Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Fulham today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 1 - 0 Fulham FC
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:12Yellow Card Adama Traoré Diarra
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:36Bouncing back from successive defeats, Aston Villa return to winning ways against a flat Fulham side, edging to a tense 1-0 win at Villa Park. Taking them level with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table, Unai Emery's men claim three points thanks to an early Tielemans header that ultimately separates the sides. Leno and Martinez both made a handful of saves, Watkins missed two chances, and Malen struck the crossbar late on, but it was far from a classic contest. Villa's final xG of 0.86, compared to Fulham's 0.71, sums up a lack of precision across the final third, but the home team pull nine points clear of their visitors and are still in the hunt for a cherished top-five finish. While Marco Silva's side host Everton next week - when they could trail Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth - in the race for European qualification, Villa visit the latter in seven days time. That's all from Birmingham today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:28FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 FULHAM
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:26Fulham are forcing Aston Villa back now, trying to engineer one last opening. The hosts are keeping compact, though, and they can surely sense the finish line.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:24OFF THE BAR! Malen strikes the woodwork late on! Played through by Ramsey, the substitute striker holds off Andersen and drives his shot towards the target, but it rattles back off the crossbar! That was so close to sealing victory for Villa!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:22Summing up Fulham's attacking efforts today, Andersen pumps an angled cross from the right straight out of play, over the left byline. Of course, Martinez will be in no hurry to take the subsequent goal-kick.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:21There will be at least eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of this second half, and Onana is left down on the pitch during the first. He was caught in an aerial challenge by Jimenez, who then appeals his innocence - and is right to do so.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:20Set up by Adama Traore's pass inside from the right, fellow sub Smith Rowe prods a hopeful attempt several yards wide of the left-hand post. Can Fulham carve out one more chance to salvage something from this game?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:17Meeting the dropping ball, following a Jimenez header, Traore skews a tough volley over the crossbar. It was asking a lot to control that shot, but Fulham have to go for everything now.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:16Bassey is left on the turf with an injury, and Marco Silva's complaints earn the Fulham boss a yellow card. The game eventually resumes, with Bassey cleared to continue.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:16Fulham are effectively playing with 10 men, as substitute Reed has been forced to hobble off with what seems to be a calf injury. Malen tries to take advantage, but after a lung-busting run forward he hammers a 20-yard shot high over the top.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:12Ending another display of midfield mastery, goalscorer Tielemans departs. Barkley will replace him.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:12Advancing forward from midfield, Tielemans narrowly fails to latch onto a throughball by Malen, who has dropped deep. One more goal would wrap up victory for Aston Villa, but Fulham are still in this while it stays at 1-0.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:09With Cash back in action, Villa go on the attack. Leno does well to intervene when Malen tries to reach a low Rogers cross from the right, smothering the ball inside his six-yard box.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:09After making a brave block to stop Andersen taking a shot inside the six-yard box, Cash stays down on the turf. He'll require medical treatment, for what looks like a knee injury.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:09Fulham make their final changes: first, Berge is replaced by Reed.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:05With under 20 minutes to go, Fulham's chances of avoiding defeat stand at just 19% according to Opta's live win predictor. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have an 81% chance of wrapping up three precious points. Still, it's an anxious atmosphere inside Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:03Substitution Alexander Chuka Iwobi Willian Borges da Silva
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Emery makes more substitutions. First, he reverses his sole change to Villa's starting XI, as Digne replaces Maatsen at left-back.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Watkins and Ramsey combine on the right flank, but the latter's dangerous cross is not cleanly met by Pau Torres at the back post - he couldn't quite get his feet right.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01After a long build-up, Tielemans finally takes a free-kick from just over 20 yards out. Whatever he had planned doesn't work out, as he passes straight into Fulham's defensive wall.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Substitution Oliver George Arthur Watkins Donyell Malen
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Having missed a couple of decent chances, Wilson also departs. Ex-Villa winger Adama Traore is his replacement - he'll add a more direct threat.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Fulham now make two further changes. First, Castagne comes on for Tete at full-back.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:00For sweeping away the standing leg of Tielemans, Berge picks up a booking.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:58SAVE! Mistiming his jump, Wilson fails to fully connect with a header inside Villa's box, steering it straight at the well placed Martinez! That was more than a half-chance to draw Fulham level.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:56Ramsey drives up the left flank before cutting the ball back for Maatsen. The latter then lets fly with a first-time attempt, which flies high over the right side of Leno's goal. The hosts are intent on getting that all-important second goal.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:52SAVE! From the right side of the box, Watkins shoots hard and low, but his strike is repelled by Leno's leg. That was another good chance for the England striker to extend Villa's lead, but it goes to waste!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:50Substitution John McGinn Amadou Ba Zeund Georges Mvom Onana
