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
Torres fires a pass into the feet of Ramsey beyond the Fulham midfield line in space, and he turns before feeding Moreno out wide. The Villa full-back looks to deliver a cross into the box, but it deflects behind for a corner. Luiz is standing over it and he whips it towards the middle, but Ream is there to head away from danger.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Fulham are pressing Villa high up the pitch in the early stages of the game, looking to win the ball back when Emery's side play out from the back. The Cottagers manage to do just that and Muniz receives the ball with his back to goal just outside the penalty area. He turns and gets a shot off, but it's a tame effort and Martinez gathers comfortably.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Tielemans turns in midfield and finds Bailey on the right-hand side of attack, and he has a chance to take on his marker. The Villa winger twists and turns as he looks to beat Robinson, but opts to go back and Emery's side recycle possession. The Cottagers managed to get back in numbers and Castagne wins a throw-in off Ramsey deep inside Fulham's half.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Villa have the ball in the net... but it won't count! Bailey played a first-time pass into Tielemans who had burst forward from midfield. The Belgian midfielder spotted the run of Watkins beyond the Fulham defence and slipped him in. With just Leno to beat, the Villa forward calmly places the ball into the bottom corner, but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Fulham get the game under way at Craven Cottage!
Fulham vs Aston Villa
The players are making their way out onto the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Meanwhile, Emery has made two alterations from Villa’s previous fixture against Manchester United due to injuries. Boubacar Kamara misses out and is set to for a lengthy spell on the treatment table, with Tielemans coming into the starting XI. Diego Carlos has also been ruled out due to injury, with Pau Torres given an opportunity from the start.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
After Fulham’s impressive victory over Bournemouth in their previous game, Silva has opted to name an unchanged side to face Aston Villa. Interestingly, Armando Broja fails to make the squad, leaving the Cottagers without a recognised striker on the bench. Iwobi returns to the squad after competing at the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers, Joe Gauci, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Robin Olsen, Morgan Rogers, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Alex Moreno, Clement Lenglet, Pau Torres, Matty Cash; Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans; Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Leon Bailey; Ollie Watkins.
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