Aston Villa have moved onto 25 points from 12 Premier League matches this season courtesy of a 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
The result has left Unai Emery's side in fifth position in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, while Fulham occupy 16th on 12 points from 12 matches.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made a smart save in the sixth minute of the contest to deny Moussa Diaby, who had attempted to pick out the back of the net off a cross from Lucas Digne.
Villa were then awarded a penalty in the seventh minute, with the referee pointing to the spot due to a potential Timothy Castagne handball, but the referee then changed his decision following advice from VAR and a review of the evidence at the pitch-side monitor, which demonstrated that the ball struck his face.
Excellent defensive work from Ezri Konsa then prevented Raul Jimenez from what looked to be an easy finish, with the Villa defender just managing to clear a low cross from Castagne.
The home side managed to make the breakthrough in the 27th minute through an own goal from Antonee Robinson, who turned a cross from Youri Tielemans into the back of his net from close range under pressure from Diaby.
Villa then doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute, with John McGinn finding the bottom corner with a terrific strike after spotting the space and driving into a shooting position.
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Fulham came close to getting a goal back early in the second period through Jimenez, but his low strike from inside the box was tipped onto the post by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, before Willian struck over the crossbar from the rebound.
Matty Cash then tested Leno with a strike from distance, with both sides having opportunities to add to the scoring in the early stages of the second period.
Villa scored their third in the 64th minute of the contest through Ollie Watkins, who slotted into the back of the net off a cross from Leon Bailey, with the goal being given following a VAR check for offside.
Fulham managed to get their name on the scoresheet in the 70th minute through Jimenez, as the Mexican converted a cross from Robinson from close range.
Villa had chances to add to the scoring late on, but McGinn saw a cross deflected onto the crossbar, before Watkins and Bailey missed opportunities from the rebound, and the hosts ultimately declared at three, with Emery's side keeping up their push for the top four.
Villa will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they head to Tottenham Hotspur on November 26, while Fulham will return to action a day later against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Matt Law
