The Premier League table glowed in Leon's mind, a constant reminder of their new quest: 6th place.

The competition was relentless. He'd just finished a light recovery session, the ache in his muscles a familiar companion, but his mind was already on the next challenge.

He checked the league's top scorer and assist charts, his 'sight' automatically activating to reveal the 'Current' ratings of the players.

Premier League Top Scorers:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 29 Goals (Current: 89)

Alexander Isak (Newcastle) - 23 Goals (Current: 86)

Erling Haaland (Man City) - 22 Goals (Current: 92)

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) - 20 Goals (Current: 82)

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) - 20 Goals (Current: 79)

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 16 Goals (Current: 86)

Premier League Assist Leaders:

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 18 Assists (Current: 89)

Jacob Murphy (Newcastle) - 12 Assists (Current: 82)

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 11 Assists (Current: 88)

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) - 11 Assists (Current: 87)

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) - 11 Assists (Current: 81)

Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) - 11 Assists (Current: 80)

Anthony Elanga (Nottm Forest) - 11 Assists (Current: 79)

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 8 Assists (Current: 86)

Leon scrolled down the lists, then mentally calculated his own stats.

Eight goals, ten assists. He was right there, among the top players, especially for assists.

Ollie Watkins (Current: 86) was also having a phenomenal season, cementing his place as Villa's main striker.

Fulham next. They were a tricky side, known for their disciplined defensive shape and quick counter-attacks, often using their wingers to create overloads and their full-backs to overlap.

Marco Silva's teams were tactically flexible, emphasizing possession but also capable of direct play. Leon knew he'd have to be on his toes.

The training sessions leading up to the Fulham match were intense.

Coach Emery had them working on breaking down compact defenses, focusing on quick passing, intelligent runs, and exploiting wide areas.

Leon, with his 'Current: 92', was at the heart of every drill. He used his 'sight' to perfection, seeing the subtle 'shifts' in defensive lines, the 'ghosted runs' of his teammates.

During one drill, practicing through balls against a simulated low block, Leon received the ball from Douglas Luiz (Current: 85).

He saw a narrow 'gap' between two cones, representing Fulham's center-backs. He then saw a 'ghosted arc' for Ollie Watkins (Current: 86), making a darting run. Leon threaded a pinpoint pass, straight through the gap.

WHOOSH!

Watkins connected, firing it into the net.

"Yes, Leon! Ollie!" John McGinn (Current: 84) cheered. "That was impossible!"

"It's all about finding the space, John," Leon grinned, but his 'sight' confirmed it was getting easier to find those impossible passes.

He also worked closely with Alex Turner (Current: 81), who was still developing rapidly. "Alex," Leon instructed during a dribbling drill, "when you see the defender's 'outstretched leg' coming, don't just go past him. Anticipate his weight shift.

Use a feint, then explode into the space he leaves behind." Alex nodded, absorbing every word, his 'Current' visibly climbing as he practiced.

The day of the Fulham match arrived, a bright, sunny afternoon. The mood at Villa Park was optimistic. Fans streamed into the stadium, clad in claret and blue, anticipating another win to solidify their European push.

Leon felt a buzz of excitement. This was his stage. He walked out of the tunnel to a roar, feeling the energy of the crowd. He scanned the Fulham lineup:

João Palhinha (Potential: 87, Current: 85), their formidable defensive midfielder; Andreas Pereira (Potential: 86, Current: 83), a creative spark; Raúl Jiménez (Potential: 85, Current: 82), their experienced striker.

The referee blew his whistle. KICKOFF!

Fulham, as expected, were well-organized defensively, forming a compact block in midfield.

They pressed in a controlled manner, trying to force Villa wide. Leon found himself working hard, trying to pick apart their defensive lines.

"A tight start here at Villa Park! Fulham's defensive shape is excellent, frustrating Aston Villa in these opening exchanges! Leon Fischer is trying to pull the strings in midfield, but it's tough going!"

Leon used his 'sight' to identify the subtle 'rotations' in Fulham's wide areas, the way their fullbacks and wingers interchanged positions.

He saw a 'ghosted overlap' from Antonee Robinson (Potential: 86, Current: 84), Fulham's left-back. Leon immediately shifted his position, cutting off the passing lane, forcing Fulham to go backwards.

Around the 20th minute, Villa broke the deadlock. Leon received the ball from Douglas Luiz (Current: 85) deep in midfield.

He saw a fleeting 'gap' in Fulham's compact midfield, a tiny window of opportunity. He hit a quick, incisive through ball. Ollie Watkins (Current: 86) latched onto it, surging into the box.

