Aston Villa look to extend their magnificent home winning run and bounce back from defeat in the Premier League as they face Marco Silva’s Fulham.
Here’s the latest heading into tomorrow afternoon’s game at Villa Park…
Words by: Liam Davies
THE BUILD UP
Unai Emery’s side look to continue pilinh the pressure on the top four with a victory tomorrow afternoon and can enter the UEFA Champions League places by the end of the weekend if results go their way.
The West-Midlands based side enter the final fixture before November’s international period on the back of a crucial 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League to consolidate their place within the top two of Group E.
Goals from Diego Carlos and Ollie Watkins helped the Villans come from behind – after Vangelis Pavlidis’ 52nd minute opener – to complete back to back victories over the Eredivisie outfit.
However, last time out in the Premier League, the 1982 European Cup winners were defeated by two goals to nil at The City Ground as Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest earned just their third victory of the campaign.
Villa‘s home form is nothing short of extraordinary though and Emery’s side will look to continue their impressive streak at Villa Park when they battle Fulham at 2pm tomorrow.
The Cottagers were also on the losing side on match-day 10, falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
A tight contest at Craven Cottage was decided in stoppage-time as Bruno Fernandes fired home a winner from just inside the Fulham box. This result helped United up into eighth, while Fulham sit 15th after a disappointing start to the season.
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Unai Emery provided his opinion on Fulham and gave his thoughts on the upcoming fixture at Villa Park, he said: “They’re a very organised team, competitive team, they’re playing well.
“They lost against Manchester United at home in their last match but they deserved more. They drew against Arsenal one month ago at the Emirates and everything they were doing, everything we’re analysing of them, really is to be admired and to respect them a lot.
“On Sunday, I know it’s going to be a very difficult match and the players always have to be confident, have to practice trying to feel confident like we are playing.”
Can Emery’s Villans continue their superb run on home soil with a victory over the Cottagers or will Silva’s men claim a big three points on the road?
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aaron Villa defender Diego Carlos is set to miss the upcoming game against Fulham due to injury. The Brazilian pulled up during the latter stages of the side’s 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League and will not play a part at Villa Park tomorrow, as a result.
Speaking on the condition of the centre-half, head coach Emery said: “Diego Carlos, I don’t know exactly, he’s not going to be available for Sunday. Maybe it’s a small injury, maybe, but it’ll be difficult to be available for Sunday.”
Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is closing in on a return to the side and is almost ready to train with the other members of the first team, with a comeback after the upcoming November international break the likely return date for the 22-year-old.
Speaking on the number 41’s condition, Emery said: “Jacob Ramsey is progressing very well, he’s close to being with us in training sessions every day. But not yet.
Also absent is duo Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía who both have long-term knee injuries.
Meanwhile, left back Álex Moreno is 100% fit and in contention to start tomorrow’s game. The former Real Betis defender has yet to feature in claret and blue this season due to a hamstring injury, but has made the bench in the previous two fixtures.
Speaking on the number 15 in Friday’s press conference, Emery said: “Álex Moreno is progressing very good, he’s available to be in the squad and he’s available to be ready to play Sunday.
“Other players, they are available and ready to play.”
FULHAM
Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz is set for a spell on the sidelines after injuring his knee during last week’s defeat at home to Manchester United.
The Brazilian made his full Premier League debut that afternoon but will not feature in white and black again until after the November international break.
Speaking on the 22-year-old’s injury, head coach Marco Silva said: “It’s not really, really serious, but it’s going to prevent him from being involved in the next few games.
“Injuring the knee, you have to be careful. We assessed him and the feedback that I got from the medical staff is that he’s going to be a few games out.”
Elsewhere, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kenny Tete and former Villan Adama Traoré could return for Sunday’s visit of Villa Park. The three all missed the recent loss at home to the Red Devils but there is growing optimism that the trio could feature tomorrow afternoon.
On the possible-returners, Silva said: “We have another session [on Saturday] and I’m going to decide. If you ask me if they are ready for 90 minutes, no, but I can decide for them to be involved in the squad list at least, to start to be part of it.”
Elsewhere, former West Ham United defender Issa Diop is absent with a foot injury. On the Frenchmen’s condition, Silva stated: “Another player that is going to need more time is Issa Diop.”
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A BIT ON FULHAM…
Fulham have suffered a struggled start to the 2023/24 Premier League term and find themselves 15th on just 12 points after 11 games played. The Cottagers’ form to begin this campaign contrasts that of last season where the West-London recorded a majorly impressive tenth place finish – accumulating 52 points – on the back of their promotion the year prior.
Silva’s team did suffer a critical loss over the summer, however, with striker Aleksandar Mitrovic departing the club for Al-Hilal in a deal worth around £45 million. Top performer João Palhinha was on the brink of a deadline day move to Bayern Munich too, but the deal eventually collapsed.
Head coach Marco Silva was also linked with a move away from Craven Cottage over the summer and was reportedly approached by Saudi side Al-Ahli and offered upwards of £40 million to coach in the middle-east.
This disruption could be the reason for Fulham’s poor start to the season. Silva’s side have won just three games in the league, beating Sean Dyche’s Everton on the opening day and defeating top flight newcomers Luton Town and Sheffield United along the way. The Cottagers do still remain in the Carabao Cup, however, having registered impressive victories over top of the league Tottenham, David Wagner’s Norwich City and Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town. They travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the quarter-finals up next.
The Portuguese boss will look to turn around their league form until then however, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Villa Park to face Unai Emery and his side.
Silva was full of praise for his managerial counterpart ahead of the clash with the Basque boss, outlining that the impact he has made at Villa Park is of no surprise to him. He said: “I’m not surprised, because I know [Emery] very well, I know his quality, I know what he’s been doing so far in all his career.
“I remember him from Seville, when it was the first time I played against him. Of course, the impact has been huge in that football club.”
“All the results they have been achieving have been great for them… but it’s a perfect challenge to test ourselves. To be at the level that we want to be, you have to play these type of games.”
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MY PREDICTED LINE-UP
Let’s take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture…
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share now and let’s discuss?
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