How Tielemans’ Game-Changing Moment Ignited Villa’s Charge to Keep Top-Five Hopes Alive

Aston Villa’s charge up the Premier League table gained fresh momentum at Villa Park last Saturday, thanks to a lone but telling header from Youri Tielemans. That early strike—snapped up from a John McGinn corner—was the kind of gritty, calculated moment that perfectly encapsulates the Belgian midfielder’s season-long hustle. Watching Emery’s side fend off Fulham’s advances, despite a slew of missed second-half chances, it became crystal clear: Villa’s fortress at home remains as daunting as ever, now unbeaten in 20 league outings there. This victory not only catapults them into a tight race, level on points with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, but it also keeps the tantalizing dream of back-to-back Champions League campaigns alive. Meanwhile, Fulham’s hopes for Europe next season took a hit, hanging nine points behind in eighth place. It’s a fascinating juncture—one where mental fortitude meets tactical nuance—and you can’t help but root for Emery’s men as they gear up for what promises to be a nail-biting sprint toward the top five. LEARN MORE

Unai Emery was full of praise for “fantastic” Youri Tielemans after the midfielder scored the only goal of the game Aston Villa beat Fulham to boost their hopes of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

The Belgian midfielder, who has started every league fixture for Emery’s side this season, headed home John McGinn’s corner on 12-minutes for what proved to be the winner at Villa Park on Saturday.

Villa, now 20 games unbeaten at home, missed a host of chances in the second-half but held on to secure a win that moves them level on points with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest and keeps their ambition of successive seasons in the Champions League firmly alive.

Defeat for Fulham, meanwhile, dents their push for a European spot next term. Marco Silva’s men are currently in eighth, nine points adrift of Villa.

Three points secured. Nine left to fight for. 👊 pic.twitter.com/AYS4bWKNLn

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 3, 2025

Tielemans has been a key part of Emery’s engine room this season, and the Villa boss was full of praise for the midfielder.

“He is really doing fantastic work. He is very, very professional,” Emery said.

“The mentality he has, really I appreciate in the highest level we can achieve”

Assessing the possibility of successive seasons in Europe’s elite club competition, Emery, who guided Villa to a place in the last eight this season, downplayed the club’s chances.

“We aren’t favourites and still aren’t,” Emery said.

“Of course winning today we are close to being in Europe. Our dream is to try to get Champions League and after the win today we can have chances.

“It was very, very important to win and at home feeling confident, feeling strong.”

Villa are next in action when they travel to Bournemouth next Saturday as the race for the top five looks set to go down to the wire.