Marco Silva’s Fulham is next up in the Premier League for Unai Emery’s European-chasing Aston Villa. Here’s the latest heading into what will be a tense affair at Villa Park…
THE BUILD UP
The race for Europe is well and truly heating up as Aston Villa host Fulham in mid-week Premier League action. Villa, helped by Newcastle United’s comprehensive victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, can climb to fifth with a win against their opponents tomorrow, whilst the Cottagers can pull away from Brentford and close the gap on the teams above them with away success.
Aston Villa snatched a point late on against Thomas Frank’s Brentford last time out. Both sides had several good chances, before The Bees’ talisman Ivan Toney opened the scoring in the 65th minute, converting Bryan Mbeumo’s well-worked cross. It was Douglas Luiz who would respond for the away side at the death, coolly side-footing Emi Buendรญa’s pull-back past David Raya for 1-1.
It was a good point on the road for Emery’s team, especially given the loss of goalkeeper Emiliano Martรญnez at half-time through sickness. However, the Spanish boss will look to grab all three points from a jubilant Villa Park under the lights tomorrow night.
As for Fulham, they defeated Javi Gracia’s struggling Leeds United by two goals to one at home. After a tame first-half, Harry Wilson opened the scoring in the 58th minute, firing home Willian’s cross, before Andreas Pereira made it two in the 72nd minute, converting from close-range. A Joรฃo Palhinha’s own goal sparked late hope for United, but the Cottagers were able to hold on for all three points and a second consecutive victory in the league,
When these sides last met at Craven Cottage, the home side came away comfortable winners in what turned out to be a pivotal fixture for Aston Villa. The 3-0 defeat, with goals from Harrison Reed, Aleksandar Mitroviฤ and a Tyrone Mings own goal, spelled the end for Steven Gerrard as manager.
The Villans are resurged and hungry for success, can they claim another vital three points at home or will Silva’s Fulham do the double on the claret and blue outfit?
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martรญnez is expected to be okay and available for Tuesday night’s game at Villa Park, despite being withdrawn at half-time during the 1-1 draw with Brentford due to sickness. Unai Emery confirmed that the Argentina number one was vomiting at the break and could not come back out; Robin Olsen was his replacement.
Elsewhere, the availability of quartet Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey remains unknown. The four have all been missing for a while, with Coutinho (hamstring) missing the last nine; Cash (calf) the last five, Kamara (ankle) the previous four and Bailey (hamstring) the last two. Tomorrow’s home fixture is thought to be too soon a turn-around for any of the injured group, but we may see some return for this weekend’s visit to Old Trafford.
Goalkeeper Jed Steer remains absent with his long-term Achilles injury.
FULHAM
Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitroviฤ is unavailable for tomorrow’s big game at Villa Park due to suspension. The Serbian number nine was awarded an eight match ban at the beginning of the month following a dispute with referee Chris Kavanagh in his side’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United that saw the 28-year-old push the official.
Mitroviฤ will also miss the three games that follow against Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester City, before being back available for the trip to the south coast to face Southampton in mid-May.
Also out is French full-back Layvin Kurzawa who is sidelined with a serious injury. The former Monaco defender suffered knee ligament damage due to a ‘heavy blow’ in training in February and looks to have played his final game for the West-London club, with the 30-year-old just on loan from Paris Saint-Germain for the season.
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A BIT ON FULHAM
Fulham have been another one of the division’s surprise packages this season. The Cottagers, who were promoted to the top flight just last season, have spent the majority of the campaign in the top half and, despite a recent drop off in form, have flirted with the chance at a European finish too.
A lot of this year’s success is down to both the excellence of head coach Marco Silva and impressive summer recruitment which, in turn, has forged Fulham back into a distinguished Premier League side. The signings of Willian, Andreas Pereira and Joรฃo Palhinha (to name a few) have proved particularly fruitful, adding to the already impressive likes of Alexsandar Mitroviฤ, Harrison Reed and Harry Wilson.
Keeping Marco Silva at the helm will be a priority for Fulham heading into next year. The Portuguese head coach has been linked with a plethora of jobs around the league, including the likes of Chelsea (following Graham Potter’s departure in March) and recently Tottenham Hotspur (following Antonio Conte’s exit).
The 2021/22 EFL Championship winners have recorded 13 wins from their 31 games, drawing six and losing 12. Aleksandar Mitroviฤ is the Whites’ top goal scorer this campaign, notching 11 goals in the league; Andreas Pereira, Manor Soloman and Willian are all tied next on four.
The majority of their points have come at home, earning 25 points from 16 games, but Fulham do boast the seventh best away form in the division, taking 20 points from 15 games.
Along the way, Fulham have defeated the likes of West-London rivals Chelsea and high-flyers Brighton and sit comfortably in ninth on 46 points as the final run-in of the term commences. It appears Silva’s side has very little to play for heading into the final seven games, but they will look to finish the season on a high, starting with a victory tomorrow night at Villa Park.
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PREDICTED LINE-UP
Letโs take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixtureโฆ
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
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AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Authorโs UTV PODCAST archive Liam Davies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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