Analysis: A crucial win but Villa still far from their best
- Published
Aston Villa desperately needed this victory.
Not that Unai Emery's position is under threat, but the narrative around their season was one of concern following five winless games.
More is expected of a club with European ambitions, so the nature of Aston Villa's flat and listless performances had been a growing worry.
Three points against Fulham will now give Villa the springboard they craved as they travel to Feyenoord in the Europa League this week.
The visit of Burnley follows in the Premier League and quickly the horizon looks a little brighter, especially following Thursday's narrow Europa League win over Bologna.
It wasn't that Villa were at their swashbuckling best - it was far from it. They ground the result out after falling behind to Raul Jimenez's header, while there was also an element of Fulham allowing them a route back.
Ollie Watkins ending his goal drought, having gone nine games without scoring, removes another obstacle which had threatened to trip up Villa this season.
The striker, who struck 16 times in the Premier League last season, is so crucial to Villa's hopes due to their minimal goalscoring back-up.
His return to the scoresheet capped a satisfying, if not comprehensive, win.