On the brink: Steven Gerrard
(Picture: PA)Fulham made easy work of an Aston Villa side in self-destruct mode to leave beleaguered opposition manager Steven Gerrard seemingly on the brink of the sack.
Willian and Andreas Pereira ran the show in west London against the struggling Midlands side, who scored an own goal, conceded a penalty and had a player sent off.
Harrison Reed opened the scoring in the 37th minute for only his second-ever goal for the club, in 114 games, after capitalising on Emiliano Martinez’s poor clearance to curl it across the keeper into the far corner.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was wasteful in front of goal from open play - missing two headers from set pieces and blazing a shot over early in the second half - but was the centre of a match-deciding six-minute spell around the hour mark.
First, he was the target of a brainless headbutt from Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz. Referee Michael Oliver consulted VAR and the pitch-side screen before sending off the one-time Arsenal target.
Mitrovic was then handed the chance to score from the spot after Matty Cash handled the ball inside the penalty area. The 28-year-old stepped up to score his eighth goal of the season and is now only behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the Premier League golden boot race.
There was still time for more Villa misery as Neeskens Kabano's skilful dribble found space for a fizzing cross which was turned into his own goal by Tyrone Mings as the away support sang ‘You’ll Never Work Again’ to their manager and former Liverpool captain.
It was Fulham’s first clean sheet since August, and one which was truly never under threat beyond a spilt Ollie Watkins shot, while up the other end Marco Silva’s players responded to their manager’s demand for more attacking threat given Mitrovic’s recent fitness niggles.
Summer signings Willian and Andreas stepped up, driving the team’s creative engine and were unlucky not to be credited with direct goal involvements.
The result sends Fulham to a remarkably ninth in the Premier League table, as Villa are left teetering precariously above the relegation zone.
