Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham: Match Reaction

Fulham FC fell to Aston Villa in the final minutes. Although only four matches old, the Fulham side is falling into a disturbing pattern of play.

The White have been quick to jump into the lead, this time with American striker Clint Dempsey putting Fulham up 1-0 in the sixth minute of the game. The game see-sawed back and forth from there for the remainder of the half. Early in teh second half, the home team Aston Villa equalized on a goal by Ashley Young. With about 20 minutes left in the game, Fulham defender Chris Baird was sent off with his secon yellow card of the game. Finally, in injury time, Aston Villa grabbed all three points on a goal by Aston Villa substitute Shaun Maloney, who slotted the ball past American keeper, and recent Fulham acquisition, Kasey Keller.

Fulham drop to 19th on the League Table, but with six teams having a game in hand, Fulham may not remain in that position.

Fulham's three losses so far this season have come at the hands of Arsenel, Middlesbrough and now Aston Villa. In all three matches, Fulham have scored early, in the first minute against Arsenel, in the 16th minute against Middlesbrough and in the 6th minute against Aston Villa. In each of the three games, Fulham has lost in the final two minutes of regulation time and/or injury time. Against Arsenel, the Whites game up the game winner in final injury time. Against Middlesbrough, the game winner came in the 88th minute and finally on Saturday at Aston Villa, the fame was lost by Fulham in injury time.

I am not sure if the failings at the end of the match are a matter of fitness or if it is a matter of lack of mental focus at the end of the match. But clearly Lawrie Sanchez needs to figure out what the hell is going on, but cause the Football Assocaition is not going to shorten the matches. But Fulham needs to figure it out soon. After a Carling Cup match tomorrow against Shrewsbury, the Fulham September is going to be tough. On Sept. 1, the Whites will host Tottenham Hotspur (currently 17th in the table) and then play three of the top four teams on the current table in a row, the suprising Wigan Athletic (#3) on Sept. 15, Manchester City(#2) on the 22nd and league leaders Chelsea on Sept. 29.