MX23RW : Monday, November 25 02:36:42| >> :600:108316:108316:
[monks data]
Swansea logo
Premier League
Mar 19, 2016 at 5.30pm UK
 
Aston Villa logo

1-0

Fernandez (53')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Federico Fernandez goal moves Swansea City further clear of relegation zone

Federico Fernandez's goal early in the second half decides the game, as Swansea City see off bottom side Aston Villa 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City have defeated Aston Villa 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium to climb 11 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

A poor and flat contest in South Wales was decided by Federico Fernandez's goal early in the second half, leaving a slightly improved Villa side rooted well adrift at the foot of the table.

The Swans' third win in four will now likely be enough to ensure another campaign of top-flight football, but they will have to improve on this showing if they are to officially confirm survival in the coming weeks.

Federico Fernandez celebrates scoring with Leroy Fer during the Premier League game between Swansea City and Aston Villa on March 19, 2016© Getty Images

The visitors produced arguably their best first-half display of the season, without truly being able to trouble Lukasz Fabianski in the Swansea goals.

Nine minutes had passed before the first shot arrived - a slack piece of Jack Cork play being capitalised on by Jordan Ayew, who could only blast over with a man in support.

A big talking point arrived midway through the half when Ashley Williams, unhappy with being grappled to the ground by Rudy Gestede, shoved his opponent's face with his hand to receive just a telling-off from Mike Dean.

Villa were still very much the team on top, however, and they had another good opening to make a breakthrough when Ciaran Clark headed over unmarked from a corner 25 minutes in.

Just when Swansea finally appeared to be growing in confidence a little, a cross from the right was well met by Gestede to force Fabianski into a save - the only time either keeper was called into action all half.

Rudy Gestede and Ashley Williams have a scuffle during the Premier League game between Swansea City and Aston Villa on March 19, 2016© Getty Images

Gestede and Clark both came close once more in the dying embers of an opening 45 minutes largely dominated by the basement boys, only for their respective attempts to fall short of the target.

City boss Francesco Guidolin, back on the sidelines after a three-match absence with a chest infection, brought on Leon Britton for Ki Sung-yueng at the interval but the hosts still remained unbalanced.

Despite being far from their best, Swansea were ahead less than 10 minutes into the second half when Fernandez bundled home his first goal for the club.

A free kick into the box, coming after the already-booked Aly Cissokho had pulled back on Modou Barrow, was not met by Guzan to allow Fernandez - who knew little about it - to bundle the ball home from the Swans' first on-target attempt.

Swansea, who can now hold claim to back-to-back home wins for the first time since August, struggled to truly build on their opener in a quiet end to the match.

Ki Sung-Yeung and Jordan Veretout in action during the Premier League game between Swansea City and Aston Villa on March 19, 2016© Getty Images

Joleon Lescott's flicked header was easily handled by Fabianski in the final 15 minutes of the game, proving to be the closest either side came to adding to the scoreline.

Swansea had the simple task of seeing out the remainder of game with relative ease, making their end-of-season run-in now seem a little simpler to navigate.

ID:268892: cacheID:268892:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7048:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jack Cork of Swansea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Swansea City at Vicarage Road on September 12, 2015
Read Next:
Jack Cork: 'Don't write Swansea off'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!