Aston Villa rallied from a third-minute setback to beat Fulham 3-1 at Villa Park, claiming their first Premier League win of the season on a day when long-awaited moments and contested decisions shared the stage. Ollie Watkins, goalless in his previous nine games, levelled before half-time, and two rapid strikes just after the interval from John McGinn and substitute Emiliano Buendía completed a much-needed comeback.
Fulham’s bright opening was tempered by frustration over two penalty calls that went against them, with Josh King booked for simulation after contact with Emi Martínez and a Matty Cash handball waved away by VAR. Ultimately, though, Marco Silva’s side wilted as Villa raised the tempo, with Buendía providing precisely the jolt Unai Emery had sought.
A Lightning Start, a Simmering Sense of Injustice
The visitors landed the first punch. From Sasa Lukic’s corner, Raúl Jiménez glanced a header beyond Martínez inside three minutes, a crisp finish that rewarded Fulham’s early intent. The striker’s afternoon was cut short shortly after by an injury, forcing an early change and bringing on Adama Traoré.