Watkins was one-on-one with Bernd Leno (Potential: 87, Current: 85). Leon saw the 'leg-and-ball' projection from Watkins, a powerful shot aiming for the bottom corner.

But he also saw Leno's 'body shift', anticipating the power.

"OLLIE! CHIP!" Leon screamed, purely on instinct.

Watkins, trusting Leon's uncanny shouts, gently chipped the ball over the diving Leno! SWISH!

GOOOAL!

GOOOAL! ASTON VILLA 1 - Fulham 0!

Villa Park erupted! Leon ran to celebrate with Watkins.

Another assist, another chip. Their secret weapon was unstoppable!

Fulham, stung by the goal, pushed higher. They started playing more directly, looking for quick turnovers. Leon found himself in a fierce midfield battle with João Palhinha (Current: 85), Fulham's relentless defensive midfielder.

Palhinha was a brick wall, but Leon used his 'sight' to predict Palhinha's powerful tackles, often evading them with quick touches.

Around the 35th minute, Villa scored again. Leon received the ball from John McGinn (Current: 84) in midfield. He saw a 'ghosted counter-movement' from Moussa Diaby (Current: 85), who dropped deep, then burst into space behind Fulham's high line.

Leon hit a magnificent, curling pass that landed perfectly at Diaby's feet. Diaby, with his blistering pace, ran clean through, and slotted it past Leno.

BOOM! GOOOAL! ASTON VILLA 2 - Fulham 0!

Villa Park was in raptures! Leon high-fived McGinn.

This was a dominant performance!

The first half ended 2-0 to Villa. The dressing room was buzzing. Coach Emery nodded, pleased. "Excellent first half. Clinical. Leon, your passes are dissecting them. Keep it up."

The second half began with Fulham pressing with renewed intensity.

They brought on Harry Wilson (Potential: 86, Current: 83) for more creativity. Leon found himself working hard, his 'sight' predicting Fulham's more direct approach.

Around the 60th minute, Fulham pulled one back. A quick counter-attack, and Andreas Pereira (Current: 83) received the ball on the edge of the box.

Leon saw the 'leg-and-ball' projection, a powerful shot coming. He slid in, but the shot deflected off a defender, wrong-footing Emiliano Martínez (Current: 85) and trickling into the net.

GOOOAL! ASTON VILLA 2 - Fulham 1!

A nervous murmur went through Villa Park. Fulham had a goal back. Leon felt the pressure mount.

Villa responded quickly. Leon received the ball, saw the 'ghosted shift' from Fulham's defense, and hit a precise through ball to Ollie Watkins (Current: 86), who was through on goal again. Watkins calmly finished it, burying it past Leno.

GOOOAL! ASTON VILLA 3 - Fulham 1!

The relief in Villa Park was palpable! Leon celebrated with his teammates. Three-one! That should be enough!

The final whistle blew. A dominant 3-1 victory for Aston Villa. Leon walked off the pitch, exhausted but immensely satisfied. He had played a central role, his 'sight' proving invaluable against Fulham's tricky tactics.

Back in the dressing room, the celebration was vibrant. John McGinn (Current: 84) thumped him on the back. "What a performance, Leo! Fulham couldn't get near you!"

Ollie Watkins (Current: 86), with his two goals, gave him a knowing wink.

"Thanks for the chips, mate! You're making my job too easy!"

Leon chuckled, his 'Current: 84' glowing with a quiet triumph.

He was still leading the assist charts, and his goal tally was growing. He looked around at his teammates, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie. They were a team on the rise, and he was at the heart of it.

Later, Leon was scrolling through his Facelook, seeing congratulatory messages pour in.

He saw a post from Byon (Current: 85):

"Great win, Villa! @LeonFischer still chipping goals for @OllieWatkins. Looks like I need to get more goals to catch up on those market values, eh, Leo?"

Leon grinned, typing a reply: "You just keep scoring those solo screamers, Byon! I'll keep the assists coming.

And don't worry, my market value is just getting started!"

He then checked the updated Premier League table.

Arsenal - 55 points

Manchester City - 53 points

Liverpool - 49 points

Tottenham - 45 points

Manchester United - 43 points

Aston Villa - 45 points

Chelsea - 41 points

Brighton - 38 points

Fulham - 34 points

Newcastle United - 30 points

Aston Villa was still in 6th place, now tied on points with Liverpool! Only four points behind Tottenham in 4th place.

The dream of Champions League football felt closer than ever. He closed his eyes, already envisioning the next match, the next challenge. He was Leon Fischer, and he was going to take Aston Villa to the very top.