Fulham suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, losing 3-1 at Villa Park, the loss giving the Villains their first win of the Premier League season.
It was a bright start for Marco Silva’s men, as they took the lead just three minutes in, courtesy of Raul Jimenez converting from Sasa Lukic’s corner.
Ultimately though it was an afternoon to forget for the West London team, who conceded three goals to a struggling Aston Villa side, which included an Ollie Watkins goal, as he netted his first in the Premier League since May.
A Fulham side that had won three games on the bounce in all competitions will look to build again, as they travel to the South coast to play Bournemouth on Friday night.
-
"We were too soft for the level that the Premier League demands"
Marco Silva gave his verdict on the game below and his side’s approach to stopping the Villa game plan, “we knew that they were going to try to get in behind, and that’s what hurts me more, because we knew it, we planned for it, we knew the way the ball is going to go in behind for Watkins or for another player.
“And because of that, I think that we have to blame ourselves for the way we conceded the three goals. I think we were too soft for the level that the Premier League demands at a side with the individual quality they have.
“The game was completely under control from ourselves – leading the score, more chances to score the second. And to concede the equaliser, from a long ball from a defender, you cannot concede that goal at this level that we are playing".
He praised Villa’s reaction and the way that the hosts responded to going a goal down early on, as he said “It was a good reaction, they equalised the game after the 1-0 and our very good start. Of course it gave them some confidence, the game was much more balanced in that moment, and after we were punished by the way we started the second half.
“It was a moment for us to react again, to start strong. We spoke at half-time, things to adjust, and we conceded two really poor goals, to be honest".
Josh King simulation controversy
Fulham’s young prodigy Joshua King has had an eventful start to his Premier League career and was involved in controversy once more, as he was shown a yellow card for simulation in an incident with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the Villa penalty area. There have been many questions surrounding this and Silva had his say:
"I have watched the moments now and for me, they are incredible. I respect and they will try and explain but we cannot understand”.
He was quick to defend King, as he said “we don't need anyone to educate Josh King. Josh King already has two yellow cards in the Premier League, and they disallowed a goal from him. It is very difficult for me to say that (the challenge from) Martinez is not a penalty.
“If a player is taken out inside the box, it is a penalty everywhere in the world. Don't try to educate Josh King because we can do it inside our football club.”
Jimenez injury changes the game
The Cottagers' boss also spoke about Jimenez’s impact, and how his early departure due to injury changed the complexion of the game.
“He tried but he was not able to keep going in the game. It was difficult because when you don't have Raul or Rodrigo (Muniz), without both it is more difficult.
“Adama tried, he is a different style (of player). We're much more of a team who likes to link with our striker in a different way. It's up to me and to us to find different solutions with a different profile of striker".
