Parker lauds Fulham for outstanding performance in the win over Aston Villa

Fulham coach has lauded his lads over their exceptional performance against the premiership side, Aston Villa.

The Cottagers got back to winning ways by beating the top-flight side 2-1 in an FA Cup tie at Craven Cottage.

In an interview with BBC Sport after the game, Parker said the most important thing was the result, but the team gave out an outstanding performance.

The manager who pointed out that the Whites caused Astion Villa a lot of problems said his players got into the right areas to get the needed result.

While noting that winning becomes a habit like losing, Parker said the win was needed to instill a winning mentality and a habit of being winners, which he admitted is going to take time.

Parker, who also acknowledged that the mentality doesn’t become part pf a team with just a just click of fingers, added that “games like this help against very good opposition.”

On his part, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith who noted that he had a much-changed side than the one that won 2-1 at Burley in the last premier league game, added that he had to rotate and manage his squad.

Smith who also stated that there was not too much difference in the game than Fulham scoring two wonder goals to progress to the next round of the competition said, however, the FA Cup means a lot to Aston Villa, but not the team’s top priority list given the injuries it has and the upcoming games.

While noting that it was also an opportunity for players to show they want first-team action, he said some performed well while some didn’t deliver.

Having suffered three successive defeats in the domestic front, Fulham finally produced an excellent second-half performance to oust Aston Villa 2-1 in the Emirates FA Cup third round.

With the match ending goalless in the first interval, Anthony Knockaert gave the host the perfect start to the second half with a sumptuous strike.

Aston Villa leveled matters in the 53rd minute through Anwar El Ghazi.
Harry Arter, who returned from injury, restored the team’s lead with a wonderful effort in the 74th minute, and they never looked back.

Arsenal square up against Leeds in the last FA Cup fixture. Arsenal are fancied at 1.48, while Leeds United are backed at 6.17

 

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed