Fulham 2-0 Villa - HT: First-half goals from Steve Sidwell and - TopicsExpress

Fulham 2-0 Villa - HT: First-half goals from Steve Sidwell and Dimitar Berbatov left Villa facing a big task at Craven Cottage. Former Villa midfielder Sidwell stretched to scoop an effort past Brad Guzan from a tight angle on 21 minutes, following neat interplay from Berbatov and Ashkan Dejagah. Then on the half hour mark, Berbatov stroked home a penalty after Leandro Bacuna brought down Alexander Kacaniklic. The hosts also forced Brad Guzan into action twice. Firstly the American goalkeeper tipped Berbatov’s header on to the bar and then later in the half he got down low to tip an effort from the Bulgarian behind. A lightning Villa counter-attack almost led to a goal but Christian Benteke headed wide from Gabby Agbonlahor’s left-wing cross.