Swansea City's Federico Fernandez, second right, celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Saturday, March 19, 2016. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
SWANSEA, Wales (AP) - Federico Fernandez eased Swansea's Premier League relegation fears by scoring his first goal for the club to seal a 1-0 victory over bottom-place Aston Villa on Saturday.
Fernandez had not scored in 57 appearances since signing from Napoli in August 2014 but he chose the perfect moment to open his account.
Villa might have lost a man when Aly Cissokho was warned by the referee rather than receiving a second yellow card for bringing down Modou Barrow in the 53rd minute.
Villa was immediately punished anyway when goalkeeper Brad Guzan failed to collect Gylfi Sigurdsson's free kick and the ball rolled into an empty net off Fernandez's right shoulder.
Villa appears doomed after winning only three games all season. Swansea has an 11-point buffer above the drop zone.
Aston Villa's Alan Hutton, second left, and Swansea City's Jack Cork challenge for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Saturday, March 19, 2016. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Swansea City's Modou Barrow, center, is challenged by Aston Villa's Aly Cissokho during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Saturday, March 19, 2016. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Swansea City's Bafetimbi Gomis, second left, controls the ball watched by Aston Villa's Idrissa Gueye, second right, during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Saturday, March 19, 2016. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press