The hosts were in control of the contest right from the start and could have surged ahead after just nine minutes when Dimitar Berbatov's header on target was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Minutes later Alexander Kacaniklic found himself on the end of a rebound, but his effort was cleared off the line by Nathan Baker.

However, Fulham eventually took the lead in the 21st minute through Steve Sidwell, who lifted an overhit pass from Ashkan Dejagah over on advancing Guzan from a narrow angle.

Fulham's Steve Sidwell celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Aston Villa during their Premier League match on December 8, 2013 © Getty Images

The Cottagers' lead was doubled on the half-hour mark from the penalty spot.

Kacaniklic was brought down inside the Villa area by Leandro Bacuna and Berbatov made no mistake from 12 yards.

Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov scores his team's second goal via the penalty spot against Aston Villa during their Premier League match on December 8, 2013 © Getty Images

The Bulgarian striker came close to making it 3-0 before the break when he got the better of the visitors' defence with his change of pace, but his final effort was turned away for a corner by Guzan.

The Villa goalkeeper was called into action again in the opening minutes of the second half when he had to throw himself to his left to keep out a powerful header from Philippe Senderos.

Fulham defender John Arne Riise was unlucky not to etch his name on the scoresheet on 66 minutes when he headed Giorgos Karagounis's cross against the post.

However, that did not matter in the end as Rene Meulensteen's side wrapped up a 2-0 win to move up to 18th in the league table, while Villa are 10th.