Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham: Report, result, goals as McGinn and Buendia fire Villa to first Premier League win of the season

Aston Villa won their first Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 comeback victory courtesy of goals from John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia early in the second half.

Fulham took the lead after three minutes through Raul Jimenez’s header but Ollie Watkins drew Villa level in the 37th minute with his long-awaited first goal of the season.

Early in the second half, Villa raced into a two-goal lead, firstly through McGinn’s long-range strike before Buendia poked in a third goal in the 51st minute.

The win takes Villa out of the bottom three and onto six points, with Fulham’s three-match winning streak coming to an end to leave them 10th.

Aston Villa vs Fulham as it happened

Fulham took the lead after just three minutes when Jimenez ghosted in at the near post to head into the far corner after losing the run of Lamare Bogarde.

Jimenez was unfortunately taken off moments later after appearing to take a hit to the midriff during the build-up to the goal, with Adama Traore coming on.

The away side continued to be the better side, with Josh King booked for simulation for the second week running when he collided with Emiliano Martines when through on goal.

Fulham then had a shout for a penalty waved away when King’s shot inside the box hit the hand of Matty Cash, but VAR deemed the right-back’s hand to be in a natural position.

But the Villa faithful got the boost they were so desperate for through the means of route one as Lucas Digne’s long ball forward found its way all the way through to Watkins, who looped a finish above Bernd Leno and into the net.

The began to stretch after the goal as King headed Traore’s cross straight into the path of Martinez, before Morgan Rogers was unable to bring down John McGinn’s cross after a good run from the England midfielder.

Villa fly out the traps in second half

Buendia replaced Harvey Elliott at half-time and it coincided with a huge improvement from the hosts, with Bogarde winning the ball off Traore before McGinn lashed them in front from the edge of the box.

That gave Villa a new-found confidence and they doubled their lead just a few minutes later when Watkins teed up Buendia to stab home for his first Premier League goal since March 2023.

Much of the second half saw a more confident Villa assert control on home soil, though Fulham did push to get back into the game during the final 10 minutes.

After a desperate start to the season, this victory will lift the pressure hugely on Emery and his side and they will hope it can be a springboard for success to climb them further up the table.