Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham: Substitute Trezeguet scores twice

Substitute Trezeguet scored twice as Aston Villa hit three in the final 12 minutes to dent Fulham’s hopes of staying in the Premier League.

Mings, captaining Villa in Jack Grealish’s absence, messed up attempting a back pass to Emiliano Martinez, allowing Mitrovic to sneak in, go round the goalkeeper and score.

However, Mings atoned for his error to provide the cross for Trezeguet to equalise with a first-time shot before the Egypt midfielder scored the second three minutes later.

England forward Ollie Watkins added Villa’s third from inside the six-yard area.

On the stroke of half-time, with the game at 0-0, Villa thought they had won a penalty when Watkins went down under Mario Lemina’s challenge.

However, referee Andy Madley overruled himself after viewing a replay on the pitchside monitor.

Trezeguet inspires late Villa flourish

Without inspirational captain Grealish for the seventh straight game, Villa looked in a rut when they went behind just after the hour mark.

Dean Smith was hoping to welcome back Grealish from a shin injury but a setback in training on the eve of the game dashed the Villa manager’s plans.

Villa have struggled without the England midfielder, winning just one of their previous six matches and they looked on course for another disappointing result until Trezeguet was sent on.

He scored twice in the space of three minutes to turn the game on its head before playing a part in the third goal by laying it off to Mings, who crossed for Watkins to score.

With a trip to Liverpool and a home game against Manchester City coming up, this was a welcome return to winning ways.

Villa will hope to have Grealish back in time for next weekend’s visit to Anfield but they at least proved against Fulham that they can win without their prized asset.

Huge blow for Fulham

With Newcastle again failing to win, this game represented Fulham’s best chance yet of climbing out of the bottom three, where they have been anchored since 20 December 2020.

It appeared to be going to plan for the visitors when Mitrovic scored.

Elevated to the starting line-up after scoring five goals in three World Cup qualifiers for Serbia, the former Newcastle player justified his inclusion with his goal.

But Fulham capitulated as Villa scored three times in the space of nine minutes to take the game away from them.

Three points from a position of safety with eight matches left, including a home game against Manchester United, as well as trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, Scott Parker’s side are in big trouble.

They need to respond from this setback quickly, starting against Wolves at home on Friday.

What’s next?

While Aston Villa will hope to have Grealish back for next Saturday’s league game at Liverpool (15:00 BST), Fulham are back in action on Friday when Wolves visit Craven Cottage (20:00).

More to follow.