Fulham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as hosts clinch victory over Cottagers

McGinn goes into the book for a strong challenge as Fulham looked to counter-attack.

Villa have a throw-in deep inside the Fulham half. Moreno finds McGinn just outside the penalty area, but Emery's side turn back and remain cautious, keeping possession. The ball eventually finds Luiz after Palhinha is dispossessed, but he can't quite find the run of Bailey on his right, who had found himself in space inside the box.

Off the bar! Ramsey dispossesses Palhinha just inside the Fulham half, leaving the midfielder in a heap on the floor. He drives towards the penalty area before finding Bailey out wide. The Villa winger cuts inside onto his left foot and attempts an ambitious effort from outside the box, but his dipping shot strikes the top of the bar and goes behind for a goal-kick. So close to a second!

Palhinha finds Castagne with a superb cross-field pass, with the Belgian full-back in space on the right-hand side. He lays the ball back into the path of Pereira who instantly delivers a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Muniz comes flying in to try and head towards goal, but Lenglet deals with the situation well and Villa can clear.

Goal Oliver George Arthur Watkins

Fulham now have the ball in the back of the net... but it won't count! From the resulting free-kick, Cairney whipped it into the penalty area. The cross was flicked on and Ream arrived at the back post, before taking a touch and firing it home. However, the assistant referee had his flag up for offside!

Fulham will have an opportunity from a free-kick after Bailey fouled Cairney. The Jamaican winger is penalised for a high foot as he almost caught his opponent in the face. Pereira and Cairney are standing over it and will look to deliver it into the box.

The Fulham supporters want a penalty! A ball is delivered into the Villa box and Lenglet struggles to clear it. It falls to De Cordova-Reid inside the area and he takes a touch on his chest before Torres barges through the back of him. Craven Cottage and the Fulham players appeal for a penalty, but the referee is having none of it.

Emery's side have dominated the possession in the early stages of the game, managing to have 61.9 per cent of the ball. However, Villa have had just the one shot since the game got under way and have struggled to find a breakthrough, while also touching the ball in the opposition box once.

Villa are pushing for the opener. Moreno feeds Ramsey just outside the penalty area, and the young midfielder turns before looking to shift the ball onto his stronger right foot. He gets it out of his feet, creating space for himself, and he tries to test Leno from the edge of the area, but he drags it wide of the post. He'll be disappointed not to have at least hit the target from there.