Aston Villa Secures First Win of the Season Against Fulham
Unai Emery's emotions spoke volumes.
The raw enthusiasm displayed in Emery's goal celebrations, as he turned to the Aston Villa supporters and pumped his fists, starkly contrasted with his composed demeanor just an hour earlier.
Raul Jimenez had given Fulham an early lead in the third minute, as the Cottagers aimed to break their dismal streak at Villa Park.
However, Aston Villa continued their dominance as Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought, followed by quick goals from John McGinn and Emi Buendia, leaving Fulham with just one win in their last 22 league visits to Villa.
Emery celebrated the strikes from McGinn and Buendia as though they had clinched a title, reflecting the immense pressure he places on himself.
The former Arsenal manager's position at Villa remains secure; he was instrumental in the appointment of Roberto Olabe as Villa's new president of football operations following Monchi's departure last week. One challenging month does not erase the years of progress he has made.
Nonetheless, Aston Villa has experienced a disappointing start to the season, with five winless games and only one Premier League goal prior to Fulham's visit.
Although another lackluster performance was temporarily lifted by Watkins' equalizer, it could not disguise the team's struggles, as Villa failed to make a single tackle in the first half.
Two goals within two minutes from McGinn and Buendia transformed the match into a comfortable victory.
This win marked Villa's first in six matches, the latest they have gone into a Premier League season without a victory. It is also their latest first win in any league season since 1969-70, when they did not secure a win until their tenth match.
The victory over Fulham came just three days after a Europa League triumph against Bologna, potentially serving as a catalyst for recovery. Despite their struggles, Villa is only five points adrift of the top four.
Captain McGinn remarked to Sky Sports, "We've received a lot of praise in recent seasons, so as a footballer, you must accept both the highs and lows. The criticism has been justified; we haven't performed well enough. However, today's performance, along with Thursday's against Bologna, reflects a return to our true selves. We know we are still a strong team that opponents find challenging to face, and we demonstrated that today."
Villa benefited from Fulham's mistakes. While the visitors believed they should have been awarded a penalty in the first half, with Josh King booked for simulation after going down under Emi Martinez's challenge, their collapse early in the second half effectively handed Villa the victory.
Emery commented, "I think our results are beginning to bring balance. We are not where we want to be, but this result will hopefully help us improve. The way the players are connecting and adapting is crucial."
Watkins' role in Villa's comeback was particularly fitting. He ended a 700-minute goal drought in the Premier League by deftly lifting the ball over Bernd Leno eight minutes before half-time. This was his fifth goal in his last five league encounters against Fulham, and none were likely sweeter, especially after the scrutiny he faced following a missed penalty against Bologna.
McGinn, speaking to Match of the Day, said, "Watkins has faced considerable criticism recently, but what he receives from us as teammates and staff is love and support. His contributions in recent seasons have been outstanding. He tends to have a phase in the season where things don't quite click, but he works hard, and when he gets a chance, you expect him to score. Hopefully, this goal silences a few critics."
Watkins' clever finish came after Fulham failed to manage Lucas Digne's deep pass. Emery expressed hope that Watkins would continue his form, stating, "It's a consequence of how he played for 30 minutes on Thursday. The first step forward is to focus, be demanding, and he did that on Thursday and today. Hopefully, more goals will follow in the next match."
As Villa's record Premier League scorer with 76 goals, Watkins' latest strike reaffirmed his quality. Ellen White, the record scorer for England women's national team, noted, "Ollie Watkins has scored numerous goals in the Premier League for Aston Villa, but going nine games without a goal must have weighed on him. When he scored, it was as if a burden had been lifted. Strikers often think about their goal drought, and it can be heavy on their minds. Watkins was still getting into the right positions and taking shots; he just needed that clinical edge. Sometimes a bit of luck is needed, and he found that with his beautiful finish over the keeper and into the net. It seemed instinctive for him."
Buendia Shines in Villa's Victory
A subplot to the match was Buendia's significant impact after coming off the bench. The attacking midfielder assisted McGinn before scoring himself just two minutes later, following his introduction at half-time. This marked his first goal for Villa in a year, since scoring in the Carabao Cup against Wycombe last September, and his first in the Premier League since March 2023.
Villa had considered allowing the 28-year-old to leave during the summer after a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen last season. However, Buendia expressed his desire to fight for his place, having joined from Norwich in a record £38 million deal in 2021, only to have his career interrupted by a serious knee injury two years ago that sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 season.
Emery remarked, "He didn't want to leave; he had the option to depart during the transfer window, but he chose to remain and commit to the club. He demonstrates that commitment every day and in every match. We utilized him to harness his energy, commitment, and qualities. He scored, assisted, and will be crucial for us this year."
Buendia's decision to stay could prove wise, as Villa requires creativity and goals following their sluggish start. He told Sky Sports, "It feels incredible to score my first Premier League goal in years, especially after the injury and the low moments I've experienced. I worked hard to return, and I am truly happy to be back."