Aston Villa 1 Fulham 0: match report

However, with seconds remaining, a pass from Barry Bannan created space for Gary Gardner whose fierce left foot shot was fumbled by Mark Schwarzer and even though the Fulham goalkeeper denied Weimann’s rebound header, the 20-year Austrian scrambled the ball over the line for his first senior goal.

“I knew at some stage we must get this boy involved because he is prolific,” said McLeish of the former Rapid Vienna youngster who has scored two hat-tricks in recent reserve games after returning from a second loan spell with Watford.

“He’s a hungry young man who links up well, he’s not just a trick in the box.”

Indicative of the precarious rapport he endures with the terraces, the Scot was booed and told he was clueless when Charles N’Zogbia made way for his pivotal replacement. “You will get that but sometimes these substitutions come off,” added the Villa manager.

“But I’ll take it on the chin.” The impressive Marc Albrighton had earlier seen a right foot shot bounce off the top of the crossbar though Fulham captain Danny Murphy’s half time withdrawal with two stitches in a bruised cheekbone following an aerial tussle with Stephen Ireland scarcely helped the Londoners’ cause.

Still they were a shadow of the side that had won their last three league games and Damien Duff’s left foot effort that clipped the outside of a post was a close as they came.