Aston Villa stored their hopes of a top-five Premier League end firmly alive after a Youri Tielemans objective proved to be the distinction towards Fulham at Villa Park.
Tielemans headed in from a John McGinn nook on 12-minutes to make sure Unai Emery’s facet moved degree on factors with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest within the desk.
It was a significant three factors for Emery’s facet, who wish to return to the Champions League after their run to the final eight this season, however the hosts missed a number of good probabilities to place the competition to mattress on what was a nervy afternoon for the house followers.
Defeat for Fulham, in the meantime, might effectively have dashed their desires of European soccer subsequent time period. Marco Silva’s facet are presently in eighth however the outcome means they’re now eight factors adrift of Villa in seventh.
Three factors secured. 9 left to battle for. 👊 pic.twitter.com/AYS4bWKNLn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 3, 2025
Villa make a robust begin in essential sport
Villa edged the opening exchanges, seemingly intent to place their disappointing Wembley displaying within the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace within the FA Cup semi-final firmly behind them.
And on 12-minutes, the hosts had been forward when from McGinn’s inviting nook, Tielemans’ header might solely be pushed into the roof of the web by Bernd Leno, sparking jubilation from the house supporters.
The Belgian midfielder once more went shut shortly earlier than half-time with an effort from distance however on this event Leno was readily available to tip the ball behind.
Hosts squander probabilities whereas guests develop into sport
Instantly following the restart, the hosts missed the primary of a number of good alternatives to double their lead.
Ezri Konsa discovered Matty Money and the full-back delivered an incredible ball for an unmarked Ollie Watkins contained in the field. However the England man didn’t get something on the cross and an excellent probability was squandered.
Aston Villa lead early!
Youri Tielemans scores with a robust header within the twelfth minute, following a high quality nook from John McGinn 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/b0cYQR22BZ
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) May 3, 2025
5-minutes later, Fulham had the ball behind Villa’s internet courtesy of Ryan Sessegnon, however the objective was dominated out for handball.
The guests, who path solely Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis for many factors gained from dropping positions within the league this time period, had been rising into the competition.
Harry Wilson wasted a few promising alternatives earlier than Watkins had one other good probability to double Villa’s lead however Leno was equal to it.
A closely-fought end
With lower than 1 / 4 of an hour remaining, Money blocked effectively to disclaim what seemed to be a sure equaliser from Joachim Andersen.
On the different finish, Donyell Malen was the subsequent wrongdoer of a missed probability as Leno once more saved.
Fulham had been compelled to complete the sport with ten males when Harrison Reed limped off after Silva had already made 5 substitutions.
It appeared to encapsulate the guests’ afternoon, as their hopes of clinching a European spot took a big dent on their travels.
For Villa, nevertheless, the dream of a second successive season within the Champions League appears very a lot again on.
