Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Fulham for their first Premier League win of the season.
The England striker had not scored in his previous nine games, the joint-worst run of his Villa career, but his equaliser gave Villa the platform for victory.
John McGinn and substitute Emi Buendia – his first Villa goal for a year – scored twice in two minutes just after the break to put the game beyond Fulham.
Raul Jimenez’s header had given the visitors a third-minute lead but the striker was forced off injured soon after.
The Cottagers – who have won just one of their past 22 league games at Villa Park – faded after a strong start. That allowed Villa, who again looked poor for the majority of the first half, back into the game.
Ezri Konsa cleared off the line from Sasa Lukic as Fulham looked to recover from their nightmare start to the second half but by then Villa had taken control.
Villa analysis: Crucial win but still far from their best
Aston Villa desperately needed this victory.
Not that Unai Emery’s position is under threat but the narrative around their season was one of concern following five winless games.
More is expected of a club with European ambitions, and so the nature of Villa’s flat and listless performances had been a growing worry.
Three points against Fulham can now give Villa the springboard they craved as they travel to Feyenoord in the Europa League this week.
The visit of Burnley follows in the Premier League and, quickly, the horizon looks a little brighter – especially following Thursday’s narrow Europa League win over Bologna.
Not that this was Villa at their swashbuckling best – far from it. They ground it out after falling behind to Raul Jimenez’s header while there was also an element of Fulham allowing them a route back.
That Watkins also ended his goal drought, having gone nine games without scoring, removes another obstacle which had threatened to trip Villa up this season.
The striker, who struck 16 times in the Premier League last season, is so crucial to Villa’s hopes, having had little goalscoring back-up. His return to the scoresheet capped a satisfying, if not comprehensive, win.
[BBC]