Maloney bags late winner

Villa manager Martin O'Neill was banished from the dug-out after a verbal blast at referee Steve Bennett as he left the pitch at half-time, but his side were much improved in the second half.

Ashley Young's shot, deflected off Zat Knight, cancelled out Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey's first-half effort and, after Chris Baird had been sent off with 20 minutes remaining, Maloney struck in the dying seconds.

Baird was yellow-carded for the first time after five minutes for clipping Young when in full flight and 60 seconds later the Cottagers stunned Villa by taking the lead through Dempsey. Diomansy Kamara's pass took a deflection off a Villa player into the path of the midfielder, whose rising left-footed drive beat Scott Carson via the underside of the crossbar.

Fulham looked to have strong claims for a penalty in the 31st minute when a half volley from Diomansy Kamara at close range appeared to be handled by Martin Laursen, but Bennett waved play on.

In first half injury-time John Carew thudded a header against the post from a Young corner.

O'Neill took up a place in the press box for the second period and soon saw Nigel Reo-Coker's pass find the impressive Young in space on the left flank.

Young cut into the area before beating Kasey Keller with a cross-shot which deflected off Zat Knight into the far corner.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining as Baird picked up a second yellow for a challenge on Young just outside the box.

Dempsey almost won the game for Fulham in a rare attack, but Carson did well to keep out his close-range header - and then came Maloney's late winner.