Fulham kept themselves in the hunt for European football next season as Ryan Sessegnon's 43rd-minute strike earned a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Marco Silva's side temporarily moved into the top half of the Premier League ahead of the weekend's action and are now just two points behind sixth-placed Brighton. 

After a cagey opening, Morgan Rogers was presented with the game's first opportunity when he was set free down the right by John McGinn, but after cutting inside, he flashed his side just wide of the far post. 

The in-form Ollie Watkins then went close a minute later with England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on in the stands, but the visitors were made to rue those missed chances two minutes before the break.

Sasa Lukic saw his initial header brilliantly saved by Emiliano Martínez, only for the rebound to fall kindly to Sessegnon, who smashed the ball home from close range. 

Fulham thought they had doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Lukic's deep corner was nodded in by Timothy Castagne, but the goal was ruled out by referee Michael Oliver for a foul on Martinez by Sander Berge. 

Villa continued to push for a leveller and almost sealed a share of the spoils seven minutes from time, but Tammy Abraham, who scored the winning goal in their thrilling win over Sunderland last time out, fired over after beating Joachim Andersen with a fine bit of skill. 

Get in thereeeee! pic.twitter.com/k1y0XXBPa8

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) April 25, 2026

Data Debrief: Villa falter on the road again

After their defeat at Craven Cottage, Villa could drop to fifth if Liverpool beat Crystal Palace later on Saturday, and while their position in the Champions League places looks all but assured, Unai Emery will want to correct his team's form on the road. 

The Villans have now won one of their last eight away Premier League games (D3 L4) and are winless in five (D2 L3), while Emery also lost his first match against Fulham in the Premier League in what was his ninth encounter against them. 

Fulham, meanwhile, ended a run of six consecutive defeats against Villa. Since the start of 2000, the Cottagers have now only beaten Bolton Wanderers (11) and Newcastle United (11) more often on home soil in league action than the Villans (nine).

Silva's side defended stoutly and took their chance when it mattered. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.06 from their 13 shots to Villa's tally of 0.71 from their 10 attempts on Bernd Leno's net.