Follow live coverage as Fulham face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola’s side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United’s latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year – yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it’s Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Fulham vs Aston Villa
FULHAM PENALTY? When a long ball over from the right picks out Jimenez in Villa’s area, the striker tries to nod it down for a team-mate. However, Cash extends an arm and seems to handle it. The referee doesn’t point to the spot, but the VAR then sends him over to the pitchside monitor for a review!
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Following a frantic opening period, the game has settled into a more pedestrian rhythm over the past few minutes, with neither side dominating possession.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Turning around their prior fortunes quite substantially, Villa have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games in London. Their eight wins in that time – all under Emery – are as many as they achieved throughout 48 previous top-flight matches in the English capital. Can they continue in that vein today?
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa are edging the possession share, with 51% to Fulham’s 49% – but the home side have had four shots compared to Villa’s three so far. It’s been a bright, open contest between two well-matched teams.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Tielemans flicks a ball through the middle for Watkins, who hares onto the ball just outside Fulham’s area. His heavy first touch allows Leno to sprint out and close down the angle, and the German goalkeeper makes a smart save.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
A cross from deep is guided behind by Bassey, so Aston Villa have a second successive corner. Leno comes out to comfortably claim it, though, before sending Fulham away on a rapid counter-attack. It comes to nothing this time, but the hosts have looked dangerous on the break.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Putting Fulham on the back foot again, Rogers drives inside from the right and beats Berge; however, his near-post shot flashes wide of the target by a couple of feet – Leno dives down to watch it to safety.