Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Facing what appears to be a must-win showdown on Saturday lunchtime, Aston Villa will welcome Fulham to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, watching their FA Cup adventure come to a thumping end last weekend as they fell to a 3-0 drumming against Crystal Palace at Wembley, Aston Villa are desperately seeking an immediate response here. However, suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at now-former champions Manchester City last week as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the Etihad, Unai Emery’s men have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since the start of November. However, getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat three points adrift of finding a route into the Champions League spots, Aston Villa will be excited to make a return to home soil here. Last seen in the Midlands storming their way to a stellar 4-1 romp against Newcastle, Emery’s side have won all of their last six straight showdowns at Villa Park across all competitions.
Aston Villa Team News
Picking up a reported hamstring injury last week, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is expected to miss the remainder of the season. However, aside from the England international, Emery’s side have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about.
Despite increasing scrutiny over his future at Villa Park, Ollie Watkins should keep his spot leading the line on Saturday lunchtime. Former Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen could be handed a full recall and replace Lucas Digne at left-back.
Fulham
As for the visitors, while Fulham might be seeking a minor miracle in the race to book a famous European finish, Marco Silva’s men have gained plenty of plaudits this season. Mounting a last-gasp comeback away at an already-relegated Southampton as they eventually left St. Mary’s with a 2-1 victory last week, the former Everton boss will now be calling on his squad to find some crucial stability over the final month. Watching their respective FA Cup adventure come to an end on March 29th as they fell to a 3-0 loss against Crystal Palace, Fulham have collected back-to-back Premier League wins on just a single occasion since the start of November. It should also be noted, Silva’s side slumped to a 3-1 defeat when they welcomed Villa to Craven Cottage on October 19th.
Fulham Team News
Once again missing out away at Southampton last week, it remains to be seen if Brazilian marksman Rodrigo Muniz will return to Fulham’s squad here. However, yet to make a single appearance so far this calendar year, Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson remains on the sidelines.
Coming off the bench and bagging a last-gasp winner at St. Mary’s last week, former Arsenal starlet Emile Smith-Rowe could be handed a full recall. Despite failing to find the net over the past couple of months, Raul Jimenez will lead Fulham’s attack.
Aston Villa vs Fulham Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and Fulham met for their reverse Premier League meeting on October 19th, Saturday’s hosts collected a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage.
- In fact, Villa have won all of their previous four straight meetings against Fulham by an aggregate score of 9-3.
- The Cottagers have collected consecutive Premier League victories on just a single occasion since the start of November.
- Aston Villa have won all of their last six straight matchups in the Midlands across all competitions.
- Seven of Fulham’s last eight showdowns outside of west London have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering major FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley last weekend as they fell to a 3-0 drumming against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa know that they can’t show any signs of a hangover here. Currently sat just three points adrift of breaking into the Champions League spots, Emery’s men face a must-win showdown in the Midlands. Landing a 3-1 victory when they travelled to west London for their reverse meeting on October 19th, Villa do hold a dominant record against Saturday’s guests. In fact, Villa have won each of their previous four Premier League battles by an aggregate score of 9-3.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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