Premier League 2026/27 · Saturday, 31 October 2026 · 8:00 PM GMT

The Aston Villa vs Fulham Premier League clash ended in a 1–1 draw at Villa Park on Saturday evening, 31 October 2026. Aston Villa looked on course for a home victory after Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring, but Fulham fought back in the second half to earn a valuable point.

John McGinn’s missed penalty was one of the biggest talking points of the match, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s second-half mistake allowed Fulham to get back into the game. Both sides had opportunities to find a winner, but neither could secure all three points.

For supporters looking for Aston Villa vs Fulham FC stats, lineups, player ratings, match timeline and head-to-head results, this guide covers the important details. It also looks at the teams’ performances, the key moments that shaped the result and what the draw means for their Premier League campaigns.

Aston Villa vs Fulham: Match Overview

The match took place at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday, 31 October 2026, with kick-off at 8:00 PM UK time (GMT).

Premier League · Full-time

Aston Villa

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Fulham

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The result was frustrating for Aston Villa, who had the advantage at half-time and an opportunity to extend their lead. Fulham, however, showed character after the break and made the most of their second-half pressure.

Aston Villa vs Fulham FC Stats

The match statistics reveal an interesting contest between two teams with different approaches. Fulham enjoyed more possession, while Aston Villa attempted more shots but struggled to test the opposition goalkeeper consistently.

What do the statistics tell us?

Three important details stand out:

• Fulham controlled possession: With 55% of the ball, Fulham were more successful at controlling the tempo, particularly after half-time.
• Fulham created better chances: Their expected goals figure of 2.21 was higher than Villa’s 1.71, suggesting they created more dangerous scoring opportunities.
• Villa struggled with accuracy: Despite taking 16 shots, only three were on target.

One important lesson from this match is that having more shots does not necessarily mean a team has played better offensively. Chance quality, shot placement and the pressure created around the penalty area are equally important.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Timeline: Key Match Events

The match included several important moments that influenced the final result.

First half: Aston Villa take the lead

16th minute – John McGinn misses a penalty

Aston Villa were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball involving Sander Berge. John McGinn stepped up to take the spot-kick but hit the crossbar.

It was a significant missed opportunity because an early goal could have forced Fulham to change their approach.

39th minute – Nicolas Jackson scores

Villa eventually found the breakthrough through Nicolas Jackson. Johan Manzambi supplied the pass, allowing Jackson to get past the Fulham defence and finish successfully.

His goal gave Aston Villa a 1–0 lead going into half-time.

Second half: Fulham respond

64th minute – Fulham equalise

Fulham increased their attacking pressure after the interval. Alex Iwobi delivered a corner into the penalty area, but Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki failed to hold the ball.

The ball crossed the goal line, resulting in an own goal and bringing the score to 1–1.

Final minutes – Both teams search for a winner

Aston Villa pushed forward in the closing stages, while Fulham focused on protecting their point. Pau Torres had late opportunities, but neither side managed to score again.

The referee eventually blew the final whistle, confirming a 1–1 draw.

Aston Villa vs Fulham FC Lineups

Both managers selected attacking-minded starting formations, with each team using a 4-2-3-1 system.

Aston Villa starting lineup

Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Zion Suzuki
• Defenders: Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen
• Midfielders: Boubacar Kamara, Leon Goretzka
• Attacking midfielders: Alysson, John McGinn, Johan Manzambi
• Striker: Nicolas Jackson

Villa made nine changes to their starting eleven following their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Bournemouth. Leon Goretzka also made his first Premier League start for the club.

Fulham starting lineup

Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
• Defenders: Timothy Castagne, David Affengruber, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson
• Midfielders: Sander Berge, Shea Charles
• Attacking midfielders: Oscar Bobb, Josh King, Alex Iwobi
• Striker: Gonzalo García

Fulham used an attacking structure with Iwobi and Bobb supporting García. Their midfield also played an important role in controlling possession and creating opportunities.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Player Ratings

Individual performances played an important role in the final result. Jackson was Villa’s main attacking threat, while Fulham benefited from strong contributions in midfield and attack.

Ratings can vary between football statistics platforms and are not necessarily official club awards.

Who was the man of the match?

Nicolas Jackson was one of Aston Villa’s standout performers. He scored the opening goal, completed three successful dribbles and recorded two shots.

His scoring form was another positive for Villa. His goal against Fulham was his eighth in ten games across competitions.

Fulham’s Oscar Bobb also deserves recognition for his attacking contribution, while goalkeeper Bernd Leno made important saves to keep the visitors in the contest.

Aston Villa vs Fulham FC Matches: Head-to-Head Record

Aston Villa have generally enjoyed better results in recent Premier League meetings with Fulham.

Before the October 2026 encounter, Villa had won eight of their previous ten Premier League meetings with Fulham, while Fulham had won two.

The latest draw adds another result to an increasingly competitive fixture.

