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Jimmy Bullard’s 25-yard free-kick earned Roy Hodgson his first victory as Fulham manager against high-flying Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

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Villa had taken the lead on 68 minutes when Aaron Hughes turned the ball into his own net after Olof Mellberg flicked on Shaun Maloney’s outswinging corner.

But Fulham hit back five minutes later when Simon Davies finished off a fine sweeping move involving Bullard.

And Bullard ensured the three points with a brilliant strike on 85 minutes.

There was further bad news for Villa manager Martin O’Neill when England call-up Gabriel Agbonlahor was forced to limp off at half-time with a hamstring injury.

The striker is a major doubt for England’s forthcoming friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday.

The much-needed victory is only Fulham’s third all season, consigning Villa to first defeat in nine games.

The game ended in complete contrast to how it began – the first half was almost bereft of any goalscoring chances.