visit from Bologna in the UEFA Champions League. But... Unai Emery’s got juice right now. Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa.
