Cottagers leave it late to deny Villa

06 November 2010 18:30
Fulham centre-half Brede Hangeland earned Fulham a point with a last-gasp equaliser at Craven Cottage. Marc Albrighton's 42nd-minute strike looked to have given Aston Villa a vital win. But Hangeland rose highest to head home a free-kick from Danny Murphy with just seconds remaining. In the 15th minute, Villa's Nathan Delfouneso headed inches wide but a minute later it was Fulham's turn to be wasteful when Zoltan Gera fired wide. Villa went in front three minutes before the interval when a brilliant 40-yard crossfield pass from Barry Bannan put Albrighton through and the Villa youngster cut in from the right before drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Delfouneso wasted another chance while in the 62nd minute Murphy's shot from the edge of the penalty area looked destined for the net until Richard Dunne's diving header diverted the ball to safety. Ashley Young came close to a Villa second before centre-half Hangeland earned Fulham a share of the spoils in injury-time when he headed home Murphy's free-kick.

Source: PA