Fulham looked certainties for relegation from the Premier League but thanks to Hugo Rodallega’s late strike it is conceivable they can repeat their great escape of six years ago.

Manager Felix Magath conceded that “today was our last chance to stay in the league” but that chance looked to have slipped away when Grant Holt’s 70th-minute goal cancelled out Kieran Richardson’s opener for Fulham.

But striker Rodallega netted with four minutes left to move the Whites — bottom of the table at kickoff — up to 18th.

They are still five points behind Norwich in 17th but host the Canaries at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

 “It was a very difficult game and a very spectacular result,” said Magath. “For us to win in the last five minutes is a signal to everybody that we are back in the league.

“We have to win our games now. It doesn’t matter which team will come. We need to win three of the last games at least to stay in the league.”

The winning goal was Colombian Rodallega’s first in the league since January 2013 and could herald a repeat of 2008, when Fulham won four of their last six games to stay up on goal difference.

Richardson had netted on 61 minutes with an 18-yard drive before Holt headed his first Villa goal from a corner.

Magath added: “Our fans supported us for 90 minutes, and you can imagine now how the players in the locker room are happy, happy.

“They forced me to give them two days off so I have. They deserved it after today.”