Aston Villa managed to clinch their inaugural Premier League victory of the 2025/26 season by overturning a deficit to defeat Fulham 3–1 at Villa Park. Prior to this match, Villa had been facing significant pressure: their confidence was low after a series of frustrating games, they struggled to find the net, and questions were being raised about their ability to meet the expectations surrounding Unai Emery’s team. Conversely, Fulham had started the campaign reasonably well and aimed to maintain their momentum with an away win.
The match got off to a nightmare start for Villa. Fulham took an early lead inside the first few minutes, Raúl Jiménez rose to head in from a Sasa Lukic corner, giving Marco Silva’s side the advantage. Fulham’s goal came from a set-piece, an area Villa have occasionally been vulnerable, and this early strike forced Villa to respond under pressure.
Villa’s response was methodical but hesitant at first. Fulham defended well early on, doing what was needed to slow Villa’s build-up, limit spaces, and restrict their attacking flow. But Villa gradually grew into the game. They created chances, tested Fulham’s defense, and finally got reward just before half-time when Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought. Assisted by Lucas Digne, Watkins produced a composed finish after being played through, making it 1-1 at halftime. That goal was significant not just for the scoreline, but for Villa’s morale, ending the dry run in front of goal.
The second half was where Villa pressed their advantage, showing better intensity, sharper movements, and more cohesion. Within minutes of the restart, John McGinn curled in a superb strike from outside the box to make it 2-1, giving Villa the lead for the first time in the match. This goal reflected Villa’s dominance in those early seconds of the second half — renewed energy, better control, and an attacking impetus that Fulham struggled to contain.
Shortly after McGinn’s goal, Villa capitalised again. Watkins turned provider, pulling back a pass for Emiliano Buendía, who slotted home to make it 3-1. That sequence, two goals in quick succession, effectively broke Fulham’s resistance and put the game beyond reach. From then on, Villa managed the match well, defended effectively, saw off Fulham’s attempts to get back in, and closed it out with composure.
Ollie Watkins will be the standout for many, scoring his first goal of the season after a drought, then helping create another. His goal broke Villa’s proverbial shackles and set the stage for the comeback.
John McGinn once again showed why he is a central figure for Villa. His second-half goal was well-taken, and he controlled large parts of the midfield, helping drive the team’s momentum.
Emiliano Buendía, coming off the bench, injected creativity and took his chance well. Linking up with Watkins, he finished precisely to seal the result.
On the Fulham side, the early goal from Raúl Jiménez raised expectations, but his injury shortly after and his withdrawal weakened their attacking threat. Also, Fulham conceded two very avoidable goals in the second half, and their defensive organization appeared less sharp under Villa’s second-half pressure.
For Aston Villa, this win is more than just three points. It represents a release from pressure, getting off the mark in the league helps morale, both in the dressing room and among the fans. It also demonstrates that the squad has the mental resilience to come back from adversity, something that will matter over the course of a long season. Unai Emery can be encouraged by the signs of improvement, particularly in attack, and that some players stepped up when needed.
Fulham, meanwhile, will be disappointed. They had a bright start and looked capable of at least frustrating Aston Villa or holding on, but were undone by sloppy moments and perhaps a lack of depth when dealing with momentum shifts. Their defense under pressure was exposed, and injuries (to key players or early substitutions) will concern them. They must address consistency, particularly in game management when they are ahead.
Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Fulham felt like a turning point. After a sluggish start marred by goal droughts and creeping doubts, they showed fight, tactical flexibility, and the quality to overturn a deficit. Watkins breaking his record and being involved in the key moments, McGinn’s leadership in midfield, and Buendia’s creative spark were all vital links in the chain. Fulham, despite a promising start and early lead, couldn’t maintain their structure under Villa’s surge. This match may not decide the season, but for Villa it might mark the moment when momentum begins to swing back in their favour.
