Steven Gerrard was relieved of his duties as Aston Villa manager as Fulham secured a comfortable victory at Craven Cottage.
Gerrard left the Midlands club in 17th place, level on points with 18th-placed Wolves but above their rivals on goals.
Harrison Reid put the home side ahead, drilling home after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez punched a corner into the midfielder’s path.
Andreas Pereira went close on two occasions, while Aleksandar Mitrovic had a far-post header cleared off the line by Tyrone Mingus as Fulham dominated the first half.
Villa’s evening went from bad to worse after the hour mark, when the video assistant referee showed Douglas Luiz a straight red card after headbutting Mitrovic in an off-the-ball dispute.
The home side wasted little time capitalizing on their numerical advantage, with Mitrovic doubling their lead from the penalty spot after the striker’s shot was deflected onto the arm of Matty Cash. Martinez managed to get both hands on Mitrovic’s effort but was unable to keep it out.
The visitors’ woes were fulfilled when Mingus turned Niskins Cabano’s low cross into his own net – a goal that was greeted with chants of “Steven Gerrard, get out of our club”.
Villa Fans Turn on Gerrard.
After carrying their players off the field following Sunday’s home defeat by Chelsea, Villa supporters once again showed their emotions as the visitors limped off the Craven Cottage pitch at half-time – and then into the final stages of the contest. I.
Indefensible chants of “you’re being kicked out” rang out around the ground after Mingus’ own goal, which capped a disappointing performance from the away side in west London.
Only Mingus’ goal-line clearance and several impressive saves from Martinez kept the scoreline down in the first half.
It could have been much worse for Villa, who gave Marco Silva’s side too much space in the final third – particularly on Fulham’s left – while offering precious little as an attacking threat.
The decision to replace striker Danny Ings with Lander Dendoncker after Luiz’s dismissal was met with derision from the away supporters, many of whom chanted “we want Gerrard out” in the direction of the Villa dugout. They were chanting.
Former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard said before the game that his side were “very close to where we want to be” in terms of performance levels – but Thursday’s defeat was too much for Villa’s ratings.
