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
Aston Villa go into the break with a 1-0 lead over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Despite there being just the one goal in the first half, it's been an action-packed game so far. Emery's side thought they'd opened the scoring after a few minutes as Watkins slotted home from a Tielemans throughball, but the assistant referee had his flag up. The Cottagers also had their own goal disallowed as Ream pounced in the box, but the American defender went too early and was offside. Villa then opened the scoring, and this time it counted, with Watkins finishing into the bottom corner after Ramsey had won the ball from Willian just outside the box. That wasn't the end of the action, however, as Moreno powered a header into the back of the net, but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was disallowed.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Watkins dispossesses Palhinha just inside the Fulham half and Aston Villa have an opportunity to break in numbers. Watkins drives with the ball through the middle and he has Tielemans making a burst run to his right. He feeds the Belgian midfielder inside the box and he looks to slot it under Leno, but the Fulham goalkeeper makes a superb stop to deny him.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
The Fulham faithful are appealing for another penalty, but once again, the referee waves away their protests! A searching ball over the Aston Villa defence found De Cordova-Reid, who latched on to the pass and charged towards goal. Torres came rushing across and barged the attacker to ground, but the referee wasn't having any of it.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
The fourth official has indicated that there will be a minimum of seven minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
So close to an equaliser! Fulham had an opportunity from a corner and Pereira whipped a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Muniz leapt above the Villa defence to win the header, sending it towards goal, but his effort whistled past the post with Martinez scrambling across his line. It was inches away from being a goal!
Fulham vs Aston Villa
There was a lengthy check for the Moreno goal, but VAR decided that the Aston Villa defender was just offside. It was tight, but the officials eventually came to the right decision. It would have been a disappointing moment for the Cottagers to concede once again just before half-time.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Villa have the ball in the net... but once again, it's offside! Emery's side won a corner and Luiz was the player to take. He whipped it towards the front post and Watkins was there to win the flick-on. It fell to Moreno who had made a run towards the back post, and he headed into the back of the net. But wait... VAR is checking it. The original decision stands. NO GOAL!
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Palhinha switches play and Fulham look to counter-attack. Willian receives the ball and finds Robinson, who twists and turns before returning it to the Brazilian. Willian gets it out of his feet and whips a delivery into the penalty area. Muniz rises above his marker and heads towards goal, but Martinez holds it comfortably between the sticks.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Watkins goes down under the challenge of Diop and looks in some discomfort on the floor. He appears to be struggling and the medical team are on the pitch. After a few minutes, the English striker hobbles to the side of the pitch, but it looks as though he should be able to continue.
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