Aston Villa made an important comeback in the battle for Champions League qualification when Youri Tielemans secured a decisive 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side could get nothing less than a win at Villa Park, as the battle for a top five finish in the Premier League nears a dramatic conclusion.
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Belgian midfielder Tielemans kept the dream alive with his goal that brought seventh-placed Villa up to the same points as Chelsea (5th) and Nottingham Forest (6th). Aston Villa have only three games left, while Chelsea and Forest both have one game in reserve.
Manchester City’s win over Wolverhampton on Friday increased the pressure on Villa to deliver against Marco Silva’s side – and they responded to expectations. After a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, this was an important mental test for Villa.
Considering their memorable Champions League quarter-final this year, Emery is desperate to lead Villa back to Europe’s elite club competition next season.
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Key players decided
Villa had to do without Marcus Rashford, who has travelled to Dubai to rehabilitate from an injury that is likely to end his season. Ollie Watkins returned to the starting line-up as a striker in Rashford’s absence. Watkins had previously expressed frustration at having to settle for substitute roles in both matches against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Early in the game, Watkins had the opportunity to respond to the criticism, but was unable to keep the header on target.
Villa did not have to regret that miss, as they took the lead already in the 7th minute:
- John McGinn sent in a precise corner kick
- Tielemans stuck out and hammered a powerful header past goalkeeper Bern Leno
Fulham’s first big chance came when Raúl Jiménez couldn’t control Saša Lukić’s free-kick. Jiménez came close to equalising just before half-time with a fine finish from long range.
Nervous final minutes
In the second half:
- Watkins missed a golden opportunity from Matty Cash’s pass
- Ryan Sessegnon’s ‘goal’ was annulled after VAR review (offside)
- Harry Wilson lost his temper in a 1-on-1 with Emiliano Martínez
- Leno saved smartly on Watkins’ shot
- Cash saved on the line against Joachim Andersen
In added time, Donyell Malen hit the crossbar, but Villa had done just enough to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
A victory that keeps Villa in the intense battle to secure historic Champions League participation next season.
