Youri Tielemans’ first-half header proved decisive as Aston Villa edged past Fulham 1-0 at Villa Park to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
The Belgian midfielder, who was the standout performer on the pitch, rose highest to meet John McGinn’s 12th-minute corner and powered a header past Bernd Leno, giving Unai Emery’s side a vital early lead.
The victory moved Villa level on 60 points with both Nottingham Forest and Chelsea ahead of their weekend fixtures, as the battle for a top-five Premier League finish intensifies. A top-five position could secure Champions League football next season, depending on England’s UEFA coefficient.
Villa had the chance to double their advantage just seconds after the restart, but Ollie Watkins squandered a golden opportunity, failing to connect with Matty Cash’s pinpoint cross.
The missed chance almost proved costly minutes later when Ryan Sessegnon found the net for Fulham, only for his effort to be ruled out for handball in the buildup, correctly spotted by VAR.
Fulham, who had a goal disallowed and tested Villa late on, saw their hopes of European qualification take a hit. They remain in contention for eighth place, which could offer a route into the Europa Conference League.
Referee Rob Jones came under criticism for a stop-start officiating display that disrupted the game’s rhythm, notably awarding a goal kick rather than a corner after Leno tipped a Tielemans long-range strike just wide before halftime.
Despite their dominance in the opening half, Villa struggled to create further clear-cut chances and had to endure a nervy finish. However, they held firm, earning a crucial three points as the race for European spots reaches its climax in the coming weeks.
