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Aston Villa will be aiming to reclaim a spot in the Premier League's top four as they head to Craven Cottage for a clash against Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Lions come into the game in good form, having secured a victory the last time they faced the Cottagers. Ollie Watkins' brace was the difference in a 2-1 away win for Villa in February, a result they will be hoping to replicate this weekend.

Match Preview

Fulham, led by Marco Silva, have had an interesting season so far, demonstrating both promise and inconsistency. Their attacking prowess was on full display during a 4-2 victory over Luton Town on May 5, 2024, which confirmed the Hatters’ relegation from the Premier League. Silva praised his attacking players for their contribution to that win, a sentiment that highlights Fulham’s ability to punish teams when given the opportunity.

The Cottagers’ season has been a tale of ups and downs. They put together an impressive five-game unbeaten streak between late August and the end of September, amassing 11 points in the process. However, that momentum came to a halt just before the international break when they faced defending champions Manchester City. Despite taking the lead after 30 minutes through an Andreas Pereira strike, Fulham ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat. Missed chances proved costly, and late goals from Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku sealed their fate. A late consolation goal from Rodrigo Muniz wasn’t enough to prevent defeat, but it served as a reminder of the quality Fulham can produce in attack.

Currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table, Fulham are still in the hunt for a European spot, only three points behind Aston Villa, who occupy fifth place. Marco Silva is optimistic that his team can bounce back from the Manchester City defeat, viewing the game as an opportunity to build confidence and take courage into the busy weeks ahead. Fulham will be eager to capitalize on their strong home form, having picked up seven of their 11 points at Craven Cottage so far this season. Victories over Leicester City (2-1) and Newcastle United (3-1) were highlights, and a 1-1 draw with West Ham United could have been another win if not for a last-gasp equalizer from the Hammers in the 95th minute.

However, Fulham’s task this weekend will not be easy. The Cottagers have a poor recent record against Aston Villa, losing five of their last six league meetings with the Midlands club. Fulham will need to reverse that trend if they hope to continue their push up the Premier League standings.

Aston Villa’s Form and Prospects

Aston Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, have been in excellent form, especially since their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the end of August. That loss seems to have sparked a revival in Villa's fortunes, as they have since gone on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions. This impressive streak includes three consecutive wins and two draws in their last five Premier League outings.

One of the standout moments of Villa’s recent run came in the Champions League, where they secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. This triumph was bookended by Premier League draws against Ipswich Town (2-2) and Manchester United (0-0), with the latter result coming just before the international break. The goalless draw against United was a closely contested affair, with few clear-cut chances for either side. Villa only managed one shot on target from their 11 attempts, but Emery was satisfied with the result, particularly as it marked his team’s first Premier League clean sheet since April.

Aston Villa’s defensive solidity will be key as they prepare for a stretch of three home games following their trip to Fulham. Upcoming fixtures against Bologna, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace offer the Lions a chance to build on their momentum. However, first they must navigate the challenge posed by Fulham, a team that, despite recent struggles, has been formidable at home.

Villa have been impressive in their travels, especially in London. Emery’s side has lost just one of their last 12 Premier League matches in the capital, winning eight of those games. This statistic is particularly striking, as Villa had only managed eight victories in their previous 48 top-flight games in London. The improvement under Emery’s management is clear, and Villa will be confident of continuing that trend when they visit Craven Cottage this weekend.

Nevertheless, Aston Villa's recent history against Fulham away from home has been somewhat mixed. Over their last 10 league trips to Craven Cottage, the Lions have won three, drawn two, and lost five. Despite this inconsistency, Villa have won two of their last three visits to Fulham’s home ground, suggesting that they have the capability to take all three points if they perform to their potential.

Fulham’s Key Players and Tactical Approach

Fulham’s success this season has largely been driven by the form of their key attacking players, with Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz standing out as crucial contributors. Pereira has been a creative force in midfield, often dictating the pace of the game and chipping in with important goals, like the one he scored against Manchester City. Muniz, on the other hand, has provided a clinical edge up front, and his goal against City, though a mere consolation, demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net against top opposition.

Marco Silva has built a side that is capable of playing attractive, attacking football, but they have also shown resilience in defense when needed. Fulham’s ability to strike a balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity will be key if they are to take something from the game against Aston Villa. Silva will likely set his team up in a way that allows them to exploit Villa’s vulnerabilities on the counterattack, while also being mindful of the need to remain compact and organized at the back.

Fulham’s midfield will be crucial to their success. The likes of João Palhinha and Harrison Reed will be tasked with disrupting Villa’s rhythm and controlling the tempo of the game. If Fulham can win the midfield battle, they will have a good chance of creating opportunities for their attackers to exploit.

Aston Villa’s Tactical Setup and Players to Watch

Aston Villa have been one of the most tactically flexible sides in the Premier League under Unai Emery. The Spanish manager has instilled a sense of discipline and organization in his team, while also encouraging his players to express themselves in attack. Villa have a well-balanced squad, with Ollie Watkins leading the line and players like Douglas Luiz and John McGinn providing creativity and energy in midfield.

Watkins has been in superb form this season, and his ability to stretch defenses with his pace and movement makes him a constant threat. His two goals against Fulham in February will still be fresh in the minds of both sets of players, and the striker will be looking to add to his tally this weekend.

Defensively, Aston Villa have been much more solid in recent weeks. The likes of Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa have formed a formidable partnership at the back, and they will be tasked with keeping Fulham’s attackers at bay. Villa’s full-backs, particularly Matty Cash, have also been key to their defensive resilience, as well as contributing to the attack when needed.

In goal, Emiliano Martínez has been a reliable presence for Villa, and his shot-stopping ability will be vital in a game that could see both sides create plenty of chances.

Prediction and Outlook

Saturday’s game at Craven Cottage promises to be a tightly contested affair between two sides with ambitions of finishing in the European places. Fulham will be buoyed by their strong home form, but Aston Villa’s recent unbeaten run and their success in London under Unai Emery make them slight favorites heading into the match.

Ultimately, the outcome of this game could hinge on which team is more clinical in front of goal. Both sides have shown they can create chances, but converting those opportunities will be the key to victory. Villa’s defensive improvement and their ability to grind out results away from home could give them the edge, but Fulham’s attacking talent means they cannot be underestimated.