Aston Villa - Southampton 1-0
A share of the spoils against defending champions Manchester City lifted some of the mounting pressure off Steven Gerrard’s shoulders, but his Villa side have had an extended wait to try and back it up after their clash with Leicester City was postponed. There was plenty of rust on display in a turgid first half in the Midlands, with a real lack of quality from both sides, especially in the final third.
The shining light of the half was undoubtedly the recalled Philippe Coutinho, who put his flair on show to turn James Ward-Prowse before firing from range, but the Brazilian couldn’t keep his shot down. The hosts capitalised on their growing momentum to take the lead before the break. Ollie Watkins’ close-range header was tipped onto the bar by Gavin Bazunu, and Mohammed Salisu’s weak clearance fell into the path of Jacob Ramsey, who rifled home his first goal of the season.
With a raft of substitutions from both sides, the second half desperately lacked any real flow, benefitting Villa as they looked to defend their slender lead. Being behind was hardly a new situation for the Saints though, who have now conceded first in a league-high six games this term.
Ralph Hasenhüttl has more Premier League wins against Villa than any other side, so would’ve been desperately disappointed with the lack of quality on show from his side, both on the ball and in the final third. The visitors failed to really trouble Emiliano Martínez, who was a doubt ahead of kick-off, extending their miserable away record in the league, winning just one of their last 11 on the road.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
Nottingham Forest - Fulham 2-3
In a clash between two of last season’s promoted Championship sides, the playoff winners took it to the champions early on, finding an opening goal after just 11 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White’s original corner was flicked on by Ryan Yates, with Taiwo Awoniyi alert at the back post to head home his second of the season. A toothless Fulham side failed to react to the early opener, with Forest good money for their HT advantage.
Having thrown away a HT lead in their last fixture against Bournemouth, history would repeat itself at the City Ground, with the visitors netting three times in just over five minutes to flip the game on its head. Tosin Adarabioyo started things off 10 minutes after the restart, heading home from Willian’s whipped corner kick, before João Palhinha, a summer arrival from Sporting CP, rifled home a rocketed strike moments later.
With the Forest players shell-shocked and the City Ground now silent, Fulham’s rampage saw them add a third, this time Harrison Reed getting in on the act with a sumptuous half-volley from inside the penalty area - his first goal in Fulham white coming in his 109th appearance for the club.
Despite a lack of cohesiveness at the back, Forest’s attacking talents continued to threaten, with the hosts snatching a second and setting up a grand-stand finish with 13 minutes left on the clock. Adarabioyo’s failed clearance fell into the path of Lewis O'Brien, who rifled into the roof of the net from 18-yards out, but it would prove nothing more than a consolation, as Marco Silva’s side held on to secure their first Premier League victory away from home in nine attempts.
