Champions League-chasing Aston Villa welcome Fulham to Villa Park in a Premier League fixture at Saturday lunchtime.
Unai Emery’s side are aiming to complete a league double over the Cottagers for the second successive season after winning the reverse fixture 3-1 back in October. After bagging a big 4-1 win over fellow Champions League-chasing rivals Newcastle United, they have since suffered back-to-back defeats across all competitions. A 2-1 last-gasp heartbreak to Manchester City was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium last month.
So, the Villans are seeking to bounce back from the FA Cup humiliation at the weekend when they face Marco Silva’s Fulham, who overcame already-relegated Southampton 2-1 last time out.
Aston Villa Team News
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed that Marcus Rashford will not be available for the game against Fulham due to a hamstring injury.
Axel Disasi, meanwhile, returns to contention for the Premier League fixture having been cup-tied against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
There is no looking past Emiliano Martinez in goal for Villa. One of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, the 2022 World Cup winner must be raring to keep a clean sheet after shipping three goals in the FA Cup defeat to Palace.
Defence
In front of Martinez, Villa will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ezri Konsa should partner Pau Torres at the heart of Villa’s defence, trying to keep Fulham striker Raul Jimenez quiet.
Axel Disasi is available again for selection, but Emery is likely to go with Matty Cash at right-back again. Lucas Digne is a certain starter at left-back in the Aston Villa lineup, although we could see the speedy and dynamic Ian Maatsen later in the second half.
Midfield
Emery could opt for some changes in midfield that got overrun in the FA Cup defeat to Palace. Amadou Onana is expected to be handed a start alongside Boubacar Kamara in the Aston Villa lineup, freeing up Youri Tielemans from his defensive duties.
With two holders behind, Tielemans likes to pick up spaces in the final third and affect the play with his incisive passing and creativity. The Belgian operating in the No.10 role means Marco Asensio will drop to the bench.
Attack
John McGinn is poised to make his 200th Premier League appearance for Villa on Saturday. He will operate off the left, with Morgan Rogers—the Villans’ best player of the season—hoping to enjoy a productive afternoon from the opposite flank in the Aston Villa lineup.
In Rashford’s absence, Ollie Watkins will lead the Villa attack and try to add to the 15 league goals he has scored thus far this season.
Ross Barkley, Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey and Asensio should be brilliant attacking options to bring off the bench when required.
