Chris Baird scores later to earn win for Fulham

A late goal from Chris Baird has given Fulham a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Mladen Petric had two opportunities to put Fulham ahead as the hosts dominated the early stages but he twice headed straight at the welcoming hands of Brad Guzan.

© PA Photos

The visitors lacked creativity going forward, with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor seeming to be the only way forward for Paul Lambert's side.

Agbonlhaor's trickery almost opened the scoring before the break but his deflected effort was well kept out by Mark Schwarzer.

Steve Sidwell had the chance to send Fulham into the break in the lead but the midfielder headed wide from close range following good work from Hugo Rodallega on the wing.

Villa improved defensively in the second period and Dimitar Berbatov was unable to have as much impact on the game as Martin Jol would have been hoping for.

However, with six minutes remaining a free kick made its way to Baird and the defender finished smartly to earn the points for the Cottagers.