Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham Player Ratings: Morgan Rogers Rated 9/10 as Villa's Second-Half Surge Secures 3-1 Victory

Aston Villa, who hadn't enjoyed the best start to the Premier League season and were sitting in the bottom four with just one win, secured a comfortable victory against Fulham. The match started with the visitors in full charge, which helped them take the lead in just three minutes thanks to a goal from Raul Jimenez. Since that first goal, Fulham's dominance declined, and possession was distributed equally between both teams until the second goal was scored just before the half-time whistle.

However, the second half was an entirely different story. Whatever Unai Emery said at halftime worked wonders. Villa emerged with a renewed fire and intensity, scoring two quick-fire goals that completely turned the match on its head. It was a classic tale of two halves, showcasing the thrilling unpredictability of the Premier League.

Fulham will be kicking themselves for letting their early advantage slip so dramatically. Once Villa found their rhythm, the visitors simply had no answer. The home side's clinical finishing in that devastating second-half spell was the ultimate difference maker.

Here are Aston Villa Vs Fulham Player Ratings

Fulham Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here are the Fulham Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno - 6.0: A tough afternoon for the German keeper. He was left exposed for all three goals and couldn't have done much about them. He did make one decent save, but it was a day where his defence crumbled in front of him. We noticed his distribution was solid with 90% accuracy, but he was a bystander for Villa's second-half onslaught.

Defenders

Calvin Bassey - 5.5: A really difficult game for Bassey. He made an error that led to a shot and picked up a needless yellow card. What stood out to us was his struggle to cope with Villa's fluid movement in the second half. He looked overwhelmed at times, and while he completed most of his passes, his defensive contribution was lacking when it mattered most.

Joachim Andersen - 6.5: The captain led by example with six clearances and a couple of important tackles. He was constantly organizing the backline and did his best to stem the tide. However, even he couldn't hold the fort during Villa's blistering start to the second half. A solid individual effort in a losing cause.

Timothy Castagne - 6.5: A very tidy performance on the ball, with an impressive 92% pass completion rate. He made six clearances and was defensively diligent for large parts of the game. He wasn't at fault for the collapse but also didn't offer a huge amount going forward to change the game's momentum.

Ryan Sessegnon - 5.0: We felt this was a day to forget for Sessegnon. He was dribbled past three times and lost possession a staggering 19 times, which is just too high at this level. He struggled to make any impact offensively and was a defensive liability. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

Midfielders

Harry Wilson - 6.0: He was busy and involved, but his final product was lacking. Wilson had three shots but couldn't find the target with any of them that mattered. He picked up a yellow card and seemed to get more frustrated as the game went on. A lot of effort without the end result.

Sander Berge - 6.5: Kept possession ticking over nicely in the midfield with high accuracy. He was a calm presence on the ball and made a few important interceptions. From our perspective, he needed to be more assertive defensively to protect his back four when Villa started to dominate.

Alex Iwobi - 6.0: Almost perfect with his passing, boasting a 95% completion rate. However, he played it far too safe. His performance was neat but lacked any sort of penetration or risk-taking. Fulham needed more from him in an attacking sense before he was substituted.

Saša Lukić - 7.0: One of Fulham's brighter sparks. He delivered a great cross for the opening goal and created another big chance. It was a combative performance, though it came with four fouls and a yellow card. He was trying to make things happen, which is more than can be said for some of his teammates.

Josh King - 6.5: Looked very lively in the first half, causing problems with his direct running. However, he was frustratingly booked for simulation. His influence waned significantly after the break, and he was eventually taken off. A performance of two halves for him personally.

Forwards

Raúl Jiménez - 7.0: What a cruel twist of fate. He scored a classic poacher's header to give Fulham the lead and looked sharp. Then, a devastating injury cut his game short after just 11 minutes. It's impossible not to wonder what might have been if he'd stayed on the pitch. A goal in his short time on the field earns him a solid rating.

Substitutes

Adama Traoré - 6.0: Came on for the injured Jiménez and offered pace but little else. He was caught offside multiple times and struggled to find a way into the game.

Manager

M. Saraiva da Silva - 5.5: His team had the perfect start but completely capitulated in a disastrous two-minute spell. He seemed unable to rally his troops or make tactical adjustments to counter Villa's second-half surge. The substitutions didn't have the desired impact, and it felt like the game ran away from him.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Fulham

Here are the Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Fulham

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 6.5: He couldn't do anything about the early goal and had a relatively quiet game afterward. His distribution was decent, but an uncharacteristic error led to a shot which blemishes his performance slightly. Overall, he did what was required without being spectacular.

Defenders

Matty Cash - 6.5: An energetic performance from the right-back. He was a willing runner down the flank but was a bit wasteful in possession at times. Defensively, he was solid enough, making a few important tackles and recoveries. An all-action, if slightly unpolished, display.

Ezri Konsa - 8.0: A colossal performance at the heart of the defence. His 98% pass accuracy is simply outstanding for a center-back. He made a crucial clearance off the line and was imperious throughout. From our perspective, he was a calm, commanding presence who snuffed out danger effortlessly.

Tyrone Mings - 6.0: Much like Jiménez for Fulham, his game was sadly cut short by injury. In his 32 minutes, he looked steady enough, but he didn't have enough time to truly influence the proceedings. Villa will be hoping his injury isn't serious.

Lucas Digne - 8.0: A fantastic outing for the Frenchman. He provided a brilliant assist for the crucial equalizer and was a constant threat on the left. He also put in the defensive work, winning his duels and recovering the ball. A complete full-back performance.

Midfielders

John McGinn - 8.5: This was a true captain's display. He scored an absolute stunner from outside the box to put Villa ahead. He was everywhere, driving his team forward with relentless energy and passion. The yellow card was the only minor blot on an otherwise dominant and game-changing performance.

Harvey Elliott - 6.5: He played for 45 minutes and was neat and tidy in possession. However, he failed to make a significant impact in the final third. It felt like a functional performance without the creative spark Villa needed, which explains his half-time substitution.

Lamare Bogarde - 6.5: A steady if unspectacular game from the midfielder. He kept the ball moving with 100% pass accuracy, which is impressive. But he didn't offer much in terms of creativity or defensive bite before being substituted.

Morgan Rogers - 9.0: Our Man of the Match. What an absolutely sensational performance. He was the creative genius behind Villa's victory, providing two assists and creating three huge chances. His vision, weight of pass, and decision-making were on another level. He completely ran the show and was the architect of Fulham's downfall.

Evann Guessand - 7.0: A powerful and hardworking performance. He won eight duels and was a constant nuisance for the Fulham defence. While his end product could have been better, his physical presence and work rate created space and opportunities for others.

Forwards

Ollie Watkins - 8.0: Scored the vital equalizing goal with a sharp finish. His movement off the ball was a nightmare for Fulham's defenders all afternoon. He was clinical when it mattered and his goal shifted the momentum of the entire match. A top-class striker's performance.

Substitutes

Emiliano Buendía - 7.5: What an impact. Came on at halftime and scored the third goal just six minutes later. His energy and directness were exactly what Villa needed.

Pau Torres - 7.0: Replaced the injured Mings and slotted in seamlessly. He was composed and helped ensure Fulham had no way back into the game.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 8.0: A tactical masterstroke. His team looked lost in the first half, but his half-time substitutions and team talk completely transformed the game. He identified the issues, made the right changes, and his team responded with a devastating display that secured all three points. This win had his fingerprints all over it.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Morgan Rogers