Superb second-half strikes from Anthony Knockaert and Harry Arter either side of a Jonathan Kodjia equaliser ensured Fulham’s place in Round four of the FA Cup.

Fulham started the tie much the better side, Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen feeding the ball cleverly into the feet Anthony Knockaert and former Villain Josh Onomah to drive towards the oppositions backline.

Jonathan Kodjia fired over the best chance of the game so far on 24 minutes, the Ivory Coast international looking to impress after the news of Wesley’s season-ending injury this week.

Anwar El Ghazi and Joe Bryan both pulled wide from range as the opener alluded the Craven Cottage crowd with half time fast approaching.

With the half winding down to a seemingly dull conclusion, Villa were presented a glorious chance when Kodjia fed El Ghazi inside the area. The Egyptian took the ball into his stride well but was denied by a glorious save from the otherwise untroubled Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal.

The second period started with an Anthony Knockaert effort which fizzed past Orjan Nyland’s right-hand post, Fulham looking for some impetus to liven up the cup tie.

And it was the former Brighton man who curled in a fabulous opener soon after. Fed the ball out wide by Joe Bryan, Knockaert drove at the Villa defence before eventually finding room to cut in on his favoured left foot.

From there the Frenchman expertly wrapped his foot around the ball to find the top corner despite Nyland’s despairing dive.

The home side pressured for a second but a swift Villa counter saw El Ghazi equalise.

A ball over the top from Henri Lansbury was misjudged by debutant Michael Hector which allowed 30-year-old Kodjia to steal in and lift the ball over Rodak, El Ghazi helping the ball over the line.

A second stunner for the home side regained them the lead. Just moments after coming on, Harry Arter was afforded time on the edge of the box. Not known as a goalscorer, loanee Arter unleashed a spectacular effort from range which dipped and swerved past the Villa ‘keeper.

There was time for a debut as 17-year-old Jay Stansfield entered the game to a warm reception from the Fulham fans.

Scott Parker’s men pushed forward looking to seal their place in round four, Villa failing to create anything with perhaps one eye of their Premier League exploits.

2-1 it finished to the Cottagers as the home side seal their place in the hat for Monday’s draw.

Fulham XI: Rodak, Christie, Mawson, Hector, Odoi, Onomah (Stansfield, 81), McDonald (Arter, 69), Johansen, Knockhaert, Bryan, Cavaleiro (De La Torre, 84)

Fulham unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Harris, O’Riley, Jasper

Aston Villa XI: Nyland, Elmohamady, Engels, Chester (C), Taylor, Lansbury, Nakamba (Vassilev, 80), Hourihane, Jota (Trezeguet, 76), Kodjia, El Ghazi (Ramsey, 87)

Aston Villa unused substitutes: Kalinic, Guilbert, Konsa, Hause