Marco Silva praises 'quality' Aston Villa for what they did during win over Fulham

Fulham boss Marco Silva spoke after his side’s away defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. The Cottagers took an early lead through Raul Jimenez, who was eventually lost through injury, but in search of their first win of the season, Villa rallied back with an Ollie Watkins goal before half-time.

John McGinn scored just after the break, and Emi Buendia scored to wrap things up. It was a frustrating result for Fulham, who will have felt there was an opportunity to take home at least a point having gone into half-time on level terms.

Speaking after the game, Fulham boss praised Villa for their reaction and admitted his side struggled in the second half. “Completely two different halves, that is true,” he said. “Very good start from ourselves, I think the way we started the game was very, very good.

“Good goal from Raúl – prepared and executed from the players. Great corner, and very good header from Raúl. We knew how the game was going to be after that moment – I think we did use the high line really very well until the equaliser.

“Some good moments one-v-one with [Emiliano] Martinez with Josh [King], the other one with Josh as well, with Matty Cash in front of him. Some good, dangerous moments from us and always we were very well organised in our backline.

“We knew that they were going to try to get in behind, and that’s what hurts me more, because we knew it, we planned for it, we knew the way the ball is going to go in behind for Watkins or for another player. And because of that, I think that we have to blame ourselves for the way we conceded the three goals. I think we were too soft for the level that the Premier League demands at a side with the individual quality they have.

“The game was completely under control from ourselves – leading the score, more chances to score the second. And to concede the equaliser, from a long ball from a defender, you cannot concede that goal at this level that we are playing. Because of that, we have to blame ourselves – things that you can control. Things that you cannot control… it's happened too often this season so far for Fulham, and this afternoon was again another good example.

“It was a good reaction from [Villa], they equalised the game after the 1-0 and our very good start. Of course it gave them some confidence, the game was much more balanced in that moment, and after we were punished by the way we started the second half.

“It was a moment for us to react again, to start strong. We spoke at half-time, things to adjust, and we conceded two really poor goals, to be honest. We lost one ball from Adama in that moment, yes, but the way our two midfielders were set up on the pitch, we have to be much more in control of that moment. And the third goal was more or less the same situation. And, of course, when these things happen, it’s going to be much more difficult for us.”

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