For their visitors, now flush with England squad members, the disappointment of the defeat - only their second on their travels this campaign - was compounded by an injury to Gabriel Agbonlahor, who limped off with hamstring trouble at the interval.
The young forward now looks certain to miss England's friendly game against Switzerland, and an opportunity to make his international bow.
Not that Hodgson will care, his team looked up for the contest from the off and kept their heads up even when Villa took the lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Norway international Erik Nevland, on his debut, toiled alone in attack in Hodgson's 4-5-1 formation and the home side enjoyed the lion's share of the first-half possession without ever looking like scoring. Villa sat back, soaked up the pressure and allowed Fulham to come at them.
Ironically, it was only after the goal, conceded in the 69th minute, that the Fulham players really took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Captain Aaron Hughes, against the club he played for last season, nudged the ball into his own net after Shaun Maloney's corner, much to his embarrassment.
Within four minutes Fulham had equalised through winger Simon Davies. He stole in front of England hopeful Curtis Davies to flick Bullard's cross past Scott Carson.
A sense of belief lifted the home side and when Davies felled substitute Diomansy Kamara on 85 minutes, there was only one man who was going to take the kick.
Bullard stepped up and hit his shot over the wall and past Carson, who should have done better. Fulham still remain second from bottom in the table, but things are looking up for Hodgson's team.
With his first win now secured and new players to come in, Hodgson will be happy.
Club captain Brian McBride, who has not featured since August, entered the fray as a second-half substitute, much to the delight of the home supporters.
But the new Craven Cottage favourite is tousled and impish midfielder Bullard.