Aston Villa finally got off the mark by beating Fulham for their first win of the Premier League campaign.
Unai Emery’s side arrived into Sunday’s match at Villa Park with just three points from their opening three matches and got off to a bad start against the Cottagers.
Raul Jimenez struck early to put the visitors ahead, but the striker’s day was ended prematurely when he was forced off the pitch with injury and replaced by Adama Traore.
From there it went all wrong for Fulham. Josh King was booked for simulation for the second week in a row before Ollie Watkins lobbed Bernd Leno for his first goal of the season.
Villa were a much improved team in the second half and made it count on the scoreline, with John McGinn and Emi Buendia both finding the net to complete a 3-1 win.
Aston Villa ‘on our way back’ with first win of the season
“That feels nice,” McGinn told Sky Sports. “With Wolves [drawing against Spurs], you have your eye on the table. We are starting to play a lot better and today was so important.
“You have a moment where you can feel the pressure but everyone put in the effort.
“We have been praised a lot over the last few seasons; you take the highs and lows. The criticism has been deserved; it’s not been good enough.”
Asked if Villa are back to their best, the Villa captain responded: “Not quite. There are more signs we are coming back. Today was a huge effort. Bologna make you run and the turnaround is quick.
“Everyone put a shift in and that is what it will take. We are on our way.”
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