Watkins ends goal drought as Villa claim first win
Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Fulham for their first Premier League win of the season.
The England striker had not scored in his previous nine games, the joint-worst run of his Villa career, but his equalizer gave Villa the platform for victory.
John McGinn and substitute Emi Buendia, who scored his first Villa goal in a year, netted twice in two minutes just after the break to put the game beyond Fulham.
Raul Jimenez’s header had given the visitors a third-minute lead, but he was forced off injured soon after.
The Cottagers, who have won just one of their past 22 league games at Villa Park, faded after a strong start, allowing Villa, who again looked poor for most of the first half, to come back into the game.
Ezri Konsa cleared off the line from Sasa Lukic as Fulham tried to recover from their nightmare start to the second half, but by then Villa had taken control.
Aston Villa desperately needed this victory. While Unai Emery’s position is not under threat, the narrative around their season had been one of concern following five winless games.
More is expected of a club with European ambitions, and Villa’s flat and listless performances had been a growing worry.
Three points against Fulham can now give Villa the springboard they craved as they travel to Feyenoord in the Europa League this week.
They will face Burnley next in the Premier League, and the horizon looks a little brighter, especially after Thursday’s narrow Europa League win over Bologna.
Not that this was Villa at their swashbuckling best, far from it. They ground it out after falling behind to Raul Jimenez’s header, while there was also an element of Fulham allowing them a route back.
Watkins ending his goal drought removes another obstacle that had threatened to trip Villa up this season. The striker, who scored 16 times in the Premier League last season, is crucial to Villa’s hopes, having had little goalscoring backup. His return to the scoresheet capped a satisfying, if not comprehensive, win.
