Seven-up for Bruce as Kodjia saves day
JONATHAN KODJIA came to Aston Villa’s rescue with an 80th-minute winner to earn Steve Bruce’s side a crucial three points.
A poor game looked to be drifting to a stalemate but Villa have now picked up seven points from three games since Bruce took charge at Villa Park.
Kodjia scored for the third game in a row to inflict Fulham’s first away defeat of the season and give Villa back-to-back wins for the first time since May 2015.
Bruce said: “We have made a decent start and I am delighted for the players.
“We have tried to breathe a bit of life back into the players and a couple of good results does no harm.”
Bruce made three changes from the side which won at Reading and they made their customary quick start.
But Fulham’s defence was solid and on the break Lucas Piazon looked threatening, while Scott Parker provided a cool head in the Cottagers’ midfield.
Villa struggled to create any clear-cut chances, although Alan Hutton’s 18th-minute cross was headed wide by Leandro Bacuna.
Fulham were happy to sit back, with their play revolving around skipper Parker.
There was little threat from Villa’s strikers Kodjia and Rudy Gestede, who lacked the service to trouble the visitors.
Fulham’s attack offered little more, though, with Chris Martin kept quiet by tall defender Nathan Baker.
The second half was more of the same, with keeper David Button tipping Jordan Ayew’s 65th-minute free-kick over the bar.
Bruce sent on Ross McCormack in the 73rd minute and the move seemed to inspire Villa as Kodjia gave them the lead with his fourth goal of the season.
Substitute Albert Adomah fired in a quick cross from the right and Kodjia hooked home from close range.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic said: “We were near to a point but paid the price for the mistake.
“We played well for 45 minutes but we were not solid in the second half.”