Villa 3 - Fulham 0

Last updated : 28 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

He then celebrated by obtaining a second goal eight minutes from time to prove his earlier effort had not been a fluke as Villa went on to complete their most comprehensive home win of the season.

The home crowd was delighted for the popular striker as Villa increased their unbeaten run to five games, with ten points from four Premiership matches sending the Midlands club romping up the table after being in the bottom three a month ago.

Fulham were difficult opposition in the opening exchanges but a 32nd minute goal from Juan Pablo Angle put them on the back-foot and a delighted Vassell sealed victory with his two goals to enable Villa to end the year on a bright note.

There was a blistering start from Fulham with Lee Hendrie clearing off the line from Alain Goma in the second minute.

A couple of minutes later Steed Malbranque, who gave Jlloyd Samuel a harrowing time at the start, could only stand in disbelief after watching Thomas Sorensen push his close-range effort over the bar.

Edwin Van der Sar was also impressive with his save from Angel a few minutes later in what had been a rare Villa attack.

With Malbranque and Louis Saha posing a constant threat with their nippy play Villa went through an anxious spell before they stormed into a 32nd minute lead.

Samuel, to his credit, refused to be knocked out of his stride despite often losing out to the skill of Malbranque and his persistence paid off handsomely.

He beat both Malbranque and Moritz Volz before cutting inside to provide a pass that Angel slotted home for his sixth goal in seven games.

Dogged defensive play kept Fulham at bay and, with Hendrie enjoying one of his better games of the season, Villa were able to mount a stream of attacks.

Vassell, desperate for his first Premiership goal of the season, narrowly missed an opportunity to open his account when he just failed to get a touch to another fine left-wing cross from Samuel.

But a relieved Vassell finally scored the elusive goal in the 67th minute when the England striker swept home another Samuel cross from the left.

Vassell then moved onto a Thomas Hitzlsperger cross in the 82nd minute to score with another low left-foot shot past Van der Sar.