Enckelman denies Fulham

Lee Hendrie and Steed Malbranque scrap for possession

Fulham 0-0 Aston Villa
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Peter Enckelman helped managerless Aston Villa extend their unbeaten run to six games as they hung on for a point against draw specialists Fulham.

Striker Juan Pablo Angel missed a golden chance early on as Villa dominated the first half and their fans chanted for the head of chairman Doug Ellis.

  Key incidents

7 mins: Angel blasts wide for Villa

46 mins: Enckelman saves from Knight

65 mins: Enckelman denies Hayles

67 mins: Hayles is thwarted again

But the visitors had stand-in keeper Enckelman to thank for a string of fine saves which made sure they weathered a second-half storm at Craven Cottage.

Jean Tigana's Fulham have now drawn 11 of their 24 Premiership games, with six of those finishing scoreless.

John Deehan and Stuart Gray again took charge of the Villa side following the club's failure to appoint an immediate successor to John Gregory.

It was probably a bit of a relief to get away from Villa Park with everything that's been going on

Aston Villa caretaker boss Stuart Gray

The visitors were also missing Peter Schmeichel with a finger injury, so Finnish international Enckelman got his chance to impress.

Fulham boss Jean Tigana chose to be positive by playing an attacking trio of Steve Marlet, Louis Saha and Barry Hayles.

But it was Villa who made the brighter start in the blustery conditions.

Angel sent an early shot ballooning into the crowd after five minutes and then sliced wastefully wide when Mustapha Hadji's cross presented him with a great chance just seven yards out.

Paul Merson tussles with Zat Knight

The visiting fans were more interested in chanting at Ellis, and Gregory's first win in charge of Derby just over an hour earlier had done nothing to ease their frustration.

Fulham took half an hour to create their first real threat when Olof Mellberg conceded a corner and Alain Goma headed over the bar.

They came even closer minutes later when Marlet headed on and Enckelman saved as Saha tried to chip him.

Saha then blotted his copybook shortly before half-time as referee Matt Messias decided the French striker had dived in the area and issued a yellow card.

Fulham came on strong after the break and Enckelman did well to tip a shot from Zat Knight on to his left-hand post.

In the first half, we had many tactical problems but in the second half we didn't play too badly - the two goalkeepers were very good

Fulham coach Jean Tigana

The Villa keeper then performed more heroics when Hayles drilled in a shot which he managed to deflect wide.

Tigana's side continued to push and Enckelman denied Hayles with yet another fine save.

Hayles finally thought he had broken the deadlock when keeper Edwin van der Sar's long punt sent him clear but his chip floated just over the bar.

Darius Vassell could have won it for Villa on 82 minutes but he shot tamely at Van der Sar when clean through.

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Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Harley, Legwinski, Knight (Goldbaek 63), Malbranque, Saha, Hayles, Marlet. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Ouaddou, Trollope, Willock.

Booked: Saha.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Mellberg, Samuel, Staunton, Hadji, Merson, Boateng, Hendrie (Stone 86), Vassell, Angel (Kachloul 77). Subs Not Used: Wright, Dublin, Myhill.

Booked: Hadji, Boateng.

Attendance: 20,041

Referee: M Messias (York).