Fulham defeat Aston Villa as Sessegnon strike boosts European ambitions
Ryan Sessegnon scored the only goal of the game as Fulham defeated Aston Villa 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday to reignite their hopes of qualifying for European football.
The homegrown wide player capitalised on a fortunate rebound after Emiliano Martinez saved a diving header from Raul Jimenez.
This crucial victory ended a frustrating three-match winless and goalless streak for the west London club.
Claiming maximum points moves the Cottagers level with the final European qualification spot in the early weekend Premier League standings.
Villa falter in top-four chase
The visitors arrived in the capital hoping to leapfrog Manchester United into third place and cement their Champions League aspirations.
However, the Midlands outfit lacked their usual cutting edge and now risk being overtaken by fifth-placed Liverpool.
First-half efforts from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers both flashed narrowly wide of the target as they struggled to break the deadlock.
The hosts were almost punished further when Timothy Castagne nodded in a corner, but the referee ruled it out for a foul by Sander Berge on the goalkeeper.
Late drama at Craven Cottage
Aston Villa pushed higher up the pitch after the interval in desperate search of an equaliser.
Their golden opportunity to rescue a point arrived in the 84th minute through substitute Tammy Abraham.
The English striker danced past Joachim Andersen but inexplicably sent his shot over the crossbar with the goal gaping.
Holding on for a clean sheet allows Fulham to continue dreaming of replicating their famous run to the Europa League final 16 years ago.
