Ridgewell pounces late to rescue Villa in thriller with Fulham

Fulham 3 Aston Villa 3

Villa, unchanged following their 4-0 triumph over Everton on St Stephen's Day, fought back three times when a Brian McBride double and Heidar Helguson penalty had sent Fulham into the lead.

Chris Coleman's side had ample chances to put the game beyond reach but paid the price for some wayward finishing with Villa hitting back through Luke Moore and a second for Ridgewell.

Controversy shrouded Fulham's second goal with referee Andy D'Urso a late replacement for scheduled official Richard Beeby who withdrew after pulling a calf muscle performing a u-turn on a suspect penalty decision.

The impressive Tomasz Radzinski was racing towards Villa's goal when Mark Delaney brought him down, winning the ball in the process, and D'Urso waved play on. He changed his mind upon seeing a flag from his assistant on the far side and opted for the spot-kick which Helguson tucked away to put Fulham ahead once again.

But with chances coming at both ends, Villa were far from out of the running and Ridgewell pegged the home side back twice, sandwiching a Brian McBride header.

Villa's cause was helped by two major blunders from goalkeeper Mark Crossley, who was culpable for both Ridgewell strikes with lapses of concentration at the back once again costing Coleman's team.

Kick-off was delayed by five minutes following the late switch of referees and when play began it was Fulham who made the brighter start.

Fulham, who recalled Carlos Bocanegra to the side, showed how it was done after 12 minutes with Luis Boa Morte winning the ball and feeding Radzinski, who dashed forward before crossing to McBride who nodded home.

Villa's defence was struggling to cope with Fulham's movement but it was the home side who were carved open in the 29th minute with Milan Baros cutting inside and threading a perfect pass for Luke Moore to fire home.

Controversy reigned as Fulham crept back in front four minutes later with their disputed penalty decision, Helguson sending Thomas Sorensen the wrong way with his kick.

Villa were denied their second equaliser when Gavin McCann hit the right post and the match was finely poised going into half-time with both teams creating chances.

What was already an entertaining contest stepped up a gear in the 60th minute when Ridgewell poked in a Milner cross at the near post, slipping the ball beneath Crossley who should have done better.

There was another twist to come, however, with Fulham taking the lead once more just a minute later after McBride rose above a static Villa defence and nodded Boa Morte's cross past Sorensen.

McBride headed over shortly after as Fulham looked to give themselves a two-goal cushion in a game which could still go either way, with McCann's blocked shot underlining the fact.

Milner and Ridgewell combined again in the 76th minute to haul Villa level for a third time with the latter finishing an easy chance with Fulham's defence and Crossley rooted to the spot as the ball came in.

Villa finished the stronger but were unable to grab the winner, although there could be few complaints with the final outcome of a thrilling evening.

FULHAM: Crossley, Leacock (Niclas Jensen 57), Knight, Bocanegra, Rosenior, Christanval, Legwinski (Elrich 78), Boa Morte, Radzinski, McBride, Helguson (John 84).

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Hughes, Delaney, Ridgewell, Bouma (Bakke 76), Milner, McCann, Davis, Barry, Baros, Moore (Angel 70).

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).