Fulham’s reserves slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa as they were comprehensively outplayed by the defending champions at Motspur Park tonight.
Villa maintained their 100 per cent start to the new campaign with a comfortable win secured by a penalty from skipper Barry Bannan and a brace from Andreas Weimman. It could have been much worse for Fulham as goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler made two fine early saves from Weimann and Bannan.
The visitors grabbed a deserved lead shortly before the break when Luca Moscatiello crudely stopped a storming run from Nathan Delfouneso. Bannan stepped up to send Zuberbuhler the wrong way from the penalty spot.
A defensive mistake was the worst possible way to the start the second half as Weimann seized upon a weak back-pass to run in on goal and finish clinically from close range. James Collins, on as a substitute, saw his clever chip come back off a post and he then made Villa’s third for Weimann in the closing moments.
FULHAM RESERVES (4-4-2): Zuberbuhler; Marsh-Brown, Anderson, Sanchez, Watts; Dikgacoi, Moscatiello, Seol, Smith; Uwezu, E. Johnson (Hosen 65). Subs (not used): Pritchard, Jones, Trotta.
ASTON VILLA RESERVES (4-4-2): Marshall; Lichaj (Forrester 90), Roome, Hofbauer, Clark; Baker, Albrighton, Osbourne, Bannan; Delfouneso (Collins 55), Weimann (McGurk 90). Subs (not used): Bevan, Roberts.
GOALS: Bannan (pen 43), Weimann (50, 90).
