First booking of the game goes to Villa full-back Matt Targett who goes in late on Kenny Tete with the ball already gone.

Slight sniff of goal for Bobby De Cordova-Reid inside the area, but the Fulham man fails to control the ball and it runs through to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Fulham looking to get back on level terms but not like that.

Right-back Kenny Tete's cross into the area is cleared by Tyrone Mings.

Aleksandar Mitrovic caught on his heels a little.

Fulham defender Michael Hector was not best pleased with fellow centre-half Denis Odoi following the goal.

The pair engage in an animated conversation, though I feel it was rather one way.

Matt Upson
Former England and West Ham defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's all about the pass, it's a lovely ball by John McGinn with his left foot. Grealish made the run. It's almost like telepathy where he knows what McGinn can do. I thought Alphonse Areola could have done better.

Looking forward to more Jack Grealish wizardry today, a player I particularly enjoy watching and a real boost for Villa to sign him to a new deal.

Midfielder partner John McGinn sees a rasping drive blocked by Fulham defender Michael Hector.

Away we go at Craven Cottage.

Here come the players.

Managers, staff and subs have a long trek across the pitch to the dugouts.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith to Sky Sports: "It's a good start. It's really just continued on from the end of season last year. We wanted to continue that momentum, so far so good.

"I don't know how not to fall foul of it [new handball interpretation].

"I haven't discussed it with the players. I thought Roy Hodgson was excellent in his explanation. I don't think too many of us understand the interpretation."

Fulham

Fulham manager Scott Parker tells Sky Sports: "Every game you play is a new game and a chance win and get points on the board. We realise the quality Aston Villa have what they possess and the challenge we will face tonight. I also see an opportunity for us to cause them some problems.

"This is a team that I feel will cause them problems tonight and influence our style.

"We are not the only only team letting in a lot of goals, we would be silly not to be working on things, we are constantly doing that, we have a great bunch of players who want to improve.

"You have seen the handballs at the weekend other than using it to your advantage by flicking the ball up and getting a penalty.

"People want perfection and now we want it on the football field. I get goalline technology but we are scrutinising 90 minutes of football to the finest of detail and personally I don't feel it is right.

"We have to adapt whether we like it or not."

Here's an interesting take from Scott Parker on the new handball rule...

Premier League

Image source, Getty Images

The new handball ruling has already caused plenty of controversy in the Premier League this season.

It has been called "nonsense" by Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, who said it was "ruining the game", while Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says football has "lost the plot" with the new ruling.

So what is the new rule and what has changed?

Head here to find out

Is the Fulham pre-match entertainment always this stoked?

AC/DC on full blast followed by a bit of Prodigy, bit too much for me.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa have earned just one point from their past 10 Premier League fixtures in London since beating Tottenham in April 2015.

Tim Sherwood getting one over on his old side that day and look how much it meant to him...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham

Image source, Getty Images

None of Fulham's last 21 Premier League games have finished in a draw, winning just five of those fixtures and conceding 45 goals.

Fulham

Plenty of resources available out there for your perfect match but Fulham just cannot find a keeper.

Frenchman Alphonse Areola became the most recent of them when he conceded four goals on his debut against Leeds.

Image source, Getty Images

This is an interesting fixture.

Fulham have lost both games on their return to the top flight, while opponents Aston Villa - who escaped relegation on the final day last term - began with a victory.

We'll get a good idea of what sort of season they are in for.

The Cottagers have not lost their opening three league fixtures since 2014-15 (in the Championship), while Villa are aiming to begin a Premier League season with successive victories for only the third time.

Any guesses at the game on the telly in that pub?