Aston Villa Report

John Townley

HT: Villa trail at the break after Ryan Sessegnon scored late in the first half, firing in after Emi Martinez initially saved Sasa Lukic's header. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both came close to opening the scoring for Villa 10 minutes before half-time. Fulham 1-0 #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

HT: Fulham 1-0 #AVFC A leisurely feel. Fulham have been stuck in a state of attacking inertia for a while, whereas Villa seemed content to let things drift. They will obviously have to step things up in the second half. Have to make more passes deep & find No 10s in better areas

Jacob Tanswell

In truth, #AVFC have let this game drift. Fulham have not scored in four of previous five and fans were agitated to see more. In the end, Bogarde doesn't tuck round from the initial cross (he was having to cover Cash). Villa not shown much in terms of intensity or possession.

John Townley

GOAL: Ryan Sessegnon breaks the deadlock at Craven Cottage. Emi Martinez saved Sasa Lukic's header, before Fulham's left-back dispatched the rebound. Fulham 1-0 #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

Goal, Sessegnon. Martinez saves initially but the left-back scores the rebound. 1-0 Fulham. #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

Rogers' shot just goes wide. Good build-up from #AVFC, though - Emery was shouting for shorter, quicker passes in the backline, dragging white shirts onto them before McGinn whipped a pass in behind for Rogers and Watkins to be 2v2. Rogers cut inside but drilled wide.

Jacob Tanswell

Tielemans and Bogarde working hard to stop passes between them. #AVFC are a threat if they can turn over the ball centrally & quickly pass to McGinn or Rogers. Maybe because they aren't really controlling possession, they aren't getting Watkins into the game (one pass completed)

John Townley

Aston Villa fans sing, "He wants to sign for a big club," to Harry Wilson. #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

McGinn just giving a few pointers to Bogarde. A few times, Bogarde has gone to press the man on the ball (McGinn is saying that is his job) leaving Smith-Rowe spare behind. #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

#AVFC trying to pass quickly into Rogers/McGinn/Buendia as Fulham's full-backs are not always in positions to press if they've just lost the ball, so all three should be in good areas to receive and turn. Tuchel is here, so a good chance for Watkins to force his way back in.