Republic of Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane got on the scoresheet for Aston Villa, who ensured Fulham's nightmare start to the Premier League continued.

Scott Parker's side had lost both of their first two games back in the top flight, and were right up against it inside 4-minutes at Craven Cottage.

Villa won the ball easily in midfield before John McGinn floated a ball over the top for Jack Grealish. The England midfielder cooly finished past the onrushing Alphonse Areola to give Dean Smith's side an early lead.

Grealish turned provider en route to Hourihane doubling the visitors' lead. Ollie Watkins laid the ball off for the playmaker, who squared to McGinn. The Scot's deft touch laid it on a plate for Hourihane to curl neatly past Areola.

Fulham managed to stem the bleeding until half-time, but 2-minutes after the break it was effectively all over.

A free-kick from the left from Hourihane was met by the foot of Tyrone Mings, who got just enough on the ball to direct it goalwards and make it 3-0.

The win preserves Villa's 100 per cent start to the season, albeit from a small sample size of two.

Fulham have now lost each of their opening three games, and conceded 10 goals in the process. Things get no easier for Parker with back-to-back away games to come at Wolves and Sheffield United.