Villa finally off the mark with big win over Fulham
Aston Villa ended their winless Premier League start to the 2025-26 season by overturning an early deficit to defeat Fulham 3-1 at Villa Park on Sunday. The victory marks Villa’s first league triumph of the campaign after registering only one goal in their four previous league games.
Fulham took the lead after just three minutes when Raúl Jiménez scored a headed goal from a Sasa Lukic corner. Despite the early setback, Villa rallied with Ollie Watkins breaking his goalless streak by leveling the match eight minutes before halftime. Villa then seized control early in the second half with two quick goals within 104 seconds: John McGinn netted a precise strike to put Villa ahead, followed swiftly by Emiliano Buendia finishing a chance created by Watkins.
The response under manager Unai Emery came on the back of a midweek UEFA Europa League win over Bologna, signaling a positive momentum swing for the club. Emery’s side showed resilience and tactical discipline, overcoming a nervy start and defensive errors to claim all three points. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was pivotal, producing key saves and benefiting from crucial defensive interventions, including a goal-line clearance by Ezri Konsa.
Watkins’ pace and movement proved instrumental in unlocking Fulham’s defense, while McGinn’s composure and shot accuracy provided the clinical edge Villa had lacked earlier in the season. The win lifts Aston Villa out of the Premier League’s relegation zone and provides a critical confidence boost as they seek to establish stability under Emery’s strategic approach emphasizing quick transitions and pressing.
For Fulham, the missed opportunity to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions underscores the fine margins at the top-flight level. Villa’s victory, built on character and tactical execution, signals a potential turning point in their campaign to avoid another relegation battle.
Looking ahead, Emery will aim to build on this performance by refining Villa’s offensive consistency and defensive organization, ensuring a balanced squad capable of competing throughout the demanding Premier League schedule. For Watkins and McGinn in particular, this breakthrough performance could be a catalyst for a productive season in front of goal.