Fulham 3 Aston Villa 1: Big Match Verdict

May 9 2009

Fulham kept their European dreams alive with a comfortable win over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

A brace from Diomansy Kamara and a penalty by captain Danny Murphy ensured the Cottagers overcame a poor Villa side who re-established parity at the interval thanks to a strike from Ashley Young.

But Kamara struck twice in the second half to push Fulham into seventh place and keep them on course for a place in next season's Europa League.

Villa remained in fifth spot but only because Everton failed to beat Tottenham at Goodison Park.

Villa had the first chance of the game when Gabriel Agbonlahor fired wide after getting on the end of a headed knock down by John Carew in the first minute.

Seconds later Fulham replied with Erik Nevland heading into the arms of Brad Friedel following a cross from Paul Konchesky.

Fulham took the lead in the seventh minute when James Milner was adjudged to have fouled Kamara inside the penalty area.

Captain Murphy beat Friedel from the spot to put the home side in front.

Nevland should have made it two in the 11th minute when the ball rebounded kindly to him from the feet of Konchesky.

However, the Fulham striker curled the ball over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

But Villa were level in the 14th minute when a cross from Milner eluded the home defence and England international Ashley Young provided the finish at the far post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to deal with a cross from Luke Young in the 22nd minute as Carew lurked with intent.

But the home side almost regained the lead in the 31st minute when Kamara's shot was deflected over the crossbar by Stiliyan Petrov.

Murphy's free-kick found Nevland in the penalty area but the Fulham striker headed the ball straight at Friedel.

In the 34th minute, Nevland got on the end of a fine pass from Murphy but his cross into the penalty area was easily cleared by Villa.

Murphy was booked for bringing down Agbonlahor in the 37th minute as the Villa and England striker looked to break free.