Fulham 0 - 3 Aston Villa: Finished | 2020-09-28 | Premier League

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Alphonse Areola	0	3	2

Forwards	S	FC	FW
Aleksandar Mitrovic	6	2	2
Ivan Cavaleiro	2	2	2
Bobby Reid 78'	0	1	0

Midfielders	S	FC	FW
Joe Bryan	3	2	1
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa	1	1	0
Tom Cairney	1	1	4
Kenny Tete 39'	0	0	1

Defenders	FC	FW
Tim Ream	0	0
Denis Odoi	5	1
Michael Hector 58'	0	1

Substitutes	FC	FW
Aboubakar Kamara 39'(Kenny Tete)	3	2
Maxime Le Marchand 58'(Michael Hector)	1	0
Neeskens Kebano 78'(Bobby Reid)	0	0
Antonee Robinson	0	0
Josh Onomah	0	0
Anthony Knockaert	0	0
Marek Rodák	-	-

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Emiliano Martínez	0	0	2

Forwards	G	S	FC	FW
Ollie Watkins	0	2	2	1
Jack Grealish 4'	1	2	3	6
Trézéguet 84'	0	0	0	0

Midfielders	G	GA	S	FC	FW
John McGinn	0	2	1	1	5
Douglas Luiz 87'	0	0	0	3	0
Conor Hourihane 76' 15'	1	1	2	0	0

Defenders	G	S	FC	FW
Matthew Cash	0	0	3	0
Matt Targett	0	0	0	1
Ezri Konsa Ngoyo	0	0	1	3
Tyrone Mings 48'	1	2	1	0

Substitutes	FC	FW
Jacob Ramsey 76'(Conor Hourihane)	0	2
Bertrand Traoré 84'(Trézéguet)	0	0
Marvelous Nakamba 87'(Douglas Luiz)	0	0
Keinan Davis	0	0
Ahmed El Mohamady	0	0
Kortney Hause	0	0
Jed Steer	-	-

90'+4'

That is all from tonight's game, until next time!

90'+4'

After an EFL Cup trip to Brentford, the Cottagers next go to Wolves still in search of their first points of the season. Smith's side face the daunting challenge of Liverpool at Anfield next, however, the Villains will be buoyed by their positive start to the new Premier League campaign.

90'+4'

A professional away performance by the Villains sees them make it two wins from two with a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The damage was done through Grealish and Hourihane's early goals, before Mings' sliding finish confirmed the three points. Fulham consistently looked to Mitrovic for a way back in to the game but lacked the quality to cause Villa too many problems from the wide areas.

90'+4'

FULL-TIME: FULHAM 0-3 ASTON VILLA

90'+3'

This is the joint-most yellow cards in a game for Fulham (6, also v West Ham in January 2007).

90'+1'

Kamara also joins Mings in the book at the same time for the same confrontation.

90'+1'

Mings is cautioned by Attwell for a coming together with Kamara.

90'

CROSSBAR! Cavaleiro's initial shot is blocked in the area and Bryan receives the loose ball. The full-back then shoots with the inside of his left foot and Martinez does well, diving to his left, to tip the ball on to the crossbar before it rolls away to safety.

90'

Watkins and McGinn have a great chance to make it four as it is the two of them against Ream on the counter-attack. Watkins' pass is too soft and Ream intercepts.

89'

This could be a big clean sheet for Villa. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 26 away games in the top-flight, since a 0-0 draw vs West Brom in January 2016.

88'

Kamara's cross seems to be heading out for a goal-kick but Cash clearly thinks differently as he needlessly turns the ball behind for a Fulham corner, which comes to nothing.

87'

Douglas Luiz is subsituted off for Nakamba in midfield.

86'

SAVE! Mings nearly gets a second goal as he latches on to McGinn's cross. The centre-back's powerful header gets tipped over the bar by Areola and the visitors will have another corner.

85'

Grealish races away and with three Villa shirts in the area, chooses to roll in Ramsey, who is tackled by Ream, before he can create any sort of significant chance.

84'

Traore comes on for his Premier League debut in Villa colours and replaces is Trezeguet.

82'

Trezeguet's shot is blocked by Bryan on the right and Villa have another corner. The corner is too deep and comes to nothing.

81'

Despite Kebano's best efforts, he is not quick enough to get on the end of Kamara's pass and Martinez sweeps up the danger.

79'

There is chaos on the right of the pitch with tackles flying in all over. Eventually, Attwell decides enough is enough and deems that McGinn was fouled by Cavaleiro.

78'

Decordova-Reid is brought off for Kebano.

76'

Youngster Ramsey comes on for Hourihane, who has scored and assisted one for the visitors here.

75'

Villa's frustrations are audible as Watkins is brought down on the left, Attwell is having none of their claims and demands the teams carry on playing.

73'

Mitrovic, once again, heads wide from a Cavaleiro cross and that will not trouble Martinez in Villa's net.

