Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 26 April 2026 7:10, UK

Aston Villa fell to defeat for the first time since returning from the international break on Saturday, as they suffered a 1-0 loss against Fulham.

Ryan Sessegnon openened the scoring in the first half for the Cottagers, in a match that Villa just did not get to grips with.

Fulham had a goal ruled out in the second half as Timothy Castagne headed home, but Unai Emery’s side failed to capitalise.

The Villans need six more points out of a possible 12 to secure their return to the Champions League.

But to do so, boss Emery must ensure that the glaring problems arising on Saturday are solved ahead of the season’s final weeks.

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Since returning from the recent international break, Emery’s side had been in a good vein of form before the Fulham trip.

However, they once again struggled to grab a match by the horns away from home, with the Cottagers outclassing them in multiple aspects.

The most concerning fact to arise after the defeat though, is the fact that the Villans have won just one of their last eight away matches in the Premier League – a run stretching back to January.

While they remain formidable in B6, Villa just are not managing to get going away from home, even against a Fulham side who had won just one of their last nine against a side starting the day in the top half.

Without any real creativity, the visitors struggled against a resolute Fulham side, with the five chances forged by John McGinn turning out as two more than any Villa player has created in an away game this season.

For all the possession, with 61 per cent of the ball, Emery’s side are just not proving ruthless on the road – this must change heading into the season’s crunch point.

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Alongside the push for Champions League football, the Midlanders are the favourites to go on and lift the Europa League next month.

Though, they must first navigate two legs against domestic rivals Nottingham Forest – the first being away at the City Ground.

Emery knows his way around a knockout tie, having won the Europa League four times before, but it cannot be ignored that the serious issues away from home will give Forest a boost ahead of Thursday’s first leg.

At such a crucial point of the season, Villa have lost momentum slightly, with the defeat in West London being a concerning one, given that the visitors simply did not show up.

If they are to succeed in Europe, the away form will have to be corrected before Thursday, while it will remain a long-term focus for Emery if the Spaniard is to continue guiding the club further up the standings in the coming years.