Match Preview: Aston Villa

98765E9F-FCBF-4AC5-B61D-4387B68E9900 — Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty

After success against Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday, we move onto Aston Villa who are our first must-win game of the season…

Wednesday had its positives but we need to start getting results in the league and our match against Villa is our first real opportunity to do that. A lot of potential relegation rivals have picked up points meaning that if we don’t get a point against Villa then we are one of just three teams without a point this season. Aston Villa look much improved from their relegation battle last season so tonight will be interesting to see if we can get a result.

I would make seven changes to the team that faced Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday. I would drop Rodak, Odoi, Robinson, Johansen, Onomah, Knockaert and Kebano. The players I would bring in are Areola, Tete, Bryan, Reed, Anguissa, Mitro and Cavaleiro. I would play these players in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Anguissa and Reed holding. Decordova-Reid would play in behind Mitro with Cavaleiro on the left and Kamara on the right.

I think we will win 2-1 with a Mitro brace.

Head To Head

Fulham Wins: 25
Draws: 22
Aston Villa Wins: 23
Goals Scored: 93
Goals Conceded: 96
Biggest Wins: Villa 5-0 Fulham (1904/05), Fulham 5-1 Villa (1966/67)

Last 5 Games

Fulham 2-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-1 Fulham
Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa

Last Time Out

FULHAM 2-1 ASTON VILLA (FA CUP 2019/20)

The last time we played Aston Villa we beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage. A Knockaert long shot put us in front before Anwar El Ghazi equalised soon after. It was Arter who had the final say coming off the bench to score one of the goals of the season with an incredible strike from outside of the box.

Players in Common

Jimmy Allen, Darren Bent, Terry Bullivant, Stan Collymore, Steven Davis, Andy Ducat, Ray Houghton, Aaron Hughes, Gábor Király, Zat Knight, Eddie Lowe, Reg Lowe, Ross McCormack, Josh Onomah, Kieran Richardson, Wayne Routledge, Philippe Senderos, Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell, Matt Targett, Bobby Templeton.

Battle To Watch

Jack Grealish vs Kenny Tete

Jack Grealish is a 25-year-old England international who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger. Grealish is the best player at his club and has attracted interest from top six clubs, most notably Manchester United. He is a tricky dribbler with an eye for goal making him a handful for any player marking him. If Grealish plays in his regular left wing role it is more than likely that Kenny Tete will be the man marking him. It will be crucial that Tete wins his individual battles against Grealish to increase our chances of getting a good result.