Bullard back with a bang

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Bullard, who spent 16 months out with a career-threatening knee injury, scored a superb free-kick to give Roy Hodgson his first win since he replaced Lawrie Sanchez as manager.

Midfielder Simon Davies had levelled in the 72nd minute after Aaron Hughes had scored an own goal to put Villa in front four minutes earlier.

Villa were hampered by the loss of new England recruit Gabriel Agbonlahor through injury at half-time - the striker may now be forced to withdraw from the squad to face Switzerland next Wednesday.

Fulham began the game in an ebullient fashion and almost opened the scoring in the second minute but Bullard's 20-yard free-kick was deflected over the bar by Curtis Davies. In the 12th minute Clint Dempsey's header was cleared off the line by Wilfred Bouma as the home side continued to dominate the early exchanges.

Villa winger Shaun Maloney then tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area after a mistake by Chris Baird allowed him the time and space to have a shot. Another mistake by Baird gave Maloney another chance in the 36th minute but again the winger failed to hit the target.

The visitors then lost the services of Agbonlahor at half-time - he was replaced by Marlon Harewood. Villa looked a little more inventive after the restart and John Carew should have done better with a 20-yard effort which failed to test Antii Niemi.

Villa looked the more likely to break the deadlock and a speculative volley from substitute Harewood bobbled into the hands of Niemi. They got their goal in the 68th minute when Hughes - playing against his former club - turned Maloney's corner into his own net under pressure from Carew.

The hosts immediately sent on Brian McBride for his first appearance since dislocating a kneecap in August 2007.

And Fulham were level four minutes later when Bullard supplied a clever pass for Davies to curl the ball past Carson. The comeback was complete when Curtis Davies fouled Diomansy Kamara on the edge of the penalty area - setting up Bullard for his free-kick heroics.