It’s been a whirlwind week for Aston Villa fans as the team finally broke their early-season duck with a gritty 1-0 victory over Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night. John McGinn’s 13th-minute strike was enough to secure the win, and for supporters at Villa Park, it brought a much-needed sense of relief. But was it a convincing performance? That’s still up for debate as Unai Emery’s side now turns its attention to a crucial Premier League fixture against Fulham this Sunday.
The match against Bologna wasn’t just another tick on the fixture list—it was a confidence booster, a clean sheet, and perhaps a much-needed reset for a team that’s struggled to find its rhythm. As Steve, a lifelong Villa supporter, put it, “Well it’s a few things! An improvement, a confidence booster, a win, another clean sheet, and something we can build on.” That sentiment was echoed by many, even if there were reservations about the quality of the display.
Despite the three points, fans and pundits alike have pointed out that Villa’s performance was far from perfect. The team looked lively in the first half, with Pau Torres and Boubacar Kamara adding a new dimension to the midfield and defense. James, another fan, remarked, “Best first half so far this season. We looked hungry again. Pau Torres added something extra and Boubacar Kamara takes us to another level. Only criticism is we should have converted more chances.”
Yet, the second half saw Villa hanging on, with Bologna pressing hard for an equalizer. The heroics of Bologna’s goalkeeper, Marco Bizot, kept the margin at just one goal, as he made several crucial saves to keep his side in contention. Prit, commenting on the match, noted, “We were hanging on in the second half and praise must be given to Marco Bizot who kept Bologna out.”
Not all the headlines were positive, however. Morgan Rogers, Evann Guessand, and Ollie Watkins came under fire for underwhelming performances. Keith didn’t mince words: “Morgan Rogers, Evann Guessand and Ollie Watkins are dragging the team down—they need to be sat on the bench and bring in Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho for the next match.” The criticism of Rogers was especially pointed, with fans ironically cheering a successful pass in the second half, a gesture Robert described as something supporters “should hang their head in shame” for.
Watkins, for his part, missed a penalty but was otherwise a persistent threat up front. Prit offered a more balanced view: “Despite his missed penalty, I thought Watkins did OK and if he continues like this a goal will come.” The striker is currently enduring the longest goalless streak of his Villa career—nine games and counting—but his work rate and movement still make him a key part of Emery’s plans.
Unai Emery, Villa’s manager, has not shied away from acknowledging the team’s struggles. Ken, reflecting on the match, observed, “Aston Villa again lost almost all duels and challenged balls. Unai Emery is right to demand more efforts since Villa are obviously in team crisis.” That crisis is underscored by the fact that, despite the clean sheet and win, Villa lost most of the physical battles on the pitch, a stat that won’t sit well with Emery or the fans.
Now, with the first win of the season finally secured, Villa prepares for a return to Premier League action against Fulham at Villa Park. The Cottagers, managed by Marco Silva, have had a solid start to their campaign, sitting eighth in the league with two wins, two draws, and just one defeat. However, their record at Villa Park is less than inspiring—just one victory in their last 21 visits to B6. Will that hoodoo continue this Sunday?
Emery faces several selection dilemmas ahead of the Fulham clash. The big question is whether to persist with Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, both of whom struggled against Bologna. According to Birmingham World, Emery wants Rogers to “experience every moment of this rut to learn from it,” suggesting the young attacking midfielder may get another chance to prove himself. Watkins, despite his barren run in front of goal, remains Villa’s all-time top scorer and is likely to start again, with Donyell Malen waiting in the wings should Emery opt for a change.
There’s also intrigue in the midfield and defensive lines. Boubacar Kamara’s return to full fitness is a significant boost, providing much-needed stability and allowing Villa’s creative players more freedom. Pau Torres, who impressed midweek with his passing and composure, could retain his place ahead of Tyrone Mings, while Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen are competing for the left-back spot. Matty Cash, fresh off a goal last weekend, is a lock at right-back, with Ezri Konsa expected to partner Torres in central defense.
In goal, World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez is hopeful of returning after missing the Bologna game with a minor injury. Emery is optimistic that, as long as Martinez completes at least one training session, he’ll be ready to reclaim his spot from Marco Bizot, who performed admirably in his absence.
The attacking lineup could see some tweaks as well. Harvey Elliott, a deadline day signing, didn’t feature against Bologna but is expected to start against Fulham, likely replacing Evann Guessand who “looked leggy and is due a benching.” On the left, Emiliano Buendia has been Villa’s most creative outlet in recent weeks, though Jadon Sancho is pushing hard for a starting berth.
With so many moving parts and selection headaches, Emery’s approach to the Fulham game will be closely watched. The manager’s willingness to stick with struggling players like Rogers and Watkins speaks to his belief in their potential to turn things around, but patience among supporters is beginning to wear thin.
As Villa look to build on their Europa League win and kickstart their Premier League campaign, the pressure is on to deliver a more convincing performance. The first half against Bologna showed glimpses of what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders, but the second half’s nervy display highlighted the fragility that still lingers.
Fulham, for their part, will be eager to capitalize on any uncertainty in the Villa ranks. With a solid start to their own season and a chance to break their Villa Park curse, the Cottagers will come into the match full of confidence. Emery, though, will be hoping that the lessons learned from Thursday’s hard-fought win can set the tone for a stronger showing on Sunday.
All eyes will be on Villa Park as the action unfolds, with fans hoping that this week’s victory marks the start of a new chapter. For now, the mood is cautiously optimistic—Villa have their first win, but the real test comes against Fulham, where consistency, resilience, and a touch of attacking flair will be needed to truly get their season up and running.
