Marco Silva pleased to see Fulham shine in the sun and boost drive for Europe

By Robert O'Connor, Press Association

Marco Silva said Fulham played “on the grass, not the beach” after they kept their European challenge alive with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

Ryan Sessegnon hit the winner late in the first half as the hosts drew level on points with Chelsea and Brentford in a tightly packed Premier League table.

It was only a second win in six games for Silva’s side, whose inconsistency may yet prove an obstacle in their top-seven pursuit, but in glorious conditions and backed by a vociferous crowd, they showed the heights they are capable of reaching.

Silva said: “Did you see us on the beach today? “It was early kick-off, sunny moment, but it was to be on the grass, not on the beach.”

The goal to beat Unai Emery’s lacklustre side came in the 43rd minute. Emiliano Martinez’s quick reflexes kept out Sasa Lukic’s header, but Villa were slow to clock the threat of the lurking Sessegnon who fired between the legs of Ezri Konsa on the goal line.

“This about being on the beach is not something I recognise at all in our players,” said Silva. “It’s much more about quality and capacity to win games than to be on the beach.”

Timothy Castagne headed the ball in for a second time from Lukic’s corner midway through the second half but Sander Berge was penalised for impeding Martinez.

Fulham held on though to lay down a challenge to their rivals for Europe.

“It was crucial,” said Silva. “I’m really ambitious and demanding and I want this club to go as far as can be. I’m pushing everybody forwards. Sometimes probably too much, but it’s the way I see football. It’s the way I live in my job. It’s not a simple job but it’s something that I love.”

Villa were complicit in their own downfall and poor throughout. Not since their eight-game winning run ended in late December have they won back-to-back matches in the league and that sequence continued in west London, though they still have a healthy advantage in the race for a Champions League place.

They threatened Bernd Leno’s goal only twice in the first half, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins firing wide from promising positions.

Both players were out to impress watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, though neither can be satisfied with their performances.

“It’s not easy to shoot in the goal,” said Emery of his shot-shy team, who perhaps had one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest. That Emery brought off Watkins, Rogers and Youri Tielemans whilst his side were chasing the game suggests so.

“Nothing to tell the players about it. We must practice it, and try to get clinical.

“Today, we didn’t work well to shoot when we were in good positions to score. In Nottingham two weeks ago, Watkins (had) the same chance.

“Every day we must try to practice things we want to improve. We must now practice and get better.”