Keeper Suzuki’s error helps much-improved Fulham secure point

Fulham earned a point at Aston Villa after a goalkeeping error by Zion Suzuki cancelled out Nicolas Jackson’s first-half opener.

Suzuki let Alex Iwobi’s in-swinging corner slip through his fingers and over the line midway through the second half, a fitting reward for a Fulham side who had created the better chances.

Former Chelsea striker Jackson had put Villa ahead six minutes before the break, turning Timothy Castagne and David Affengruber before finishing for his eighth goal in 10 games.

Fulham were fortunate not to fall behind earlier. A VAR review penalised Sander Berge for handball, but John McGinn smashed the resulting penalty against the crossbar.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side had plenty of opportunities of their own. Iwobi blazed over from close range inside five minutes, and Suzuki made fine saves to deny Oscar Bobb and Josh King before half-time.

After the break, Antonee Robinson was a constant threat on the left. Gonzalo Garcia was thwarted when Suzuki got a hand to Robinson’s cross, Boubacar Kamara deflected a goalbound flick over his own bar, and Suzuki saved Iwobi’s header, with Victor Lindelof blocking Garcia’s follow-up.

Villa almost snatched victory in stoppage time, but Torres headed wide from close range when unmarked from an Emiliano Buendia free-kick.

Fulham are now unbeaten in three league games and up to 15th in the table.