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:48Substitution Marco Asensio Willemsen Jacob Matthew Ramsey
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:48Yellow Card Calvin Chinedu Bassey
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:48Marco Silva moves first, replacing a tiring Sessegnon with Smith Rowe. That could see Wilson switch out wide to the right flank.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:48Lukic clips Cash near the touchline, offering McGinn a chance to deliver the ball into Fulham's box from a free-kick. However, it ultimately sails high over a packed penalty area and drifts away from any danger.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:45Fulham make two clearances from inside their own area, as Aston Villa try to maintain pressure. After the second, Iwobi picks up possession out wide on the right, and his delicious delivery is poked straight at Martinez by Wilson, at full stretch.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:41GOAL RULED OUT! Having chested the ball down into his own path, Sessegnon sweeps a shot into the bottom-right corner and wheels away to celebrate. However, those celebrations are cut short, as he clearly caught the ball with his hand before guiding it home. The VAR check quickly confirms the referee's call.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:40Yellow Card Kenny Joelle Tete
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:40After surging forward from midfield, Rogers places a tame low shot several feet wide of the left-hand post. He's not been at his brilliant best today.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:38In a promising sign that this game could open up, Fulham throw men forward in attack. Tete stands up a cross for Jimenez, whose nod-down tees up Lukic near the penalty spot, but the latter's shot is charged down by a claret-and-blue shirt.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:37MISS! Watkins spurns a great chance to put Aston Villa 2-0 up! A superb low cross from the right by Cash cuts through Fulham's defence, but Villa's star striker allows the ball to run under his boot when left free, six yards out. It's a lucky escape for the Cottagers!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:35Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:32Still being chased by Bournemouth and Brentford, there's no doubt that Fulham could do with taking at least one point from this game. Their record Premier League tally is 53, when they finished seventh under Roy Hodgson in 2009, so a comeback win would surpass that mark with three games remaining. However, it'll surely require more commitment to attack after the break.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:28Martinez has his palms stung by an angled drive from Iwobi, who lashes towards the target from 20 yards out. It's been a quiet shift for Villa's goalkeeper, but he was ready when needed.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:24In a fairly tepid Premier League contest at Villa Park, European hopefuls Aston Villa and Fulham are split by an early Tielemans header, which sees the hosts leading 1-0 at half-time. The Belgian midfielder met McGinn's corner-kick to power Villa in front, but further chances were few and far between, as Fulham ended with an xG of 0.18 to the home side's 0.12. There have been only two shots on target, though Tielemans went close to extending Villa's advantage shortly before the break, in a game marked by caution - and surely some tension.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:20HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 FULHAM
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:19SAVE! Leno gets his fingertips on a superb strike by Tielemans, who takes a crack from the edge of the box. The ball is apparently bound for the top-right corner, but Fulham's 'keeper makes a fine stop! Strangely, the officials then award a goal-kick.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:18Played in by Iwobi, an ambitious Jimenez decides to let fly from a wide angle, around 25 yards out. His shot spirals high and wide - that was taken more in hope than expectation.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:16Though they are in front - and have barely been troubled by a flat Fulham side - it has been more than half an hour since Aston Villa last attempted a shot. This is not classic stuff at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:14After Pau Torres concedes a free-kick after being drawn out wide, Wilson and Lukic stand over the set-piece. It's the latter who ultimately takes it, but his delivery is cut out by the first man. Fulham are missing their dead-ball specialist Andreas Pereira.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:12Starved of opportunities to shine so far, Rogers skips away from two defenders and gets the fans out of their seats, but his low throughball lacks accuracy and drifts straight through to Leno.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:11Fulham are following precedent, as the London club have won just once in their last 20 attempts to claim victory at Villa Park. They've lost 12 times along the way, and another defeat now would surely end hopes of matching their best-ever Premier League finish, seventh place.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:08Lukic sends a 30-yard free-kick across Villa's box, and space opens up for Jimenez at the back post. Having edged away from Cash, he then slips over and fails to make contact, so it zips behind for a goal-kick to the hosts.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:05Still trailing by just one at Villa Park, Fulham will still have hope of turning this game around. Only Liverpool (22) and Man City (20) have gained more Premier League points from losing positions than the Cottagers (18) this season.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:03Having been caught on the knee by a stray boot from Pau Torres, Wilson hobbles away. For a moment, it seems that the Welsh winger's in some injury trouble, but ultimately he's fine to carry on.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:02Yellow Card Kouassi Ryan Sessegnon
