Ryan Sessegnon's first-half strike proved decisive as Fulham claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, extending their unbeaten run and denting Villa's top-four ambitions.
Fulham welcomed fourth-placed Aston Villa to West London on April 25th, seeking to build momentum in their push toward European qualification. The hosts sat 12th with 45 points from 33 matches, while Villa arrived with 58 points and genuine Champions League aspirations intact.
The opening exchanges saw Villa dominate possession early on. The visitors controlled the ball with their usual composure, working methodically through midfield to probe Fulham's defense. However, the hosts remained compact and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Fulham broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute through Ryan Sessegnon. The left-back drove forward with purpose and finished clinically to send the home crowd into raptures. It was a moment of quality from the defender, who showed composure when it mattered most.
That single goal proved enough to separate the sides at the interval. Fulham held a slender but precious advantage heading into the break. The hosts had weathered Villa's early pressure and struck when the opportunity presented itself.
Marco Silva's men emerged with renewed intensity after halftime. They looked to build on their lead and frustrate their high-flying opponents. Early in the second half, Tyrick Castagne received a yellow card for a robust challenge, setting a stern tone.
Aston Villa pressed hard to find an equalizer but lacked the cutting edge required. Emiliano Martinez made five saves throughout the match, keeping his side in the contest despite Fulham's organized defending. The visitors registered just one shot on target across the entire 90 minutes.
Fulham's defensive solidity proved the difference. Joachim Andersen marshaled the backline expertly, recording a 7.6 rating while making four tackles. Samuel Chukwueze added defensive work while creating two key passes from his attacking position.
The statistics told the story of a tight contest. Fulham managed 13 total shots with 6 on target, accumulating 1.13 expected goals. Villa enjoyed 61 percent possession and 516 passes but could only muster 10 shots with just one on target, generating 0.71 expected goals.
Late drama threatened when Harry Wilson received a yellow card in the 90+1st minute. Douglas Luiz saw yellow for Villa moments later as both teams showed frustration. However, Fulham held firm to secure all three points.
This victory moves Fulham closer to the European qualification places and represents a significant scalp against a top-four rival. Villa's Champions League hopes suffered a blow, though they retain a commanding points advantage over their competitors below.
