By Daily Review Online
Aston Villa missed the opportunity to secure a fourth consecutive Premier League victory after goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s costly error gifted Fulham a 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Saturday.
The result extended Fulham’s unbeaten run in the league to three matches and ended their seven-game losing streak at Villa Park.
Villa had an early opportunity to take the lead after a VAR review resulted in Fulham midfielder Sander Berge being penalised for handball following a header from Leon Goretzka.
However, John McGinn failed to convert the resulting penalty, sending his effort against the crossbar to the relief of the visiting supporters.
The hosts continued to push for the opening goal but were almost punished by a Fulham counter-attack shortly after the half-hour mark. Suzuki produced an impressive reaction save to deny Oscar Bobb.
Villa eventually broke the deadlock through Nicolas Jackson, who continued his impressive scoring form by driving into the penalty area and finishing past Bernd Leno.
The striker’s goal was his fifth in his last five Premier League appearances, giving Villa a 1-0 advantage at half-time.
Fulham returned with greater attacking intent after the break and began putting their hosts under pressure.
Leno kept Villa’s lead intact with an important save from Ian Maatsen’s deflected volley, while Suzuki was called into action again to stop Alex Iwobi.
Gonzalo Garcia also came close to scoring from the rebound, but his effort was deflected over the crossbar.
Fulham eventually found their equaliser from the resulting corner, with Suzuki making a costly mistake by accidentally dropping Iwobi’s inswinging delivery over his own goal line.
After goal-line technology confirmed the ball had crossed the line, both teams pushed for a winner during the closing stages.
Villa came closest to snatching all three points when Pau Torres headed narrowly wide of Leno’s left post.
Neither side could find a decisive goal, leaving Villa to settle for a point.
The result moved Unai Emery’s side up to ninth in the Premier League table, while Fulham climbed to 15th.
Despite his costly mistake, Suzuki was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.