Aston Villa's Matty Cash, left, and Fulham's Sasa Lukic battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Fulham at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) AP

A frantic first few minutes saw threatening actions from both sides, with Reece James, starting at actual right back, making a key intervention at one end and Noni Madueke wasting a good chance at the other (though he may have been offside).

Aston Villa and Chelsea have won home games and strengthened their hopes for a top five Premier League finish and a place in next year’s Champions League