Aston Villa head to Craven Cottage to face Marco Silva’s Fulham. Find out all the latest ahead of this midweek fixture in game week 11’s match preview.
THE BUILD UP
On the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea, Villa find themselves in a worrying 17h place. Pressure continues to pile on head coach Steven Gerrard as his team fails to win again.
A double from midfielder Mason Mount continued Graham Potter’s unbeaten start to life in London. The Villans had a number of chances throughout the first-half and could have claimed something from the game if it wasn’t for the heroics of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who made seven saves on the day.
Fulham are three points better off than their opponents and are 12th in the Premier League as a result. The Cottagers had to come back twice in their previous fixture as Marco Silva’s side drew 2-2 to their promotion-partners Bournemouth.
TEAM NEWS
Steven Gerrard confirmed the availability of forward Cameron Archer ahead of the upcoming fixture. He said: “Archer will come back into the frame for the trip to Fulham on Thursday, after missing the Chelsea game through illness.”
The former Liverpool captain also provided an update on Lucas Digne’s condition. He said: “Digne is out of his protective boot and could return to the grass today [Wednesday], he has an outside chance of returning to action at Newcastle United in 10 days.”
Marco Silva provided an update on Kenny Tete’s situation ahead of Thursday’s fixture. He said: “It will be difficult for him to be on the squad list but we have to assess the situation.”
Defender Layvin Kurzawa picked up knock in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the start of October and will be unavailable on Thursday. Israeli winger Manor Soloman will also miss the game after undergoing knee surgery in August.
Nathaniel Chalobah continues to serve a three-match suspension that kept him out of the defeat to West Ham and last week’s draw with The Cherries. The 27-year-old midfielder was sent off after just eight minutes against The Magpies, but will be back for Sunday’s visit to Leeds United.
A BIT ON FULHAM
Marco Silva has impressed since taking over Fulham in the summer of 2021. Replacing Scott Parker, the Portuguese head coach led The Cottagers to the EFL Championship title last season, securing the title by May.
This fine work has continued into the current Premier League campaign as The Whites find themselves a point off the top-half. Silva’s side started the term with a well-earned draw with Liverpool and have recorded victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford along the way.
One performer who has remained consistent across both seasons is forward Aleksandar MitroviΔ. The Serbian number nine scored 43 goals in the 2021/22 term and has seven goals to his name in the Premier League so far. Additionally, Fulham’s hit-man has nine goals in his last eight appearances at Craven Cottage, proving he is just as dangerous in the top flight.
Marco Silva believes Thursday’s contest will be a difficult one, he said: “It’s a very good challenge, a tough challenge to play against a very good team. They have quality players and because of that we’ll have to perform at our best level to get the three points.”
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Below is Liam’s predicted line-up:
He predicts one attacking change – what do you think? What changes would you make?
Have your own attempt by accessing the following link: https://utvpodcast.co.uk/line-up-selector/.
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