Villa victorious in Sunday stroll

Aston Villa made light work of an unusually disappointing Fulham side at Villa Park on Sunday.

Paintsil own goal and Agbonlahor strike down off-the-boil Fulham

Aston Villa made light work of an unusually disappointing Fulham side as Martin O'Neill's men recorded a comfortable 2-0 Premier League victory at Villa Park on Sunday. The Cottagers, who were missing attacking personnel due to injuries, struggled to find their usual groove as their midweek trip to Russia appeared to take its toll on Roy Hodgson's charges. Villa, who were also in Europa League action on Thursday, took just three minutes to break the deadlock when John Paintsil diverted Ashley Young's near-post corner into his own net. Fulham failed to mount any threat of a comeback and the result was sealed 14 minutes into the second half as Gabriel Agbonlahor rifled home left-footed from 20 yards out.

Bounced back

It was the perfect pick-up for Villa after failing to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League after being beaten on away goals by Rapid Vienna. The Cottagers struggled to cope with the pace of Agbonlahor and Ashley Young plus the accurate passing of James Milner while Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell offered good support from midfield. Villa's territorial dominance was such that goalkeeper Brad Friedel was a virtual spectator for the entire 90 minutes and 19-year-old central defender Ciaran Clark was able to make an assured debut. Fulham looked pedestrian and lethargic after their own European exertions against Amkar Perm in Russia in mid-week and they missed the industry of injured midfielder Danny Murphy and front duo Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora. Villa needed only three minutes to break the deadlock but they were given a helping hand by their former defender Aaron Hughes and Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer in setting up the goal. Hughes sent a careless back pass towards Schwarzer who could only slice the ball out of play for a corner. Young's corner was flicked on by Carlos Cuellar and Cottagers defender Paintsil could only head the ball into his own net at the near post when under immense pressure from Agbonlahor. Fulham were knocked out of their stride by this early setback and Sidwell was only just too high with a curling effort after Agbonlahor had turned a dangerous ball from Nicky Shorey into his path. Villa were finding plenty of space down their left flank with Agbonlahor and Young looking to put Hughes and Paintsil under pressure. Shorey's through ball picked out the run of Agbonlahor and his low dangerous cross was turned away by Paul Konchesky at full stretch.

Senior bow

Sidwell then got on the end of a Young free-kick but directed his header wide and then Clark missed a good chance to mark his debut with a goal after 24 minutes. The England Under 19 international was unmarked when he got on the end of a Young corner but sent his header over the bar. Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu was relieved in trying to clear a Young corner when his header bounced over his own crossbar. Etuhu was guilty of a series of fouls and in the 39th minute became the first player to be yellow carded by referee Steve Bennett for bringing down Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov. Then Fulham newcomer Jonathan Greening was also cautioned for chopping down Milner. Schwarzer had a brief fitness test before play resumed and seemed to have a problem with his left thigh. There was a cagey opening to the second period although a fierce shot from Erik Nevland was blocked by Clark full in the face. Dempsey was only just too high with a fierce 25 yard free-kick after Petrov had brought down Diomansy Kamara. Milner showed positive intent but drilled his shot well wide from a narrow angle. Then after 59 minutes Villa gave themselves a two goal cushion with Agbonlahor's splendid goal. Milner played the ball inside to the England striker who bore down on the Fulham box before beating Schwarzer with a fierce 20 yard drive. O'Neill brought on striker John Carew in place of the impressive Reo-Coker with 20 minutes remaining. Sidwell picked up a late booking for a challenge on Dempsey.

Aston Villa	Team Statistics	Fulham
2	Goals	0
1	1st Half Goals	0
2	Shots on Target	0
5	Shots off Target	5
3	Blocked Shots	3
9	Corners	4
12	Fouls	9
5	Offsides	1
1	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
78.1	Passing Success	81.6
22	Tackles	17
77.3	Tackles Success	82.4
43.3	Possession	56.7
48.8	Territorial Advantage	51.2