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 Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland 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 3 - 1 Fulham FC
Aston Villa vs Fulham
16:04Madley blows his whistle for one final time and Villa get a check in the win column at the sixth time of asking with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Villa Park! Fulham made a fantastic start when Jimenez nodded home in just the third minute but Watkins' first goal of the season changed the complexion of this fixture. But it was a two-minute salvo in the early stages of the second half that took the game away from Fulham, with captain fantastic McGinn firing home before Buendia - on at half-time from the bench - finished from close range. The loss of Jimenez to injury not long after his goal certainly hurt Fulham, who also saw a couple of penalty shouts rejected in the first half. The upshot is, though, that Villa move up to 16th in the Premier League and will have designs on getting back into the European conversation, while Fulham - whose xG of 0.90 was lower than Villa's 1.40 - sit 10th. Thanks for joining us folks, until next time!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
16:01FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 3-1 FULHAM
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:59Fulham win a corner this time thanks to good work from Robinson. But again, it's an overhit delivery and it's an absolute waste of an opportunity from Kevin.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:57Chukwueze winns a free-kick for Fulham on the right flank. Lukic over delivers and it's a complete waste for the visitors.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:55There will be six minutes of added on time in this game.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:55Into the final minute we go then and this one is petering out with Fulham unable to penetrate Villa's defence.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:51Fulham win a corner, with Kevin's delivery headed clear. He gets a second crack at it but once again it comes to nothing.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:51Time really is running out now as Villa close on what will be a much-welcome three points to kick-start their season. Can Fulham put one final twist in this Sunday tale?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:48And Malen comes on for the closing stages too, with Guessand headed to the dugout.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:48Emery also looks to the bench as he tries to close this game out as Lindelof shakes the hand of Bogarde.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:46And Wilson is also done for the day as Chukwueze enters the fray.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:46Silva makes two more rolls of the dice as we reach the final stages at Villa Park. Sessegnon has been lively but he takes a seat for Robinson.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:44Fulham are probing here and Digne has to concede a corner from Sessegnon's deep cross. Wilson's delivery is poor, though, and Martinez makes the easy catch.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:42Rogers has created three chances in this game, his most since the May 3 last season against Fulham (also three).
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:40Good intervention from Kamara! Kevin's pace is causing some food for thought and he sets Sessegnon free. His cross is heading towards Smith Rowe but Kamara gets back to divert it back to Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:37Villa skipper McGinn takes a seat after an excellent contribution. Kamara takes his place in the centre of the park.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:37There's around 20 minutes left to play then. If Fulham are going to find a way back into this contest, they're going to have to do it quickly.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:34Rogers and Buendia attempt to play a one-two on the edge of the box but it's just a little overdone and the ball rolls through to Leno.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:32Villa play themselves out of a bit of bother and try to break forward but have to revert back when their path is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:30And King, who was excellent in the opening period, takes a seat as Smith Rowe enters the fray.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:30Fulham are making a double substitution here, the first of which sees Iwobi replaced by Kevin.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:30Villa are attempting to turn the screw and Buendia, who has made a real difference, shoots well over from distance on the spin.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:27Silva has lost six of his seven Premier League matches against Aston Villa (L1 with Everton, W1 L5 with Fulham). This is the highest loss percentage (86%) of any manager to face Villa five or more times in the competition. Is that statistic about to get even worse?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:25THIS GAME IS BREATHLESS NOW! At one end, Watkins thinks he should have a penalty after clumsy work from Andersen but it does look as though he kicks the floor. At the other, Martinez carelessly gives the ball to Iwobi, who plays in Lukic and his side-footed effort is cleared off the line by the brilliant Konsa! Fulham's follow-up corner comes to nothing...and breathe!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:24Madley blows his whistle for the final time in this half, then, and Aston Villa and Fulham are level at 1-1 at the break. Jimenez nodded Fulham into a very early lead as Villa were caught cold from Lukic's free-kick but the Mexico striker later went off injured. Fulham saw a couple of penalty shouts rightly waved away before Villa dragged themselves back into the game when Watkins raced onto Digne's long punt and clipped over Leno to end a run of seven Premier League games without a goal.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:25VAR are just checking a foul from Castagne on Digne. It does look like he might have caught him, but VAR has seemingly cleared the Belgium full-back.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:23Just like his manager, Wilson talks his way into a booking from Madley. He wasn't happy about not receiving a free-kick.