Christian Benteke, Villa's top scorer last season with 19 goals in his debut campaign, was the architect of Villa's shock win, scoring twice in the 3-1 victory to puncture the pre-season optimism at the Emirates Stadium.

The Hammers finally equalised in the 48th minute when Mark Noble played a quick free-kick that caught the hosts off guard and Nolan fired a low strike past Mark Schwarzer. But Fulham were ahead again within 60 seconds. Duff burst down the left flank and sent in a cross that Colombian striker Rodallega reached ahead of West Ham's defenders to bundle home.

Sam Allardyce returned to haunt former club Newcastle United on Sunday by guiding West Ham United to a 1-0 win that took the London club into sixth place in the Premier League table.

Kevin Nolan rescued a point for West Ham with a late strike against Sunderland that secured a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at Upton Park on Saturday.