This may have been a shaky win. It may have concluded with the opposition piling forward in urgent pursuit of an equalizer. But never mind. At this stage of the season, three points are more significant than performance. And these were three that took Aston Villa into fifth place in the Premier League, moving ahead of Tottenham Hotspur at least for an evening or two. For a club whose heritage is writ large around its glorious stadium, whose 1981 European Cup winning team is honored in a mural, continental football next season is a growing possibility.
And no one would have predicted that last November, when Steven Gerrard’s tenure ended with his side flirting with relegation. Then they looked at the very definition of brittle. But Unai Emery, once mocked relentlessly in North London, has done something remarkable: he has solidified them. This was the 20th consecutive game under his leadership that Villa scored. That is some managerial record.
And for much of the first half here they looked in vibrant condition. With Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn exchanging quick and clever passes, with the full-backs tearing forward, with crosses spearing in from all sides, they provided a constant menace to a Fulham side whose principal tactical ambition seemed to be to cling on for a goalless draw.
The game was barely underway when there was a big shout from the crowd for a penalty. Alex Moreno put in yet another cross, Ollie Watkins raced in front of Tosin, flicked the ball forward and fell. After a lengthy inspection, the video assistant referee reckoned Tosin had touched the ball.
Not that Villa worried. They forced a succession of corners. McGinn swung them in, only for a Fulham head to reach them and clear behind. The Villa captain decided to vary his routine and put one in short. And Tyrone Mings reached the ball first to steer it deftly with his head across the goal into the far corner.
Emery celebrated by punching the air, delighted by the success of what appeared to be a well-rehearsed routine. And the crowd recognized his contribution: singing his name joyfully.
Fulham, meanwhile, already weakened by the continuing suspension of Aleksandar Mitrovic, were deprived of Willian, who injured himself in the warm up and Harry Wilson, who limped off after no more than 15 minutes. And in truth, an extravagant scissor kick by Andreas Pereira that went fairly wide, they offered little in the first half.
However, in the second, they began to exploit Villa complacency. Their manager Marco Silva sensed the opportunity. He moved Dan James, who was never really a like-for-like replacement for Mitrovic, up against Ashley Young, to test the old warhorse for pace. Emery, sensing his side were dropping off, stood on the side waving his arms around as if miming the action of a spin drier. Fulham pushed and pressed. James chased Young to distraction. Emery, fearful of what might happen, removed him from the fray, replacing him with Lucas Digne. Villa fell deeper and deeper back. Emery looked ever more agitated. But ultimately they hung on. And now Europe beckons.