Aston Villa cross swords with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Thursday evening, hoping to snap their three-game winless run.
The Villans have managed to take just a point in the last three games, losing 2-0 at home to Chelsea at the weekend. With the Claret and Blue just a point above the relegation zone in 16th, Steven Gerrard is under severe pressure and must start getting positive results to avoid the sack in the coming days.
Starting with Fulham, who are themselves amidst a three-game winless run, Gerrard’s Aston Villa must produce a strong performance and try taking home all three points.
Summer signings Diego Carlos (Achilles) and Boubacar Kamara (knee) are set for a long spell on the sidelines, while full-backs Ludwig Augustinsson and Lucas Digne could return from their respective injuries by the end of October.
Tyrone Mings rolled his ankle in the closing stages of the defeat to Chelsea, although the England international is expected to be alright for the game on Thursday.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez will continue operating in goal for Aston Villa, hoping to produce a big performance and guide his team to all three points.
Defence
Tyrone Mings should recover in time from his minor ankle problem to start against Fulham in the Aston Villa lineup. He will resume his centre-back partnership with Ezri Konsa at the heart of Aston Villa’s backline as they focus on keeping things tight against Marco Silva’s side over the course of the 90 minutes.
Villa will depend a lot on Matty Cash’s attacking prowess, adventurous runs down the right and crossing ability. He is set to keep his place at right-back, while Ashley Young continues to deputise for the injured Lucas Digne at left-back in the Aston Villa lineup.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey should form Villa’s midfield in midweek. Luiz will reprise his No.6 role at Craven Cottage, allowing McGinn and Ramsey the freedom to get more involved in build-up plays and influence the proceedings in the final third. The trio must work well in tandem to stop Fulham from getting into their rhythm.
Leander Dendoncker and Morgan Sanson will be available for selection on the bench as they wait for their chances to make an impact whenever called upon by Gerrard.
Attack
Emi Buendia and Philippe Coutinho both dropped to the bench against Chelsea at the weekend, and they will be pushing to start in place of Danny Ings and Leon Bailey in the Aston Villa lineup.
If selected, Coutinho and Buendia simply must do a lot in terms of creativity and movement in the final third.
After starting the last game on the left flank, Ollie Watkins is expected to go through the middle against Fulham this time around and aim to get on the scoresheet.
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