One reason behind this could be Fulham’s cup victories over Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday plus, their spirited effort against Leeds last weekend. Jack Grealish gave Villa the lead when he latched on to John McGinn's chipped pass to volley under Alphonse Areola, and Conor Hourihane slotted into the bottom corner to round off an excellent passing move. You've got to commend the ref for playing advantage there. They average 2.1 goals in simulated victories vs just 0.6 in simulation losses. The full-back seems to be holding his calf. Defender, Position: League, 56 min, 4 min, 15 min, 48 min. 19:41, 28 SEP 2020; Updated 19:43, 28 SEP 2020; Fulham. But as good as they were, Fulham were an accident waiting to happen. Fulham host Aston Villa at Craven Cottage in the first game on Monday evening in the Premier League. It looks a long way back from here for Scott Parker's side who have once again decided to throw caution to the wind from the very first whistle. Denis Odoi is shown a yellow card after getting too tight to Jack Grealish. ASTON VILLA XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa Ngoyo, Mings, Targett, Hourihane, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Trézéguet, Watkins, Grealish. The opener arrived in the fourth minute. Defender Kenny Tete suffered a leg injury in the first-half was replaced by Aboubakar Kamara, Fulham defender Michael Hector tangles with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Aleksandar Mitrovic directs a header at goal despite pressure from Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash. Assistants: Simon Long, Neil Davies. Fulham, at least defensively, were dreadful. External Link, Villa secure narrow win over City in injury time We've seen enough, and are paying out on Fulham to get relegated. Mitrovic heads towards goal from Tete's right-wing cross, but his effort is easily held by Martinez. What are you backing in Liverpool v Arsenal tonight? 'Brilliant game management': West Ham fans praise David Moyes after masterminding sensational comeback at Spurs... but some joked he should have stayed away like when he was self-isolating when they conceded three inside the first 16 minutes! Stuart Attwell is then prompted to look at the pitchside monitor and spots Mitrovic has pulled down Konsa in the box. Konsa and Cash did just about enough to put off the Fulham forward. Villa make their final change seconds later, with Douglas Luiz making way for Marvelous Nakamba. Bright start by Fulham. Villa Park ... 1 Aston Villa Tue 21st Jul - 20.15pm English Premier League 0 Arsenal Tue 21st Jul - 20.15pm English Premier League. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford 'will NOT face retrospective action' for horror challenge on Virgil van Dijk... despite Liverpool's star defender all-but ruled out for the SEASON with ACL injury sustained in collision, 'My only regret is cheating on my wife': Robinho DENIES he's a rapist but admits he had 'contact' with his accuser in a Milan nightclub as he claims wiretapped calls were poorly translated after Santos suspended him just a week into his return to Brazil, Champions League and Europa League eye a return to the dramatic one-off last-eight format of the 2019-20 season... but TV contracts mean two-legged system will be in place for the next four seasons, He was disappointed, but he WAS partly to blame': Neil Warnock blasts Yannick Bolasie over failed deadline day switch to Middlesbrough after the Everton man took to Twitter to say he was 'willing to give up a lot' to move, Manchester United 'agree £14m first-refusal option with Sporting Lisbon for 16-year-old wonderkid Luis Gomes' as Old Trafford chiefs weigh up another raid on the Portuguese club, 'I told him I'll get him in the Euros squad': Aston Villa boss Dean Smith reveals promise he made to Ross Barkley... with on-loan Chelsea midfielder determined to gatecrash Gareth Southgate's squad next summer, 'The curse continues! Fulham came straight back down the following season while Aston Villa returned to Wembley to defeat Derby County. Matt Targett is shown a yellow card after a late challenge on Tete. Stuart Attwell decides to penalise Mitrovic for his penalty box wrestling. Subs: Steer, El Mohamdy, Hause, Davis. Bjorn Engels, Tom Heaton and Wesley are ruled out for Aston Villa, but Ezri Konsa has recovered from a hamstring strain and is available for selection. Yes for Both Teams to Score, with a percentage of 57%. That will provide Parker with sleepless nights. McGinn was denied the goal his display deserved in the 52nd minute, Alphonse saving with his feet as Villa waltzed through again. This bet is currently priced at 9/1 with Betfair. External Link, Spurs 3-3 West Ham - on-the-whistle report The Villa forward proceeds to lash high and wide. GoalKeeper, Position: Bertrand Traore replaces Trezeguet to make his league debut for Aston Villa. The ball falls to Anguissa after a goalmouth scramble and his fierce shot is blocked by Matty Cash. Fulham are still awaiting their first win of the season after two matches, while Aston Villa began 2020/21 with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. 5/20. Martinez remains largely untroub… https://t.co/J2YxBpn3. Bobby Decordova-Reid thought he had given his side a lifeline by scoring from close range, Decordova-Reid saw his effort ruled out for a foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic in the build-up. Villa are looking to open a Premier League campaign with back-to-back victories for just the third time, having previously done so in 1995/96 and 1999/00. External Link, How to check FPL bonus points during matches, The Presser: Smith previews Cottagers clash, Kane sets Premier League record with electric start. External Link, Rodgers Reveals Extent Of Soyuncu & Vardy Injuries Tom Cairney is rather harshly booked for a trip on McGinn in midfield. Midfield, Position: The only positive for Parker was that his team couldn’t be any worse in the second half. This was Aston Villa’s second game of the season and they won't have an easier one from the remaining 36. Parker could only stand and watch, his team were being dismantled by a team who last season scraped to survival on the final day. The London outfit have beaten Villa in four of their last five head to head games however, with Dean Smith’s side in good form, the recommendation is to back the visitors. The comments below have not been moderated. Leeds v Wolves: More joy for Nuno's men against new boys? ‘That was a pleasing all round performance, we got the balance just right,’ said the Villa boss, whose team recorded their first Premier League away win since New Year’s Day.