Aston Villa
1-1
Fulham

N'Zogbia (55')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Delph (66' og.)

Build-up

Fabian Delph own goal denies Aston Villa victory

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 13 April 2013

Fabian Delph scores an own goal to cancel out Charles N'Zogbia's opener for Aston Villa, who are held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in the West Midlands.

Fabian Delph's unfortunate own goal denied Aston Villa a victory over Fulham that would have seen them take a huge step to securing Premier League survival.

Aston Villa's Fabian Delph scores an own goal in the match against Fulham on April 13, 2013 © PA Photos

In-form striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was an injury absentee for Villa, but his replacement, Charles N'Zogbia, put the hosts ahead with a superb left-footed curler.

However, Delph diverted a set piece into his net to prevent Villa from claiming maximum points and leave them just three clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts had the majority of the first-half opportunities, with Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann both missing the target from good positions.

Top scorer Benteke steered a Nathan Baker flick-on over the crossbar, before Weimann drilled a 20-yard shot several yards wide of the post.

N'Zogbia had earlier forced Mark Schwarzer into a wonderful one-handed save when he struck well following Benteke's persevering run and cross.

Aston Villa's Charles N'Zogbia celebrates after scoring the first goal in the Premier League match with Fulham on April 13, 2013 © PA Photos

Schwarzer could do nothing to foil the Frenchman after the interval, though, as N'Zogbia bent a shot from the right edge of the box just inside the far post.

Villa's lead lasted only 11 minutes, as Delph glanced in a Bryan Ruiz corner to level the scores minutes after Dimitar Berbatov had struck the woodwork.

Delph had the chance to atone for his error, but failed to restore Villa's lead late on when he skied Weimann's cross high into the stands.