Overview
- Villa beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage after Raúl Jiménez’s opener, with goals from Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and substitute Emiliano Buendía.
- Watkins scored his first of the season to halt a nine-game barren run, earning praise on BBC Match of the Day for his movement and finishing.
- Buendía came on at halftime and delivered a goal and an assist within minutes, with Joe Hart calling it a significant moment in his return to form.
- Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said Fulham should have been awarded a penalty for a Matty Cash handball, adding to the refereeing debate from the match.
- Tyrone Mings was replaced in the first half with Emery noting an injury update post-match, while Boubacar Kamara’s late intervention boosted his case for a start against Feyenoord as Villa remain 16th in the table.