Aston Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery has them competing for a place in the Premier League’s top five as the season nears its close.
Emery’s side, who have not lost since February and sit in sixth place, are only two points behind Tottenham ahead of tonight's visit of Fulham.
So a win would see the Villans capitalise on Spurs’ recent woes and take a step closer to securing a European spot come the end of the campaign.
However, Marco Silva’s men will be out to end their opponents’ nine-game unbeaten run and extend their winning streak to three games.
The Cottagers have coped well without Aleksandar Mitrovic and are coming into this one off the back of wins against Everton and Leeds.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Tuesday, April 25.
Kick-off at Villa Park is scheduled for 7:45pm.
talkSPORT 2 will have exclusive live coverage of the game.
Commentary will come from Ian Danter and former England winger Trevor Sinclair.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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Aston Villa vs Fulham: Team news
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, Dendoncker, Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Sinisalo, Carlos, Chambers, Revan, Digne, O'Reilly, Traore, Duran.
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Ream, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, Wilson, Pereira, Willian, James.
Subs: Rodak, Cedric, Diop, Duffy, Cairney, Decordova-Reid, Lukic, Vinicius, Solomon.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: What has been said?
talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor is confident that his former club Villa will finish in a European place this season.
Agbonlahor said: “A sleeping giant has been awoken. Fanbase, stadium, it’s a club that should be in Europe.
“The reason why [they will finish in the top seven] is that performance against Newcastle where we won 3-0. We absolutely destroyed them from the first minute to last, didn’t stop, didn’t get tired for 90 minutes.
“Emery is a manager who has won four Europa Leagues, he wants his teams to be in it, and this is why he has been so determined with this Villa side. I think certain managers suit certain teams, he’s come in and he’s suited Villa.
“When you watch Villa now it’s entertaining, it’s possession-based as well, and everyone looks like they know exactly what they’re doing on the pitch.”
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Match facts
- Fulham's Harry Wilson has scored in each of his last two Premier League games – he last scored in three consecutive league appearances between May and August 2019, a run which included his first ever Premier League goal (against Aston Villa).
- Only Ollie Watkins (20) has been involved in more Premier League goals for Aston Villa than Douglas Luiz this season (9 – 4 goals, 5 assists), with the Brazilian netting a late leveller against Brentford last time out.
- Following a four-game losing run, Fulham have beaten Everton 3-1 and Leeds 2-1 in their last two Premier League games. They've not won three in a row while scoring more than once each time since October/November 2001.
- Aston Villa have scored in all 19 of their Premier League games under Unai Emery, the longest consecutive scoring streak from the start of a manager's tenure in the competition's history. Only once have the Villans scored in more consecutively in the competition, a run of 24 between September and March in 2007-08.
- Fulham have won six Premier League away games this season, including a 3-1 victory at Everton last time out. It's their joint-highest number of away wins in a single top-flight campaign (level with 1960-61 and 1962-63).
- Aston Villa have won their last four Premier League home games by an aggregate score of 9-0. They last won five consecutive top-flight games at Villa Park between May-September 1998, while they last did so without conceding between March-April 1983.
- Fulham have won all four of their midweek Premier League games this season, one of just two sides with a 100% win record on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays this term, along with Manchester City (5/5).
- Aston Villa haven't won any of their last nine midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League home games (D5 L4) since beating Arsenal 1-0 in July 2020.
- Following their 3-0 win at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture, Fulham are looking to complete the Premier League double over Aston Villa for just the second time, previously doing so in 2013-14.
- Aston Villa have lost just one of their last 18 home league games against Fulham (W10 D7), winning the last three in a row, since a 2-1 loss in April 2014.
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