Youri Tielemans, one of Aston Villa’s standout performers this season, netted a first-half header to give his side the lead in a game billed as a must-win for Villa’s top-five hopes.
The Belgian midfielder nodded home John McGinn’s inviting corner on 12-minutes as Unai Emery’s men aim to put behind them their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last weekend.
From McGinn’s inswinger, Tielemans timed his run to perfection and his header proved too strong for Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal and the German keeper could only push the ball into the roof of the net.
Aston Villa lead early!
Youri Tielemans scores with a powerful header in the 12th minute, following a quality corner from John McGinn 💥
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Cue jubilance from the home supporters, who know a win would put their side firmly back in the race for a top-five finish and a Champions League place next season.
Fulham, however, have European aspirations of their own. Marco Silva’s side are currently eighth in the table but defeat to Emery’s team would put them eight points adrift of the top seven.
But the visitors will take confidence from the fact that only Liverpool and Manchester City have gained more points from losing positions than them in the league this term.
It promises to be an intriguing second-half in the west Midlands.
