Aston Villa secured their first Premier League victory of the 2025/26 season with a 3-1 comeback win against Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday. After a challenging start to the campaign, with two losses and three draws, Unai Emery's side finally found their footing in a match that initially threatened to extend their winless streak.
Fulham took an early lead when Raúl Jiménez headed in a Sasa Lukic corner in just the third minute. The visitors dominated the opening stages, and had strong penalty appeals turned down. However, Villa gradually fought their way back into the game. Ollie Watkins, who had been enduring an 11-game scoring drought, leveled the score in the 37th minute with a lobbed finish over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The second half saw Aston Villa take control with two goals in quick succession. John McGinn put Villa ahead in the 50th minute with a low, swerving shot from outside the box. Just two minutes later, Emiliano Buendia extended the lead, firing in from close range after a Watkins cross. Those two goals in two minutes proved decisive, turning the game firmly in Villa's favor.
The victory was a welcome relief for Unai Emery, whose team had been struggling to find consistency despite his previous success in leading them to Champions League qualification and Europa League contention. The win lifts Aston Villa to 16th in the Premier League table, while Fulham drop to 10th.
Several factors contributed to Villa's turnaround. Watkins' return to scoring form was crucial, as his goal not only ended his personal drought but also sparked the team's comeback. McGinn's leadership and Buendia's attacking presence also proved vital in securing the win. A change in formation also played a role.
Despite Fulham's promising start, they were unable to respond after conceding the equalizer. The injury to Jiménez early in the match also disrupted their rhythm.
Overall, it was a significant win for Aston Villa, demonstrating their resilience and attacking quality. The result should provide a platform for them to build momentum and climb further up the Premier League table.
