*Kamara brace downs Villa*

Diomansy Kamara scored twice in the second half to fire Fulham closer to Europe and add to Aston Villa’s recent woes.

The Senegal international, named in the starting XI in place of the injured Bobby Zamora, drilled home from outside the box just seconds after the interval before producing a delightful flick from close range in the 60th minute.

The Cottagers took the lead from the penalty spot in just the sixth minute when Danny Murphy stepped up after James Milner had ended a flowing move with a crude barge into Kamara’s back.

Murphy, who was making his 600th career appearance, made no mistake with a clinical strike from 12 yards which gave goalkeeper Brad Friedel no chance.

Villa were swiftly back on terms when an excellent move of their own saw Gareth Barry set up Milner to cross. John Carew flicked the ball through his legs and Ashley Young arrived at the far post to drill home.

But any hopes Martin O’Neill’s men had of claiming victory were swiftly extinguished by Kamara’s second-half brace, with the Midlands outfit on a dismal run of form after threatening to break into the top four earlier in the season.

*Took the lead*

Villa had the first chance of the game when Gabriel Agbonlahor fired wide after getting on the end of a headed knock down by Carew in the first minute.

Seconds later Fulham replied with Erik Nevland heading into the arms of Friedel following a cross from Paul Konchesky.

Fulham took the lead in the seventh minute when Milner was adjudged to have fouled Kamara inside the penalty area. Captain Murphy beat Friedel from the spot to put the home side in front.

Nevland should have made it two in the 11th minute when the ball rebounded kindly to him from the feet of Konchesky. However, the Fulham striker curled the ball over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

But Villa were level in the 14th minute when a cross from Milner eluded the home defence and England international Ashley Young provided the finish at the far post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to deal with a cross from Luke Young in the 22nd minute as Carew lurked with intent.

But the home side almost regained the lead in the 31st minute when Kamara’s shot was deflected over the crossbar by Stiliyan Petrov.

Murphy’s free-kick found Nevland in the penalty area but the Fulham striker headed the ball straight at Friedel.

In the 34th minute, Nevland got on the end of a fine pass from Murphy but his cross into the penalty area was easily cleared by Villa.

Murphy was booked for bringing down Agbonlahor in the 37th minute as the Villa and England striker looked to break free.

Zat Knight, the former Fulham defender, was fooled into fouling Zoltan Gera a minute later, and Murphy’s free-kick forced Friedel to make a hash of his attempted clearance.

But the American goalkeeper cleared Konchesky’s corner with some authority and a fabulous counter-attack almost brought Villa a second goal.

Agbonlahor led the attack by sprinting from one penalty area to the other before crossing for Ashley Young to force Schwarzer into a fine save at his near post.

But Fulham were back on the attack moments later but Nevland could not rise high enough to meet a cross from Konchesky.

*Angled drive*

The home side regained the lead in the 46th minute when Luke Young’s attempted clearance was charged down by Kamara and the Fulham striker despatched an angled drive beyond Friedel from 18 yards.

In the 52nd minute a Konchesky free-kick found its way through the Villa defensive wall but Friedel dived low to his right to prevent Fulham going further ahead.

Villa were looking decidedly jaded and Agbonlahor failed to hit the target from 20 yards when he was invited to shoot by a back-pedalling Fulham defence.

But Fulham made it three on the hour with Kamara’s second goal of the game. A corner from Murphy was headed down by Brede Hangeland and Kamara supplied the finish with a cheeky backheel inside the six-yard box.

Villa made a double substitution in the 63rd minute with Luke Young and Nicky Shorey replaced by Emile Heskey and Nigel Reo-Coker. The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 66th minute but Gareth Barry’s clever chip was just too high to trouble Schwarzer.

Milner then caused Schwarzer some concern with a cross that the Fulham keeper did well to hold underneath the bar.

But Fulham were in complete control of the game and Kamara was enjoying a particularly impressive afternoon. The Fulham striker had been a constant thorn in the side of Knight and Curtis Davies.

But it was Gera who should have increased Fulham’s lead when he tried his luck from 25 yards. However, his accuracy was lamentable and it was far too high.

Villa continued to look for a way back into the game but O’Neill’s side had run out of ideas.

Their lack of inspiration was underlined by a tame effort from Ashley Young who sent his 20-yard shot harmlessly into the arms of Schwarzer with five minutes remaining.