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:02Approaching the half-hour mark, Aston Villa are keeping possession in midfield, hoping to draw Fulham out and create some space behind. Kamara and Tielemans are pulling the strings.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:00A lively presence so far, Sessegnon steals the ball from Rogers and sparks a Fulham counter-attack. However, Iwobi's cross from the left is cleared away by the first defender, then Cash shuts out Robinson near the box.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:58Villa eventually get Wilson's delivery away from danger, following a Fulham corner-kick. Marco Silva must be frustrated with his side so far, as this is a vital game in terms of qualifying for Europe.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:56This season, Aston Villa have a record of six wins, two draws and no defeats when scoring the opening goal at home in the Premier League. So, it's no surprise that Opta's live win predictor gives them a 70% chance of going on to claim maximum points today. Fulham have just an 11% chance, as things stand.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:55Leno is quickly off his line, sprinting out to collect an incisive throughball by Villa playmaker Tielemans, with Watkins lurking nearby. It's sharp work from the ever-present German goalkeeper.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:52Too keen to retrieve the ball, Lukic bundles Kamara over in midfield, gifting Aston Villa a free-kick. So far, Fulham have struggled to get to grips with their hosts - they've yet to record an attempt on target.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:50Not renowned for his aerial prowess, Tielemans has now netted three headers this season. With 10 goal involvements overall, that's his joint-most in a single Premier League campaign.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:49Tete is toppled in the Villa box, as he attempts to reach an overhit corner-kick from the right. It was just a collision, though, so he doesn't appeal for a penalty. Having fallen behind at Villa Park yet again, can Fulham find a quick leveller?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:46GOAL!!! VILLA LEAD 1-0! Meeting McGinn's corner-kick from the right, Tielemans leaps above Wilson and powers a 10-yard header past Leno! The ball nestles in the right side of the net, and Aston Villa take an early lead! The hosts have their reward for a bright start!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:46After Fulham flash a dangerous cross along the six-yard box, Villa quickly counter. When Asensio is slipped through on the right, his attempted delivery is blocked behind for another corner.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:46Assist John McGinn
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:44So far, Aston Villa have had a 57% share of possession, restricting Fulham to just three entries into the final third. It's a calm and controlled start, as Emery's men aim to stop their season ending on a down note.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:41Asensio takes a corner-kick from the left, playing it short before receiving the ball back from Tielemans. His cross from a more advantageous angle then picks out Watkins, who can't quite rise high enough and fails to control his header.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:39After a moment of concern, Asensio is able to return to his feet, following a crunching midfield challenge by Robinson. The Fulham full-back is perhaps a little lucky to avoid being booked.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:38Persistent work by Watkins seems to have won Villa their first corner, but Tete cleverly manages to halt his opponent's progress and earn a goal-kick. Moments later, the hosts do earn a first corner, but McGinn's tame inswinger is easily headed away at the near post.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:35After a long build-up from the back, Villa mount the game's first attack, as Rogers tries to flick a lofted ball into the box. However, Bassey is alert to the danger, guiding it away towards a Fulham team-mate.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:33Fulham kick off, and we are under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:28Both teams are out on the pitch at Villa Park, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:23Meanwhile, Fulham make a couple of changes to their starting XI: Lukic replaces Andreas Pereira, who fails to make the squad, and Robinson returns from injury to start at left-back, replacing Brazilian winger Willian. That will see Sessegnon shift forward into the visitors’ attack.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:18Emery opts for just a single change to the Aston Villa side that started last week's Wembley defeat, as Digne makes way for Maatsen at left-back. Rashford is ruled out with a hamstring injury that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the season; so Watkins starts up front, having scored in his last three games against Fulham. In midfield, captain McGinn makes his 200th Premier League appearance.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:18SUBS: Steven Benda, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Carlos Vinicius, Jorge Cuenca, Timothy Castagne, Willian, Emile Smith Rowe.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:18FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Ryan Sessegnon, Harry Wilson, Alex Iwobi; Raul Jimenez.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:13SUBS: Robin Olsen, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Lucas Digne, Andres Garcia, Donyell Malen, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:13ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans; Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:08Still in the mix for European qualification, Fulham can move within three points of Villa with a win, but recent history suggests that may prove a tough task. The Cottagers have lost the teams’ last four meetings, as well as coming away empty-handed from all of their last five league visits to Villa Park. Marco Silva’s men sit eighth in the table, but inconsistency has stopped them climbing higher: none of their last 14 matches has ended level, with last week’s late win over Southampton making it seven wins and seven defeats.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:08After exiting the Champions League and suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in last week’s FA Cup semi-finals, Aston Villa’s season rests on their Premier League run-in. Hopes of returning to Europe’s top competition were hit by a last-gasp loss at Manchester City in their last league outing, but the Birmingham club are back on home turf today. Unbeaten in 16 top-flight games at Villa Park, they can move level with their record - also set under Unai Emery in 2023 - by avoiding defeat today.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:02Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Fulham at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
10:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
