FINAL WE CAIRN!
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They were cynical towards him. But I don’t want to use that as an excuse.
“We didn’t do enough around Jack. We were better in the second half.
“But that wouldn’t be hard.
“We were too deep, too respectful. We didn’t keep it well enough.
“And the feeling? Well, it’s one of utter disappointment.” ASTON VILLA will have to fill a huge financial black hole this summer after their Premier League dreams died. The former European champions are resigned to losing a few of their prized assets after they fell at the final hurdle. Villa do have concerns over meeting Financial Fair Play but more worrying are the ongoing commitments. 2 ............ Shots on Target ......... 3 6 ........... Shots off Target ......... 9 4 ............. Blocked Shots .......... 3 0 ................... Corners ................ 3 14 ..................... Fouls .................. 15 3 ................... Offsides ................. 1 4 ............... Yellow Cards ............. 1 0 ................. Red Cards ............... 1 79.3 ...... Passing Success .... 81.9 16 ................... Tackles ................ 14 56.3 ...... Tackles Won % ..... 42.9 49 .............. Possession ............ 51 53 ........ Territorial Adv % ..... 47 392 ........... Total Passes ........ 419 19 ............. Total Crosses ........... 9 39.1 .......... 1st Half Poss ....... 60.9 62.3 ....... 2nd Half Poss . ...... 37.7 played for the club this season. And that wage bill is proving prohibitive for owner Dr Tony Xia with losses running into tens of millions of pounds.
That means a swingeing reduction in costs will have to take place – with the likelihood that Villa will have to cash in on their on-field assets.
Talented youngster Jack Grealish is the most likely to be sacrificed as he will command a £20m-plus fee.
Defender James Chester, along with strikers Jonathan Kodjia and Albert Adomah, are the most likely to be off-loaded as Villa seek to make good those losses. JOHNSTONE Few shots to save in an otherwise competent performance ELMOHAMADY Rarely felt able to move forward because of threat from Sessegnon CHESTER
Bullied by Mitrovic in first half, improved after break TERRY Calm, steadying presence, only exposed once during the match HUTTON
Villa fans call him ‘The Scottish Cafu’, but exposed for goal JEDINAK
Fulham passed around him in first half, better after the break HOURIHANE Has a tendency to ghost through games. This was one of them ADOMAH Did his job in tracking Fredericks, but couldn’t find much in attack SNODGRASS Tried to give his side control, decent freekicks, but not a lot else GREALISH
Easily Villa’s best attacking threat, a menace throughout GRABBAN Anonymous. Did not provide the focal point his manager wanted SUBS: Onomah (for Jedinak, 77) 5; Kodjia (Elmohamady, 77) 6; Hogan (Hourinhane, 81) 5
BETTINELLI Great composure with his feet, good block from Grealish FREDERICKS Great energy going forward, gave Adomah little room to move ODOI
Cautioned for foul on Grealish. No complaint on second REAM
Outstanding. Not the captain, but a captain’s performance TARGETT Neat and tidy, but didn’t offer too much going forward MCDONALD Rarely wasted possession. Kept the Cottagers ticking over JOHANSEN He played his part, but not as influential as the other two midfielders CAIRNEY Looks tailor-made for the Prem. Silky on the ball and a lovely finish SESSEGNON Not hugely influential. But gave a beautiful killer pass for the goal KAMARA
Worked hard and a good outlet when team were under cosh MITROVIC Another outstanding display. Gave defender Chester a torrid time SUBS: Norwood (for Johansen, 71) 6; Kalas (Kamara, 78) 6; Christie (Fredericks, 83) 6