Aston Villa 1 Fulham 0 - Report

Analysis

The striker celebrated his 27th birthday in style by netting his third goal in as many games when he volleyed home Albert Adomah's cross with just ten minutes to go, lighting up an otherwise tepid match at Villa Park.

Jordan Ayew missed a late chance to make it two as Villa made it seven points from their last three games.

Fulham, unbeaten on their travels, rarely threatened with a Sone Aluko shot their only effort on target.

The visitors had looked content to take a point and for much of the afternoon looked set to claim it before Kodjia pounced on an error by keeper David Button with devastating effect.

Victory continued a dream start for new Villa boss Steve Bruce whose team climbed to 16th in the table and built momentum heading into next Sunday's derby with Blues.

Bruce made two changes from the team which won 2-1 at Reading on Tuesday night, with Jordan Amavi and Jordan Ayew replacing Aly Cissokho and Adomah, who was only fit enough to make the bench with an ankle injury.

Fulham had conceded 13 goals in their previous five games and boss Slavisa Jokanovic's desire for his team to improve that record was evident during an opening half when they seemed content to defend and do little else.

The onus was on Villa to break them down yet they rarely looked like doing so, a Kodjia attempt which Button pushed round the post the only real drama of a horribly flat opening period.

The second half saw brought a minor improvement. Villa got a let-off within 90 seconds of the restart when Stefan Johansen's corner flashed across the face of goal.

Button was forced to tip over an Ayew free-kick but again the hosts rather huffed and puffed.

The spectacular nature of Kodjia's goal was therefore totally out of keeping with the rest of the game.

Fulham had almost a come a cropper on a couple of occasion when attempting to pass the ball out from the back and it proved their downfall as Adomah pounced on a loose ball from Button. The winger had the option of trying to chip the keeper but instead crossed for Kodjia who acrobatically volleyed home into the bottom corner.

Key moments

11 - Fulham keeper David Button is forced into the first save of the game, pushing behind Jonathan Kodjia's half volley at his near post.

18 - Leandro Bacuna heads wide from a deep Alan Hutton cross. The midfielder didn't make great contact.

27 - Button is again called into action, pushing away a low Jordan Ayew shot from distance.

42 - Sone Aluko has the first attempt on goal for Fulham. His shot is saved at the near post by Villa keeper Pierluigi Gollini.

45 - A burst of action at the end of an otherwise sleepy first-half. Button fumbles an Ayew free-kick behind. Fulham break from the corner and Nathan Baker blocks a Kevin McDonald shot behind.

47 - Villa receive a let-off as Stefan Johansen whistles across the face of goal with no Fulham player able to get the final touch.

53 - Kodjia tries his luck from long range but the effort flies well wide.

65 - Button tips another Jordan Ayew free-kick over the bar after Alan Hutton is fouled on the edge of the box.

80 - GOAL - Villa take the led as Kodjia gets his third in as many games, spectacularly firing home Albert Adomah's cross after Fulham give the ball away.

81 - Ayew misses a great chance to make it two. Firing wide when clean through.

90 - Villa again go close. Button saves from Kodjia and Adomah heads wide.

Man of the Match

Jonathan Kodjia.

Position in the table

16th, up one

Teams

Villa (4-3-3): Gollini, Hutton, Chester, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Jedinak (McCormack 73), Gardner, Ayew (Westwood 86), Gestede (Adomah 55), Kodjia Subs not used: Tshibola, Green, Cissokho, Bunn (gk).

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Button, Odoi, Sigurdsson, Madl, Sessegnon, McDonald, Parker ©, Piazon (Ayite 81), Johansen (Smith 81), Aluko (Cairney 67), Martin Subs not used: Fredericks, Malone, Ream, Bettinelli (gk).

Referee: Andrew Madley.