72'

Cavalerio turns Cash and looks to have a chance of crossing until the full-back recovers and concedes a corner on the right.

71'

Targett's diagonal pass is wayward and Cash does well to keep it in play. He plays backwards before Villa launch an attack, which breaks down as Grealish gets tackled in Fulham's area.

69'

Fulham are the second team to have conceded at least three goals in each of their opening three Premier League games this season, after West Bromwich Albion; only twice in the previous 28 Premier League campaigns had a side done so (West Ham in 2010-11 and 2017-18).

68'

Le Marchand, who was only recently brought on, is booked as he brings down McGinn on purpose to stop Villa's counter-attack.

66'

Cash's deep cross has three Villa attackers lining up for a chance. Grealish is the pick of the three and volleys wide of Areola's goal. Replays show that perhaps all three of them were offside.

64'

Fulham keep finding Mitrovic in the area but the crosses are of no real quality, so despite creating chances, they are not really testing Martinez regularly.

62'

Mitrovic, again, gets in between Mings and Cash, however, the striker can only head over as he gets underneath Kamara's cross from the right.

60'

WIDE! Cairney is offered too much space and swings in a left-footed cross. Mitrovic heads his captain's cross back across goal but his header falls inches wide of Martinez's left-hand post.

59'

McGinn is cautioned after a sliding tackle on Bryan, who had just beaten the Scot out wide.

58'

Hector is replaced in the centre of defence by Le Marchand.

55'

Although Watkins hasn't got on the scoresheet as of yet, he has been a constant nuisance for Fulham's defence. This time the striker chases down a long ball by Targett which looked like a lost cause and wins possession back for his side.

53'

SAVE! McGinn is slid in by Grealish and the former unleashes a low left-footed shot towards the front post which Areola saves with his feet. That was nearly four for Smith's side.

45'+5'

It is hard to see how Parker and his team get back in to this game. As the first half neared its conclusion, more and more gaps were opening up at the back for the hosts as they looked to press forward down the other end, which will only encourage Villa that they can counter-attack and grab a third.

51'

Mings, who has just added Villa's third, rises the highest to head Cavaleiro's cross away from wide on the right.

45'+5'

Smith's side started the brighter of the two teams and deservedly lead 2-0 after grabbing two early goals at Craven Cottage. Villa's second goal in particular showed glimpes of brilliance as Grealish, Watkins and McGinn all combined before the Scot played in Hourihane with the deftest of touches.

50'

This so far has been a classic away performance by Villa, as the visitors have been solid at the back and clinical going forward. In fact, they have scored from all three shots they have had on target.

45'+5'

HALF-TIME: FULHAM 0-2 ASTON VILLA

48'

Hourihane assists Mings with his free-kick from wide on the left near the touchline.

48'

GOALLLL!!!! 3-0 VILLA! Hourihane’s wide free-kick finds Mings at the front post. The centre-back slides in with his left leg and deflects the ball past Areola, who seemed caught in two minds as to whether to come for the cross or not.

45'+3'

Bryan hacks McGinn down wide on the right and is carded by Attwell for the slide tackle.

47'

Odoi brings down Grealish as he looks to counter-attack and is booked for his tactical foul.

47'

Hector's failed diagonal pass allows Grealish space to counter before he is cynically brought down by Odoi.

45'+2'

The corner is played short and returned to Hourihane, who crosses towards the front post but Watkins gets the header all wrong and heads well wide from inside the six-yard area.

46'

The teams are back out and referee Attwell gets the second half underway.

45'+1'

There will be four minutes of added time as Hourihane's strike is deflected behind by Hector.

44'

Cash attempts to bring Cavaleiro down not once, but twice, and Attwell awards the hosts a free-kick wide on the left. The free-kick is poor and dealt with, again, by Konsa.

42'

Fulham earn a corner on the left wing which Cavaleiro will take. The winger's cross is deep and heading for Kamara before Konsa intervenes.

40'

Kamara's introduction means Fulham will switch to a regular back four, after starting the game with a three-man defence of Odoi, Ream and Hector.

39'

Tete, who seemed to be struggling with a calf injury, is replaced by Kamara.

38'

Tete is on the floor holding his calf, meaning Fulham's medical team will have to come on to see to the full-back. This could be the last we see of the French defender.

36'

Grealish clips a ball from deep over Fulham's defence. Watkins latches on to the long pass but can only send his shot high and wide of the target from the edge of the area.

34'

Decordova-Reid breaks away with pace and launches a pass out wide to Cavaleiro. The hosts look to build on their possession before Zambo Anguissa misplaces a simple pass towards Tete.

32'

Cavaleiro cuts inside and fires a shot well wide of Martinez's goal. Grealish had given possession away deep in his own half and nearly gifted Fulham an opportunity to get back in to the game.

30'

Konsa does well to hold off the pressure of Mitrovic and Decordova-Reid, managing to play backwards towards the safety of Martinez in Villa's net.

28'

After starting that move which nearly led to Villa's third, Grealish goes down clutching his leg and the physios will have to come on to tend to him. After a bit of work, the Villains' captain is back on the pitch.

27'

CHANCE! Grealish runs past three Fulham defenders and slides a pass to McGinn, who finds Trezeguet out wide. Villa's winger feigns one way and goes the other before whipping in a low right-footed cross which is just out of the reach of Watkins at the back post.

25'

Odoi returns the favour on Grealish as the defender drags the new England debutant to the floor. This game is starting to get a bit scrappy after Villa's excellent start.

23'

Cairney cynically stops McGinn from starting a counter-attack and is rightfully booked for his efforts.

21'

Grealish and Odoi exchange a few verbals after a needless - but accidental - foul by the Villa captain.

20'

A great flick from Cavaleiro nearly releases Bryan down the line, however, Cash smartly steps in and wins the foul for Villa in his own half.

18'

Grealish is brought down by Zambo Anguissa as he tries to advance towards Fulham's area. Villa will have another good chance to test Areola from 30 yards out.

17'

Four of McGinn's seven goal involvements in the Premier League have come in London (v Fulham, West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs).

15'

McGinn's second assist of the game comes as he plays the slightest of touches to roll in Hourihane in the penalty area.

15'

GOALLLL! 2-0 VILLA! Hourihane finishes off an intricate Villa move to add the visitors' second. Watkins and Grealish initially linked up well to find McGinn, who plays the deftest of touches to tee up Hourihane to slot in from close range with his right foot.

14'

Hourihane crosses in a free-kick from deep which Areola claims assertively. Fulham look to launch a counter-attack through Tete but the full-back's cross is too deep for Mitrovic at the back post.

13'

Grealish's goal in the 4th minute is the earliest goal Villa have scored away from home in the Premier League since Christian Benteke against Everton in February 2013 (2nd minute).

12'

CHANCE! Tete races towards the byline and swings in a right-footed cross towards Mitrovic on the penalty spot. The striker wins the aerial challenge but can only direct his header in to the palms of Martinez from close range.

11'

Decordova-Reid is also booked at the same time as Targett for showing dissent.

11'

Targett is booked for a late challenge on Tete near the touchline. Referee Attwell had initially played advantage before coming back to book the full-back.

9'

A chance nearly breaks for Decordova-Reid but his touch lets him down and the ball trickles out for a Villa goal-kick.

8'

Cavaleiro and Bryan have multiple attempts at crossing in to the box, however, they are repeatedly denied by the combination of Mings and Konsa in the Villa area.

6'

Many assumed before the game that Ream would be sitting in midfield with Zambo Anguissa but it appears that Fulham are in fact playing three at the back, with Cairney and Zambo Anguissa acting as the holding midfielders.

4'

McGinn clips a lovely curled pass with his left foot in to Grealish in Fulham's area.

4'

GOALLLLL!!!!!! 1-0 VILLA! Grealish latches on to McGinn’s chipped pass - and with Areola advancing - passes the ball past the goalkeeper and in to back of the net from inside the penalty area.

3'

Watkins cushions the ball down to McGinn but the Scot's shot is then blocked before it can trouble Areola's goal.

1'

Referee Stuart Attwell blows his whistle to signal the start of the game.

-

The players are making their way out on to the Craven Cottage turf and shortly the game will be underway.

-

The Villains will see this fixture as a perfect opportunity to amend their poor form in the capital. They have earned just one point from their last 30 available in top-flight fixtures in London (D1 L9), since beating Tottenham 1-0 in 2015.

-

Despite scoring in the EFL Cup in midweek, there is no room for Traore to make his top-flight debut for Villa as Smith opts to go with the same eleven that defeated Sheffield United.

-

Scott Parker makes three changes to the side that lost 4-3 to Leeds. Club captain Cairney returns along with Ream and Decordova-Reid, while Kamara, Harrison Reed and Onomah are the trio to drop out.

-

SUBS: Jed Steer, Kortney Hause, Ahmed El Mohamady, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Ramsey, Bertrand Traore, Keinan Davis.

-

ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Matt Targett, Tyrone Mings, Matthew Cash, Ezri Konsa Ngoyo; Douglas Luiz, Conor Hourihane, John McGinn; Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins, Trezeguet.

-

SUBS: Anthony Knockaert, Josh Onomah, Marek Rodak, Antonee Robinson, Aboubakar Kamara, Maxime Le Marchand, Neeskens Kebano.

-

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Alphonse Areola; Denis Odoi, Joe Bryan, Michael Hector, Kenny Tete; Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Tim Ream; Ivan Cavaleiro, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Tom Cairney; Aleksandar Mitrovic.

-

The hosts come in to this game still in search of their first points of the season, following their successive losses against Arsenal and Leeds. In contrast, Dean Smith’s side will travel to Craven Cottage in good spirits, after defeating Sheffield United 1-0 in their opening fixture.

-

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League fixture between Fulham and Aston Villa.

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