Fulham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as hosts clinch victory over Cottagers
Follow all the action from Craven Cottage
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Palhinha makes a strong challenge on Tielemans and Villa will now have an opportunity from a free-kick just outside the box. Bailey and Luiz are standing over it, and it's in a really dangerous position. Bailey strikes it and it goes through the wall, but he fails to hit the target and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Villa have a chance to counter-attack as Luiz drives forward with the ball. He finds Bailey on the right-hand side, who checks back onto his left foot and delivers, but Ream heads away. It eventually comes back to Bailey and he looks to take on Robinson, but the Fulham defender does well to dispossess the Villa winger.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Iwobi finds Robinson on the left-hand side and he sends a first-time delivery into the penalty area. It deflects off Cash and into the box, but the referee blows for a free-kick. Cash was adjudged to have handled the ball. Cairney and Pereira are standing over it and the latter delivers, but it's a poor cross and Aston Villa can clear.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Chance for Fulham! A delivery into the box from Pereira finds Iwobi who is unmarked. He takes a touch and lays it to De Cordova-Reid who strikes, but Cash is there to block it. It falls to Cairney who attempts an acrobatic effort, but Lenglet flings himself in front of the shot and makes the block. Shortly after, the assistant referee raises his flag, so it wouldn't have counted.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Cairney finds Castagne on the right-hand side with a lovely pass into his feet. The Fulham full-back stands up his marker, before turning back and feeding Pereira. He sends a whipped cross into the penalty area, but Martinez rushes off his line well to intercept and make the catch.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
There's been a collision inside the Aston Villa penalty area, with Cash and Martinez running into each other after Pereira sent a searching ball beyond the defence, hoping to find the run of Muniz. It didn't take too long for the duo to get back to their feet, and play resumes.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa get the second half under way at Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Substitution Willian Borges da Silva Alexander Chuka Iwobi
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Silva won't be happy with how sloppy his side have been on the ball in the first half. On multiple occasions, Villa have pressed and won the ball back with ease, leading to multiple chances in the opening 45 minutes. Villa's only goal came from a disappointing throw-in from Robinson, with Willian unable to get the ball under control. The home side have been pushing to find an equaliser, but they've managed to create just 0.36 expected goals (xG) in the game so far. Fulham have plenty of options from the bench to turn things around, so could we see Iwobi, Traore, or Wilson early in the second half?
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