Aston Villa kept themselves firmly in the race for Champions League qualification after edging out Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Youri Tielemans' powerful header from a corner in the 12th minute proved decisive at Villa Park, where Fulham's own European aspirations were potentially dented somewhat.

The Belgian also came close to a second on the stroke of half-time. His effort from range was bending in before Bernd Leno, at full-stretch, tipped it wide.

Fulham thought they had restored parity just five minutes after the break, but Ryan Sessegnon's volleyed equaliser was disallowed. The ball bounced up against his arm before he hit the shot, with the referee cutting their celebrations short.

The Cottagers failed to build on that momentum, despite half-chances for Harry Wilson and Joachim Andersen, though they were lucky not to lose by more.

After bursting in behind Ollie Watkins' backline, he was denied by Leno's outstretched leg, while Donyell Malen fired wide from very close range before rattling the crossbar deep in stoppage time.

Villa remain seventh on goal difference, having moved to 60 points, level with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, who play on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Fulham stay eighth on 51, but are in danger of slipping further down the standings by the end of the weekend.

Data Debrief: Villa show off set-piece prowess

In a first half of few chances, Villa's set-pieces proved to be their best chances of a goal, and Tielemans certainly took his.

John McGinn, making his 200th Premier League appearance, curled in the corner for Tielemans. Only Arsenal and Crystal Palace (both 16) have scored more such goals (excluding penalties) in the competition than Villa (15) this season. 

It was also Tielemans' 10th goal involvement of the season (three goals, seven assists), his joint-most in a single campaign in the Premier League (also in 2020-21 and 2021-22).

Villa are now unbeaten in their last 17 home games in the Premier League (W10 D7), their joint-longest run in the competition, also doing so between March and December 2023 (W16 D1).