Angel scores first of the season

Aston Villa 1, Fulham 0 (half-time)

Juan Pablo Angel scored his first goal of the season for Aston Villa to provide one of the few bright spots in a woeful opening 45 minutes of football against Fulham.

The Colombian international struck after 19 minutes, but there was precious little else of any quality on show at a barely half full Villa Park.

The overall standard left a lot to be desired, and it was a rare moment of excitement when Mark Delaney made a surging run down the right flank and saw his low cross just elude Dion Dublin.

The ball did find its way to the overlapping Gareth Barry, but his low pass back into the danger area was cleared by Alain Goma.

Villa managed to inject some urgency into their play as they forced two successive corners – but they posed no problem for the Fulham rearguard.

Delaney began to provide more of an attacking threat. But after one penetrating run he cut inside and was crowded out on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area.

Boa Morte looked lively for Fulham, but there was precious little to excite either set of supporters.

Jlloyd Samuel did burst into the Fulham penalty area after shaking off two challenges, and van der Sar blocked his left-footed drive at the expense of a corner.

Taylor became the second Villa player to be yellow-carded for a challenge on Martin Djetou after 40 minutes.

Marlet headed home a cross from Malbranque after 44 minutes, but the referee’s assistant was already flagging for offside.