Ryan Sessegnon marked his new contract at Fulham by firing the winner as the Cottagers strengthened their hopes of qualifying for Europe with victory over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.
Wideman Sessegnon, who this week signed an extension until the end of next season, pounced inside the box in the 43rd minute after Emi Martinez beat Sasa Lukic’s header away.
Timothy Castagne thought he had doubled Fulham’s lead from close range during the second half, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul on Martinez.
The hosts moved level on points with eighth-placed Chelsea with their second successive home victory, keeping fourth-placed Villa start level on points with third-placed Manchester United and three clear of Liverpool immediately below them.
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Ryan Sessegnon: Why Fulham tactics ‘help’ hero vs Villa
Having rejoined Fulham for a second spell in 2024, Sessegnon said he has had a “very good week and a nice way to top it off” and said he had scored a “typical” goal by his standards.
“Following up the play, anticipating where the ball was going to bounce,” the 25-year-old told Fulham’s website.
“I’m happy I got good contact and kept it low. Off the ball, we tried to minimise [Villa’s] play inside.
“We forced the balls out wide and then we were getting the balls out wide and putting in good crosses and stuff like that.
“It helps my game when we build up in a back three, so I get in a bit closer to goal.”
Fulham, who drew 0-0 at Brentford last Saturday, are two points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in the likely Europa League qualification place of sixth.
“It was a very good team performance; everyone had to be at it,” added Sessegnon. “Defensively, it’s back-to-back clean sheets.
“In the last two games, we’ve shown we can be resilient, strong at the back and pick our moments to attack.
“Every man can look in the mirror today and be happy with how they did.”
Fulham team vs Villa
Raul Jimenez and Sander Berge came in for Fulham, with Alex Iwobi out after suffering a hamstring problem during the 0-0 draw at Brentford last Saturday and Rodrigo Muniz moving to the bench.
Right-back Kenny Tete and winger Kevin had ankle injuries.
Fulham starting XI: Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon, Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic, Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe, Samuel Chukwueze, Raul Jimenez
Fulham substitutes: Benjamin Lecomte, Issa Diop, Antonee Robinson, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Joshua King, Oscar Bobb, Rodrigo Muniz, Jonah Kusi-Asare
Aston Villa team vs Fulham
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara is out for the season with a knee injury for Villa, who made four changes from their 4-3 home win over Sunderland six days ago.
Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley and Lamare Bogarde moved to the bench and Amadou Onana was not in the matchday squad.
Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde and Emiliano Buendia came in. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made his 200th appearance for the club.
Aston Villa starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins
Villa substitutes: Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Ian Maatsen, Leon Bailey
What’s next? Fulham, Villa fixtures, schedule
Villa visit Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, two days before Fulham travel to title hopefuls Arsenal.
| Opponents | BST kick-off time | ET | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa | Forest (A) | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 |
| Fulham | Arsenal (A) | 17:30 | 12:30 | 09:30 |
Fulham vs Aston Villa stats
- Having lost two of their first 13 Premier League home games against Aston Villa (W5 D6), Fulham had been beaten in three of their previous four against them at Craven Cottage (W1)
- Fulham had failed to score in four of their previous five Premier League matches, which was as many as in their previous 25 combined. They’d had 71 shots over these five games and scored just three times for a conversion rate of 4.2%
- Fulham won for only the second time in their last nine against teams starting in the top half (D2 L6)
- Villa had won their previous six Premier League games against Fulham since a 3-0 loss in October 2022. Only against Coventry have they won more consecutively in the competition (7 between 1995 and 1998)
- They have won one of their last eight away Premier League games (D3 L3) and are winless in five (D2 L3), last enduring a longer winless run on the road in November and December 2024 (5 defeats)
- Manager Unai Emery had won all eight of his previous Premier League games against Fulham
- With six goals in nine Premier League appearances against Fulham, Villa striker Ollie Watkins has only scored more against Brighton (9) and Arsenal (7)
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