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:23Traore does well on the left-hand channel to swing a good-looking cross into the area that King flicks goalwards, but it's straight at Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:23Is this the game that sparks life into Villa's Premier League season? It was an abysmal start but that goal from Watkins before the break breathed life into the home fans and this electric start to the second period has left Fulham shellshocked.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:22There's another short break here as Bassey and Watkins tangle and need a quick bit of treatment from the physios. Both are fine, though.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:21McGinn escapes the attention of Bassey, who brings the Villa man to ground and receives the yellow card.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:19Rogers is credited with the assist but the ball merely flicked off him, he had no idea about it.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:18There was just one minute and 43 seconds between those goals and Villa have taken complete control of this game!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:18GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL! THAT COULD BE ALL SHE WROTE! BUENDIA MAKES IT 3-1. Digne plays it into Watkins down the left of the area, his cross deflects into the path of Buendia, who applies the finish from inside the six-yard box! A quick VAR check and the goal stands! Some introduction for Buendia, an assist and a goal!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:15Buendia is credited with the assist as he made the final pass to McGinn, but it was all about the Scotland ace's finish in truth.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:15GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! MCGINN WITH A BEAUTY! Oh, it opens up for the Scotland midfielder, who absolutely laces one with his left foot into the bottom-left corner! Villa have turned his game around and they now lead 2-1!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:15Villa are pressing high in the Fulham half early in the second period, can they find a way through?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:11Madley blows his whistle and we are back underway at VIlla Park!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
15:10Emery is looking to the bench at half-time as Elliott is replaced by Buendia.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:58Villa are slightly ahead of Fulham in terms of xG (0.60 to 0.45) but there really is very little between the two teams. Can Villa go on to earn a first top-flight win of the campaign? Or can Fulham make it three straight wins? Stick with us to find out what happens in the second half.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:55HALF-TIME: FULHAM 1-1 ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:54Lukic fells Guessand around 25 yards from goal and it's in an inviting position for the hosts. Digne wins the battle of six (yes SIX!) Villa players to get the nod for the free-kick. It's on target, but Leno springs across to make the simple hold.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:52Torres has to clear Sessegnon's left-wing cross behind for a corner. Wilson takes the out-swinger but it's poorly executed.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:50McGinn is now also caution for clipping Berge in the centre of the park.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:49Lukic does well down the left then picks out Wilson, who can't quite dig it out with the outside of his boot from just inside the area and his effort clears the right-hand post.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:48Fulham boss Silva is booked by Madley after giving a few too many verbals to the referee after Wilson was denied a free-kick.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:46There will be eight minutes of injury time played at the end of this first half.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:43It will be interesting to see what goal does. Fulham were full of swagger, while Villa were a little ragged. But goals change games.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:41Boy did Villa need that and boy did Watkins need that. It was a finish of a man in much more confident form than he's been. And it completely changes the context of this match as we close on half-time.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:39It was great vision from Digne who pumped his pass forward from left-back and Watkins finished with aplomb.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:38GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL! WATKINS AT LAST!! Oh, it's been a while for the England man but he makes a sensational run to meet Digne's long punt forward after Andersen misjudges the flight. Watkins then manages to flick it over the top of Leno and into the back of the net. Villa are level at 1-1!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:37King sends Sessegnon darting down the left flank but his cross is mishit and Villa make the simple clearance.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:35Lukic clambers into Rogers, who was trying to dart away from his Fulham marker. It earns a yellow card from Madley.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:34More misery for Villa here as Mings has pulled up with an injury. Emery sends Torres on to replace him at centre-back.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:33Watkins has failed to score in his last seven Premier League appearances, his longest run without scoring since going eight games between April and August 2024. His per 90-minute data for shots (1.6), shots on target (0.4) and xG (0.22) are all his lowest in a single top-flight season.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:31HUGE CHANCE! Oh, that was soft by Bassey who plays a poor pass that McGinn pounces on. The Scotland midfielder drives into the area and bends wide of the left-hand post when he should, at a minimum, have hit the target. Really, he ought to have levelled this game. Fulham still lead 1-0.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:29Elliott is handed a full Premier League debut for Villa, while Martinez is back between the sticks after missing the Bologna victory, marking his first Villa Park outing since a move to Manchester United broke down in the transfer window. Mings, Bogarde, and Digne also return to the starting line-up for Emery's men. Jimenez starts up front for Fulham in place of Rodrigo Muniz, who is not in the squad at all. Castagne also returns to the Cottagers' XI in place of Kenny Tete.