By KBC Associate 
Aston Villa kept their hopes of a top-five Premier League finish firmly alive after a Youri Tielemans goal proved to be the difference against Fulham at Villa Park.
Tielemans headed in from a John McGinn corner on 12-minutes to ensure Unai Emery’s side moved level on points with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest in the table.
It was a vital three points for Emery’s side, who are looking to return to the Champions League after their run to the last eight this season, but the hosts missed several good chances to put the contest to bed on what was a nervy afternoon for the home fans.
Defeat for Fulham, meanwhile, may well have dashed their dreams of European football next term. Marco Silva’s side are currently in eighth but the result means they are now eight points adrift of Villa in seventh.
Three points secured. Nine left to fight for. 👊 pic.twitter.com/AYS4bWKNLn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 3, 2025
Villa make a strong start in crucial game
Villa edged the opening exchanges, seemingly intent to put their disappointing Wembley showing in the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final firmly behind them.
And on 12-minutes, the hosts were ahead when from McGinn’s inviting corner, Tielemans’ header could only be pushed into the roof of the net by Bernd Leno, sparking jubilation from the home supporters.
The Belgian midfielder again went close shortly before half-time with an effort from distance but on this occasion Leno was on hand to tip the ball behind.
Hosts squander chances while visitors grow into game
Immediately following the restart, the hosts missed the first of several good opportunities to double their lead.
Ezri Konsa found Matty Cash and the full-back delivered a great ball for an unmarked Ollie Watkins inside the box. But the England man failed to get anything on the cross and a glorious chance was squandered.
Aston Villa lead early!
Youri Tielemans scores with a powerful header in the 12th minute, following a quality corner from John McGinn 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/b0cYQR22BZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 3, 2025
Five-minutes later, Fulham had the ball in the back of Villa’s net courtesy of Ryan Sessegnon, but the goal was ruled out for handball.
The visitors, who trail only Liverpool and Manchester City for most points gained from losing positions in the league this term, were growing into the contest.
Harry Wilson wasted a couple of promising opportunities before Watkins had another good chance to double Villa’s lead but Leno was equal to it.
A closely-fought finish
With less than a quarter of an hour remaining, Cash blocked well to deny what looked to be a certain equaliser from Joachim Andersen.
At the other end, Donyell Malen was the next culprit of a missed chance as Leno again saved.
Fulham were forced to finish the game with ten men when Harrison Reed limped off after Silva had already made five substitutions.
It seemed to encapsulate the visitors’ afternoon, as their hopes of clinching a European spot took a significant dent on their travels.
For Villa, however, the dream of a second successive season in the Champions League seems very much back on.