Aston Villa secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a much-needed 3-1 comeback win over Fulham, easing the pressure after a shaky start to the campaign.
Villa were punished early when Raúl Jiménez headed Fulham in front from a Sasa Lukic corner inside three minutes. The Mexican striker, however, was forced off shortly afterwards with an injury.
Ollie Watkins, who had not scored since May, levelled in the 36th minute after latching on to Lucas Digne’s long pass and lifting the ball over Bernd Leno. The goal shifted momentum firmly in Villa’s favour.
Unai Emery’s side struck twice in quick succession early in the second half. John McGinn finished emphatically from the edge of the box after good work from Emiliano Buendía, before Buendía himself poked in Watkins’s cutback moments later to make it 3-1.
Fulham threatened a response when Josh King intercepted a loose pass from Emi Martínez, but Ezri Konsa’s block denied Lukic a clear scoring chance. Villa, who had looked vulnerable defensively in recent weeks, held firm to claim the three points.
McGinn left to a standing ovation when substituted, while Emery celebrated passionately on the touchline, the win offering his side a timely boost before a busy run of fixtures.
