Aston Villa claim pivotal three points in UCL fight with 1-0 win over Fulham

National World - LocalTV

Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden reacts to Aston Villa's narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League, courtesy of Youri Tielemans' first-half goal.

Transcript

00:00Aston Villa have just claimed a pivotal three points in the race for Champions League football

00:05with a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham here at Villa Park.

00:09Ahead of from Uri Tillemans in the 12th minute was enough to claim the victory for Unai Emery's men

00:13in what was a very cagey encounter to say the least.

00:17The first half, pretty little to report apart from the goal really.

00:20Pretty scrappy, both teams really trying to wrestle to get a bit of momentum in the tie but unable to.

00:26Robert Jones, the referee, had to give the fouls I suppose.

00:29There were so many of them, so scrappy in the middle of the park.

00:32Both teams just trying to get enough duels, win enough duels rather.

00:37There was Uri Tillemans' chance just before half-time actually that livened up Villa Park a little bit.

00:41He curled from outside the box and Bern Leno made a terrific save to turn it round the post.

00:46Robert Jones, the referee, gave a goal kick though which most people thought was the right decision.

00:51It didn't look like he'd made the save until the replays came on the big screen

00:54and Leno with a bit of a wry smile about to take his goal kick looking up

00:58to see the save that he'd just made.

01:00Pretty good poker face from the Fulham goalkeeper in fairness.

01:02I think it must be quite tricky not to celebrate when you've just pulled off a save like that.

01:06But Tillemans denied a stunning second by that save from Leno.

01:10In the second half, Oli Watkins had a couple of great opportunities as double Villa's lead.

01:14The fluffed his lines.

01:16One from a low cross just from Matty Cash.

01:18Just couldn't make a connection with the ball at all.

01:21Swung and miss really.

01:23A rare swing and a miss from Oli Watkins.

01:25And then went clean through from a Morgan Rodgers through pass and his shot was saved brilliantly by Leno.

01:31I think that was more the Fulham goalkeeper pulling off a fine save and it was a terrible miss from Watkins.

01:35But a miss nonetheless.

01:37Not able to get on the score sheet.

01:38Then Daniel Marlon struck the crossbar in second half stoppage time as well.

01:42So nearly getting the goal.

01:43The second goal for Villa but unable to.

01:46It was one of them where Villa just had to dig in and try and manage the game.

01:49I think Emery managed the substitutions very well.

01:51Brought on Amadou Onana in the centre of the park.

01:54He offered some fresh legs that were really needed.

01:56Jacob Ramsey offering a bit of an outlet down the left flank when John McGinn was getting tired.

02:00Marlon as well on for Watkins I think for the right time.

02:03About 20 minutes to go.

02:04Having an outlet in behind with the pace when Watkins was beginning to tire.

02:09So yeah, good game management.

02:11And Emery at times this season.

02:12His substitutions haven't quite been convincing enough.

02:14But today I think they were.

02:16One player though who wasn't great for me unfortunately again was Pau Torres.

02:20His first half gave the ball away two or three times.

02:24Gave away some sloppy fouls.

02:27Just not really himself at the moment.

02:29I think maybe it's a confidence thing.

02:30A lot of people have been on his back.

02:32Of course we've got to put in the reports as well if he's not playing well.

02:35I don't know if he's reading those reports.

02:36Probably not.

02:37But either way he'll be aware of the criticism he's getting.

02:41And he needs to get back to form sooner rather than later.

02:43I was quite surprised actually that Tyrone Mings wasn't given a nod in the left side of central defence.

02:48Perhaps maybe we could see him get the nod in future games before the end of the season.

02:52But hopefully just a blip for Pau Torres because we know what he's capable of.

02:55He's a fantastic ball-playing defender on his day.

02:58He just needs to get his mojo back.

03:00But it's not all about the criticism for Pau.

03:02Just a slight down on the day really.

03:05Otherwise a very well managed performance from Aston Villa.

03:07Getting those three points.

03:09Still a bit of belief if they can win the final three matches of this season.

03:12They could get Champions League football.

03:13Today's result a huge step towards that.

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