Latest: Fulham 1 Aston Villa 0 – Sidwell blasts Whites in front
Steve Sidwell gave Fulham a deserved lead on 21 minutes.
Rene Meulensteen’s side have been zipping the ball about attractively and got the reward their play deserved when the midfielder tucked away after a fine move.
Earlier, Fulham fans wanted a penalty when Dimitar Berbatov appeared to be pushed as he tried to meet an Alex Kacaniklic cross.
From the resultant corner, the Bulgarian did get a header away, only for Villa keeper Brad Guzan to tip it on to the woodwork.
Kacaniklic also saw a curling effort cleared off the line by Nathan Baker, as a scrambling Villa defence failed to cope with Fulham’s movement in the box.
The visitors’ only chances of note has come following swift counter-attack, with Gabriel Agbonlahor crossing for Christian Benteke, whose glancing header flashed wide across goal.
Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Hughes, Senderos, Riise; Dejagah, Parker, Karagounis, Sidwell, Kačaniklić; Berbatov.
Subs: Stockdale, Zverotic, Richardson, Kasami, Duff, Ruiz, Christensen.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook