RESULT: Hugo Rodallega Earns Crucial Three Points For Fulham

Hugo Rodallega has boosted Fulham's chances of avoiding relegation by earning them a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Fulham started brightly, with Cauley Woodrow combining well with Pajtim Kasami before the latter's header was sent over the crossbar.

Villa had an opportunity to take the lead thanks to Leandro Bacuna, but his chipped cross was headed wide by Andreas Weimann, who had found space at the back post.

Bacuna continued to look dangerous with the ball at his feet, and he was close to finding a goal of his own when his low effort was pushed away by David Stockdale.

Woodrow was given one more chance to open his account before the break after intercepting a Villa pass, but the young forward's strike from a tight angle was unable to beat Brad Guzan.

The opening stages of the second half was played in open fashion, but a lack of chances frustrated both sets of supporters.

Fulham took the lead in the 61st minute through Kieran Richardson, who took advantage of some space from outside the box to fire a fine strike past the helpless Guzan.

However, the visitors were unable to hold on for too long as Villa hit back just nine minutes later when Grant Holt arrived at the back post to head in a delivery from a corner.

The two goals set up a dramatic finish to the match, with Fulham coming agonisingly close to regaining the lead when Matthew Lowton cleared Lewis Holtby's effort off the line.

For the second time in the afternoon, Weimann missed a good chance to beat Stockdale as he headed Marc Albrighton's delivery over the bar.

There proved to be one final twist to the game in the 86th minute when substitute Rodallega found space to head Holtby's inch-perfect cross past Guzan and secure all three points.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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EPL PREVIEW: Aston Villa vs. Fulham

Fulham manager Felix Magath has insisted that his team can still produce an unlikely escape from relegation if they win four of their remaining six matches.

The Premier League's bottom club travel to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon five points adrift of safety and with by far the worst goal difference in the division.

Leading bookmaker SkyBet has them 1/8 favourites to go down, but Magath has not, at least publicly, given up hope of prolonging Fulham's 13-year stay in the top flight.

Time is running out for the Cottagers, though, and you would think that they need to pick up a positive result this weekend against a Villa side who have suffered consecutive 4-1 defeats to retain hope of survival.

Paul Lambert will be relieved to be watching the fight to avoid the drop from a relatively safe distance this season, although 12th-placed Villa probably need another win to guarantee that they stay up.

At this stage last term, the Midlands club, who are eight points clear of the bottom three, were only two points above water, but the goals of Christian Benteke soon fired them up the table.

However, the Belgian has been ruled out for six months with an Achilles injury, and will miss the World Cup. Gabriel Agbonlahor could play though the middle, with Andreas Weimann and Mark Albrighton in behind him.

At the other end of the pitch, Lambert may consider changes to his leaky defence. With Villa having conceded eight goals in their last two games, Matt Lowton may be restored at right-back to allow Leandro Bacuna to play in midfield, while Nathan Baker should return after recovering from a knock.

Karim El Ahmadi, Libor Kozak, Jores Okore and Charles N'Zogbia all remain in the treatment room.

Magath must decide whether to put his faith in Fulham's young stars, as he has done in recent weeks, or recall experienced names such as Scott Parker, who is available again following a knee injury.

With £12m club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou still suffering from fitness problems, either Cauley Woodrow or 17-year-old Moussa Dembele will start as the Whites' lone striker.

One of the teenagers will be supported by Ashkan Dejagah, who has three goals in his last five games, while former Villa striker Darren Bent is poised to be named on the bench after overcoming an illness.

Fernando Amorebieta has completed his suspension, but may be kept out the back four by Johnny Heitinga.

Recent form

Villa: LLWWLD

Fulham: LLWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Baker, Vlaar, Bertrand; Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton; Weimann; Agbonlahor

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Riise; Parker, Sidwell, Holtby; Kasami, Dejagah; Dembele

Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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NEWS: Evra Sold Me On Monaco - Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov said on Tuesday that a recommendation from his former Manchester United colleague Patrice Evra convinced him to join Monaco on loan at the end of the January transfer window.

The Bulgaria striker joined the club, who sit second in Ligue 1, on loan from English Premier League strugglers Fulham until the end of the season to cover for Colombian star Radamel Falcao, who is out with a long-term knee injury.

The 33-year-old moves from a relegation battle in England to a title fight in France, with a meeting with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to come this weekend at the Stade Louis II.

"My friend Patrice Evra told me a lot of good things about the club. And when Monaco called me, I said why not. I was looking for something new," said Berbatov, who played alongside the France left-back at Old Trafford between 2008 and 2012.

However, he said that the presence of enigmatic Italian coach Claudio Ranieri - another familiar face from his days in England - was also a factor in convincing him to make the switch to a new country.

"I decided to come here because it's a great team. I know the coach. He was working in England, so it was an easy decision to make. I have never been here in France but I think the football, it's really good.

"It's a new experience for me and it's a new adventure for me. I had the chance to train with my new teammates and it was really, really special because I saw how talented the players are that Monaco have."

"My friend Patrice Evra told me a lot of good things about the club. And when Monaco called me, I said why not. I was looking for something new". - Dimitar Berbatov on joining Monaco in part due to advice received from former team-mate Patrice Evra

Berbatov unveiled at Monaco

Considered something of a maverick and known for his languid style, Berbatov, who has also played for Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, believes his way of playing will help him be successful in the French game.

"You guys, when you watch the game, you want to be entertained, not fall asleep. This is my goal," he added.

"Today I saw really nice things from my team-mates, really talented players, so it's going to be good for me to work with them and hopefully my style of play is going to be good for the team and for the French league as well."

Berbatov was unveiled to the press along with Monaco's two other January signings, Nigeria left-back Elderson Echiejile and Tunisia centre-back Aymen Abdennour.

Echiejile has already made his debut since signing from Braga, but Abdennour, who arrived on an initial six-month loan deal with an option to take up a permanent four-year contract in the summer, will not be able to play for at least another two to three weeks with a thigh injury.

Berbatov, though, is likely to be in Ranieri's squad for Sunday's game against PSG, when a win will take Monaco to within two points of top spot.

Source: Fifa.com

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