Barclays Premier League

Gabby makes difference

Gabriel Agbonlahor helped Aston Villa bounce back from their European exit as they easily disposed of Fulham 2-0 to register their first home Premier League win of the campaign.

• O'Neill hails youngster Clark

The England striker's pressure forced Fulham defender John Pantsil to head into his own net for the opening goal after three minutes.

Then Agbonlahor struck the decisive second goal 14 minutes into the second period - his first of the season - to wrap up the points for Martin O'Neill's side.

It was the perfect pick-up for Villa after failing to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League after being beaten on away goals by Rapid Vienna.

The Cottagers struggled to cope with the pace of Agbonlahor and Ashley Young plus the accurate passing of James Milner while Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell offered good support from midfield.

Villa's territorial dominance was such that goalkeeper Brad Friedel was a virtual spectator for the entire 90 minutes and 19-year-old central defender Ciaran Clark was able to make an assured debut.

Fulham looked pedestrian and lethargic after their own European exertions against Amkar Perm in Russia in midweek and they missed the industry of injured midfielder Danny Murphy and front duo Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora.

Villa needed only three minutes to break the deadlock but they were given a helping hand by their former defender Aaron Hughes and Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer in setting up the goal.

Hughes sent a careless back pass towards Schwarzer who could only slice the ball out of play for a corner.

Young's corner was flicked on by Carlos Cuellar and Cottagers defender Pantsil could only head the ball into his own net at the near post when under immense pressure from Agbonlahor.

Fulham were knocked out of their stride by this early setback and Sidwell was only just too high with a curling effort after Agbonlahor had turned a dangerous ball from Nicky Shorey into his path.

Villa were finding plenty of space down their left flank with Agbonlahor and Young looking to put Hughes and Pantsil under pressure.

Shorey's through ball picked out the run of Agbonlahor and his low dangerous cross was turned away by Paul Konchesky at full stretch.

Sidwell then got on the end of a Young free-kick but directed his header wide and then Clark missed a good chance to mark his debut with a goal after 24 minutes. The England Under-19 international was unmarked when he got on the end of a Young corner but sent his header over the bar.

Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu was relieved in trying to clear a Young corner when his header bounced over his own crossbar.

Etuhu was guilty of a series of fouls and in the 39th minute became the first player to be yellow carded by referee Steve Bennett for bringing down Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov.

Then Fulham newcomer Jonathan Greening was also cautioned for chopping down Milner.

Schwarzer had a brief fitness test before play resumed and seemed to have a problem with his left thigh. There was a cagey opening to the second period although a fierce shot from Erik Nevland was blocked by Clark full in the face.

Dempsey was only just too high with a fierce 25 yard free-kick after Petrov had brought down Diomansy Kamara.

Milner showed positive intent but drilled his shot well wide from a narrow angle.

Then after 59 minutes Villa gave themselves a two goal cushion with Agbonlahor's splendid goal.

Milner played the ball inside to the England striker who bore down on the Fulham box before beating Schwarzer with a fierce 20 yard drive.

O'Neill brought on striker John Carew in place of the impressive Reo-Coker with 20 minutes remaining.

Sidwell picked up a late booking for a challenge on Dempsey. Martin O'Neill felt the side which won 3-1 at Liverpool on Monday deserved another chance to impress against Fulham, and they did not let him down as they won 2-0 to record their first Premier League victory of the season at Villa Park.

O'Neill hails youngster Clark

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill hailed the performance of rookie defender Ciaran Clark as his side overcame Fulham 2-0 at Villa Park. Clark, the England Under-19 captain, was thrown in at the deep end after Curtis Davies had failed to recover from his recurring shoulder problem.

The youngster, a product of the club's youth policy, did not put a foot wrong as Villa registered their first home league win of the campaign. A first-half own goal and Gabriel Agbonlahor's first goal of the season wrapped up the points.

O'Neill said: ''I thought Clark did really fine. Unfortunately Curtis has suffered a recurrence of the shoulder problem and will see a specialist in midweek. Clark took it in his stride when I told him he was going to be playing. He looked around as if he kind of expected it.

''Mind you, when I told him I was rubbish on my debut I'm sure it gave him a big boost of confidence! He led the youth team the season before last and is a great character. If there is anyone you would like to see make the grade, it is him.I believe he took a lot of confidence from pre-season when he stepped into the side for the Peace Cup and did very well. I think it was in his mind today that if he could cope with top European players, albeit in a pre-season tournament, then he could cope today.''

O'Neill is still trying to sign Manchester City defender Richard Dunne and will step up his attempts to bolster his squad in the next 48 hours. He said: ''As regards Richard Dunne, I have been concentrating on the game today and have not seen our chief executive. But I'm going to utilise the time available between now and Tuesday.''

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson refused to blame his side's midweek trip to Russia for a Europa League qualifier for his side's poor performance. He said: ''It was a very poor performance from us. The ridiculous goal we gave away after three minutes did not help matters against a very determined and aggressive Villa team.

''It was not the most intelligent thing to do, to put us on the back foot straight from the start. We played a bit more like what I would expect in the second half but when the second goal goes in, that leaves you with a mountain to climb.

''We can't choose the excuse of tiredness from playing in Russia on Thursday. We have to find the energy and do better in games. We did not show enough energy against Chelsea last week and it was the same today. We have to work hard in training to sort that out and to defend better as a unit.''