Recent Premier League results

Overall head-to-head statistics

According to the historical record across competitions:

• Aston Villa wins: 31
• Draws: 23
• Fulham wins: 27

These figures include more than Premier League meetings, so they should not be confused with the league-only record.

The interesting point is that Villa’s recent Premier League advantage has been stronger than the overall historical difference. Fulham’s April 2026 victory and October 2026 draw also show that previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Prediction: What Can We Learn?

Before the match, Aston Villa had reasons to feel confident playing at Villa Park. Their recent league performances included victories against Manchester City and Newcastle United, while Fulham had also been collecting valuable points.

Looking at the completed match, three factors stand out.

1. Villa need to convert more chances.

Sixteen shots produced only one goal. McGinn’s missed penalty was particularly costly, and Villa could have established a more comfortable advantage before half-time.

2. Fulham can be dangerous when they control midfield.

Their 55% possession and higher expected-goals figure demonstrate that their approach worked, particularly after the interval.

3. Goalkeeping errors can change an entire result.

Suzuki had already made important saves, but his mistake on Iwobi’s corner changed the match. This demonstrates why a goalkeeper’s overall performance should not be judged by a single statistic.

What would have been a reasonable prediction?

Before kick-off, Aston Villa would have been a reasonable home-side preference, but a Fulham goal was also a realistic possibility.

The actual 1–1 result demonstrates why football predictions should be treated as probabilities rather than guarantees.

For future meetings, team availability, recent home and away form, expected goals and confirmed starting lineups will be important factors.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Standings: What Does the Draw Mean?

A Premier League draw gives each team one point.

For Aston Villa, the result represents a missed opportunity to collect three points at home. They had taken the lead but could not maintain their advantage.

For Fulham, earning a point away from home is a positive outcome, particularly after their improved second-half performance.

There is another important detail: Premier League standings can change depending on other clubs’ results. It is therefore better to consult the latest completed league table rather than rely on an outdated position.

Both clubs will now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures as the 2026/27 campaign continues.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Tickets: What Supporters Should Know

The 31 October fixture has finished, so tickets for this particular match are no longer available.

Supporters interested in attending the next meeting should look towards the reverse fixture.

Ticket prices and availability can vary depending on membership status, seating categories and the club’s sales schedule.

For genuine tickets, supporters should use authorised club ticketing channels. Be cautious of unofficial sellers offering unusually cheap tickets or requesting payment through personal accounts.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Live Stream Free: Where to Watch

For supporters searching for an Aston Villa vs Fulham live stream free option, the most important thing is to check legitimate broadcasters in their country.

Premier League broadcasting rights differ by region. A service showing matches in the UK may not have the rights to broadcast them in other countries.

As this fixture has already finished, viewers can check their regional broadcaster for full-match replays or highlights.

Avoid websites advertising free streams without clear broadcasting rights. Such websites can contain misleading advertisements, unwanted redirects and security risks.

FAQ

1. What was the final score of Aston Villa vs Fulham today?

Aston Villa and Fulham finished 1–1 in their Premier League match at Villa Park on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Nicolas Jackson scored for Villa in the 39th minute, while Zion Suzuki’s own goal levelled the score in the 64th minute.

2. What time did Aston Villa vs Fulham kick off in the UK?

The match kicked off at 8:00 PM GMT on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The game was played at Villa Park in Birmingham as part of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

3. Who scored in Aston Villa vs Fulham?

Nicolas Jackson scored Aston Villa’s goal after receiving a pass from Johan Manzambi. Fulham’s equaliser came from a mistake by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who allowed Alex Iwobi’s corner to cross the goal line.

4. Who was the best player in Aston Villa vs Fulham?

Nicolas Jackson was one of the standout performers for Aston Villa, scoring the opening goal and creating attacking problems for Fulham’s defence. Individual player ratings vary depending on the platform providing them.

5. How many times have Aston Villa and Fulham played each other?

According to historical head-to-head records, Aston Villa have won 31 matches, Fulham have won 27 and 23 encounters have ended in draws. These figures include different competitions, not just Premier League matches.

6. When is the next Aston Villa vs Fulham match?

The next scheduled Premier League meeting is Fulham vs Aston Villa on 23 January 2027 at Craven Cottage. Supporters should check official fixture announcements for any changes to the date or kick-off time.

Conclusion

The Aston Villa vs Fulham match was a reminder of how quickly a Premier League game can change. Villa had the opportunity to secure a home victory through Jackson’s opening goal, but McGinn’s missed penalty and Suzuki’s second-half mistake proved costly.

Fulham deserve credit for their response after half-time, particularly their improved possession and attacking pressure.

The 1–1 result gives both clubs a point, but there are lessons for each side. Villa need greater consistency in front of goal, while Fulham can take confidence from their ability to compete away from home.

For supporters, the most interesting part of this fixture is not simply the final score, but how the missed penalty, attacking statistics and second-half momentum shaped the outcome.