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:28ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash; Lamare Bogarde, John McGinn; Harvey Elliott, Morgan Rogers, Evann Guessand; Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:28It's been a fast-paced start to this game, with Fulham leading 1-0 and in the mood for a second. Villa have had some decent moments but they still look hugely out of sorts.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:26Vllla have endured a hugely disappointing start to their Premier League, losing two and drawing three of their opening five fixtures and leading head coach Unai Emery to suggest some of their play in last weekend's 1-1 draw with 10-man Sunderland was "lazy". The Villans did at least gain a bit of momentum by defeating Bologna 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday and they will be desperate to use that as a stepping stone to breathe life into their domestic form.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:26Lukic's first corner from that earlier handball shout is headed behind by Mings. He takes the second short and King's cross into the area is headed clear.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:25HUGE shouts for a penalty here. King has been tearing Villa apart and he finds a way into the area again. He gets a shot away and it clatters the arm of Cash. VAR takes a look but deems his arm was in a natural position.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:23King races through on goal and thinks he should have a penalty after knocking the ball past Martinez. Madley thinks the Fulham man is already on his way to ground, though, and dishes out a yellow card for simulation instead. That's two in as many weeks for simulation for King, now.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:22Aston Villa have failed to score in each of their last two home Premier League matches, last going three without a goal at Villa Park in January 2015. Villa last failed to score in their first three home league games in a season in 1969-70 in the second tier, while in the top flight they last did so in 1946-47.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:18Guessand wins Villa's first corner of the game up against Bassey on the right flank. McGinn swings it over, Elliott peels off the back post and his volley is cleared behind by Sessegnon. The second corner ends up in a free-kick to Fulham.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:16At one end, Cash delivers an inviting cross from the right that Leno does well to hold. At the other end, Wilson goes charging free one-on-one but clips wide of the right post. The flag eventually goes up for offside anyway, but it looked a tighter call than it first appeared.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:14King shows some lovely skill to deceive Bogarde on the left before driving into the area and shooting straight at Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:11Well, there's the change then and Silva has to reshuffle his pack as Jimenez is replaced by Traore.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:11There's a chance that Jimenez's injury was actually a result of scoring the opener for Fulham, whether in the act of scoring or celebrating it's unclear. Either way, he's certainly in a bit of discomfort, it's a concern for Silva.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:10There's a break in play here as goalscorer Jimenez requires treatment after an awkward fall. With Muniz out injured, Silva will be hoping his striker can recover okay here.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:09Villa try and get the ball across to Guessand a couple of times, the first results in a blocked cross, the second is a poor ball from Rogers. This is exactly the sort of start Unai Emery did not want from his side.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:06There was a quick VAR quick on that goal with Digne claiming he was manhandled in the area but nothing doing as Fulham's early advantage stands!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:05Lukic swung in a lovely corner from the left it has to be said and Jimenez did the rest.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:04GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! THEY CAN! FULHAM TAKE THE LEAD. That is far, far too easy for Fulham. Lukic swings in the corner from the left-hand side, Jimenez escapes his marker and flicks it into the far corner at the near post. Fulham lead Villa 1-0!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:04Sessegnon wins the first corner of the game as his clipped cross is blocked by Konsa. Can they make the most of the early opportunity?
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:01Referee Andy Madley blows his whistle and we are underway at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
14:00The players are out on the pitch and kick-off is fast approaching in this one!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:36FULHAM SUBS: Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Jorge Cuenca, Samuel Chukwueze, Kevin, Benjamin Lecomte, Emile Smith Rowe, Antonee Robinson
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:36FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Ryan Sessegnon, Calvin Bassey, Joachim Andersen, Timothy Castagne; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Alex Iwobi, Josh King, Harry Wilson; Raul Jimenez
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:36ASTON VILLA SUBS: Victor Lindelof, Emiliano Buendia, Pau Torres, Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen, Marco Bizot, Boubacar Kamara, Bradley Burrowes
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:30The Cottagers, meanwhile, have gone typically under the radar and sit ninth in the infant table with two wins, two draws, and just a solitary defeat. However, they have lost five on the spin against Villa in the league and seven of the last eight. Indeed, they have won just once in their past 21 visits to Villa Park - a record they will be out to improve upon here this afternoon.
Aston Villa vs Fulham
13:30Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Fulham at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Fulham
12:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
