Aston Villa Secures First Premier League Win Against Fulham
Aston Villa finally achieved their first Premier League victory of the season, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park. Raul Jiménez put the visitors ahead early in the match, scoring in the third minute before leaving the pitch limping after his celebration—an unfortunate twist for a player who initially looked ecstatic.
While the win is crucial for Unai Emery’s squad, the overall atmosphere within the team appeared subdued. Former striker Les Ferdinand noted that the Villa players didn’t seem particularly happy, hinting that there may be underlying issues affecting team morale.
Controversial Moments Impacting the Game
Fulham’s Josh King had a right to feel aggrieved during the match. As Villa clung to their slim lead, Matty Cash handled a goal-bound shot, yet a penalty wasn’t awarded. This decision baffled fans and commentators alike, leaving many questioning the judgment of the officiating crew.
Ollie Watkins: A Striker in Need of Support
At the center of Villa’s attacking struggles is Ollie Watkins. Last season, he scored 17 goals and tallied 14 assists across all competitions. However, with Jhon Duran’s departure to Al-Nassr, Watkins has found himself lacking competitive support. While he shone for a moment with a stunning equalizer against Fulham—a neat lob over the keeper followed by his signature spin and celebration—his overall performance raised concerns.
Here’s a breakdown of Watkins’ performance by the numbers:
- Goals: 1
- Shots: 1
- Touches: 27
- Total Passes: 15 (53% accuracy)
- Key Passes: 0
- Possession Lost: 12
- Offsides: 1
One shot in 90 minutes hardly screams “talisman,” and his passing statistics reflect a broader issue—Aston Villa needs to create more quality chances for their leading striker. For Watkins to regain his previous form, Emery must devise a system that supports him better.
Confidence Concerns
Watkins’ confidence may have taken a hit after he was demoted from taking penalty kicks. In a recent match against Bologna, he missed a spot-kick, prompting teammate John McGinn to clarify that Watkins was not originally the primary penalty taker. “I’ve gone down the list after the Brentford one,” McGinn explained. “Donyell [Malen] was meant to take it, but he was off the pitch, so Ollie was next in line as the striker. It’s something we need to eradicate and get better at.”
Given his impressive record from last season, it’s likely that Watkins will find his scoring touch again. However, until that happens, Emery must identify alternative sources of goals for his squad to avoid becoming predictable—a tough challenge in a league that rewards sharpness and efficiency.