Premier League 2025-26: Watkins sparks Aston Villa revival for first league win of season

Ollie Watkins ended his barren spell in front of goal as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 for its first Premier League win of the season on Sunday, reports Sportstar.
Champions League quarter-finalists last season, Villa began the day in the relegation zone after taking just three points from its opening five league games.
Unai Emery’s men got off to another woeful start when Raul Jimenez headed in Sasa Lukic’s corner after just three minutes.
Fulham felt aggrieved not to be further ahead after bossing the opening half hour. Twice, the visitor was denied strong penalty appeals.
Josh King was harshly booked for diving when he was clipped trying to round Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Matty Cash then escaped claims for handball when he blocked King’s goal-bound effort. Watkins’ long wait for a goal has played a major factor in Villa’s slow start to the season.
The England international even missed from the penalty spot in Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win over Bologna.
However, his 11-game scoreless streak came to an end with a cushioned lob over Bernd Leno to turn the game around just before half-time.
Villa then took control with two goals in as many minutes just after the break. John McGinn blasted into the bottom corner from outside the box to give the home side the lead.
Another Watkins burst in behind created the third as his low cross was fired in by Emi Buendia. The victory lifts Villa up to 16th, two points behind Fulham, which slips to 10th.
Arsenal strikes late to win 2-1 at Newcastle
Arsenal produced a dramatic late fightback to win 2-1 at Newcastle and lay down an early marker in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners were heading for a fourth consecutive defeat at St. James’ Park after falling behind to Nick Woltemade’s first-half header. However, Mikel Merino headed in the equaliser before Gabriel Magalhaes powered in from a 96th-minute corner to lift Arsenal into second and within two points of leaders Liverpool.