Samuel Chukwueze featuring for Fulham earlier in the week in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Cambridge United. Image credit: Nigfooty
By Ed Emeanua
Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze begins Premier League life in Fulham’s 3-1 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
The Nigerian was a second half substitute in his Premier League debut game.
Goals from Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia changed the game’s traction for Aston Villa after Raul Jimenez’ header put Fulham ahead inside three minutes.
Watkins put his goal drought to rest, helping struggling Aston Villa come from behind to put high flying Fulham down for his side’s first Premier League win of the season.
The ‘Three Lions’ forward’s 37′ goal was his first in nine past games, tying his drought run in his Villa career, but his decisive leveler was also the crucial spur for Villa’s win today.
McGinn (49′) and substitute Buendia (51′), (who scored his first Villa goal in a year), were both on target twice in two minutes immediately after halftime, leaving Silva’s Fulham defeated.
The win moved Unai Emery’s side out of the relegation zone, but Aston Villa’s push for holding on to Premier League status is far from over.
Despite Chukwueze’s inclusion, Marco Silva’s side failed to bury the ghost of Aston Villa’s eleven years unbeaten run against Fulham at Villa Park.
The Fulham manager’s other intention of planting three successive triumphs for the first time since January 2023 with a win at Villa Park, also failed to bear fruit.
“Completely two different halves, that is true,” Silva said after the game.
“Very good start from ourselves, I think the way we started the game was very, very good.
“Good goal from Raúl – prepared and executed from the players. Great corner, and very good header from Raúl.
“We knew how the game was going to be after that moment – I think we did use the high line really very well until the equaliser.
“Some good moments one-v-one with [Emiliano] Martinez with Josh [King], the other one with Josh as well, with Matty Cash in front of him. Some good, dangerous moments from us and always we were very well organised in our backline.
“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.
“Because of that, we have to blame ourselves – things that you can control. Things that you cannot control… it’s happened too often this season so far for Fulham, and this afternoon was again another good example.
“It was a good reaction from [Villa], 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.
“We lost one ball from Adama in that moment, yes, but the way our two midfielders were set up on the pitch, we have to be much more in control of that moment.
“And the third goal was more or less the same situation. And, of course, when these things happen, it’s going to be much more difficult for us.
“Losing Raúl had a massive impact on ourselves, without Rodrigo Muniz,” Silva explained. “Everything is much more difficult after.
“Adama tried, it’s true he is a different style. We’re much more of a team who likes to link with our striker in a different way. Adama, this is not his profile, but it’s up to me and to us to find different solutions with a different profile of striker.”
