Fulham 3 Aston Villa 1: Big Match Verdict
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.
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.
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