Aston Villa blew a big chance to consolidate their Champions League push with a lacklustre defeat at Fulham.
Ryan Sessegnon celebrated a week where his contract was extended with the only goal of the tie, deservedly earning only their second victory in ten attempts.
Fulham head coach Marco Silva dropped Rodrigo Muniz to the bench, putting Raul Jiminez in the starting line-up – one of three changes including Samuel Chukwueze and Sander Berge coming in as well.
The visitors were missing Amadou Onana, meaning a starting spot for Lamare Bogarde. Pau Torres and Emi Buendia also returned for the Champions League-chasing Midlanders.
It was a bright start for Fulham, in the equally bright conditions of Craven Cottage, with Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe both finding space in the area – but neither were able to do much with the ball.
Sasa Lukic aimed a powering run straight at Emilano Martinez, as the hosts continued to be on the front foot.
Ryan Sessegnon scored the only goal of the game as Fulham beat Aston VillaÂ
Unai Emery booted the advertising boards in frustration and Villa missed some big chances
Villa offered practically little in the opening half-hour, with the exception of some corners that amounted to nothing.
The game itself settled into a lull, with neither side particularly creative in their attacking play – although the hosts were generally on top.
However, Villa sprang into much-needed life and came close twice. Firstly, Morgan Rogers picked the ball up on the left flank, worked his way into the area, and with space to shoot just fired his 33rd minute shot wide.
Moments later, Ollie Watkins dragged his own effort narrowly off-target, as his side finally found their attacking feet.
However, Fulham took the lead with just two minutes of the half remaining – a cross by Timothy Castagne found the head of Lukic who forced Martinez to palm away.Â
Sessegnon was on-hand to pounce on the rebound for his third of the campaign. It was no more than the hosts deserved, in a game that badly needed a goal.
While Villa needed a response in the second half, it could have got much worse for them just two minutes after the restart, when Wilson put an effort just wide.
Indeed, the visitors continued to look flat and without much energy or cutting edge. This was evident when Watkins was able to run into space on the hour mark but fired his effort well off target.
Fulham felt they doubled their lead on 66 minutes, when Castagne headed home from a Lukic corner. However, VAR ruled that Berge committed a foul on Martinez in the area while the ball was being delivered.
Villa continued to labour in the final third, as their opponents continued to hold firmly and comfortably at the back.
Emery made no less than five changes, including replacing the lacklustre Watkins for Tammy Abraham, who earned a 93rd minute winner against Sunderland last week.
The substitute managed to put his effort well over with his first touch of the contest, on 83 minutes, which seemed to sum up the day of Villa.
With four minutes injury time awarded, Fulham saw the game out drama-free to earn a victory that was the least they deserved.
