Marco Silva's side temporarily moved into the top half of the Premier League ahead of the weekend's action and is now just two points behind sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion.

After a cagey opening, Morgan Rogers was presented with the game's first opportunity when he was set free down the right by John McGinn, but after cutting inside, he flashed his side just wide of the far post. 

The in-form Ollie Watkins then went close a minute later with England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on in the stands, but the visitors were made to rue those missed chances two minutes before the break.

Sasa Lukic saw his initial header brilliantly saved by Emiliano Martínez, only for the rebound to fall kindly to Sessegnon, who smashed the ball home from close range.

Fulham thought it had doubled its lead in the 65th minute when Lukic's deep corner was nodded in by Timothy Castagne, but the goal was ruled out by referee Michael Oliver for a foul on Martinez by Sander Berge.

Villa continued to push for a leveller and almost sealed a share of the spoils seven minutes from time, but Tammy Abraham, who scored the winning goal in their thrilling win over Sunderland last time out, fired over after beating Joachim Andersen with a fine bit of skill.

Villa remains just eight points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton with four games to go, with its UEFA Champions League spot still not confirmed.

And boss Unai Emery now anticipates a tough week ahead, facing Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final before hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a team fighting to stay in the top flight.

"We have lost a really good opportunity, the players did everything we were planning but we needed to be more clinical," Emery said.

"The match was pretty even – sometimes for us sometimes for them. We created a few chances to score, it was very difficult.

"They have good players and coach and to beat teams like Fulham is for us something we must work on because that can happen.

"It's going to be very difficult. My message is the same - keep going, keep trying to get better each week."

Fulham boss Marco Silva hailed his side's impressive defensive display against Villa.

"A great win for us. A massive three points," Silva said.

"We knew before the match it was like a must-win game for us if you want to keep competing for something special until the end of the season and keep us around the places for European competition.

"To keep them with zero goals in a game, with the capacity they have, I'm very pleased. We kept them very quiet."