Aston Villa are gearing up for a crucial encounter against Fulham in the Premier League, with significant implications for their season aspirations. A victory is essential for Villa to maintain their pursuit of a top-four finish and improve their standing in the league. With Fulham just three points above Manchester United, a loss could bring Villa perilously close to the relegation zone, should results not favour them.
Looking at the head-to-head statistics, Aston Villa have the upper hand over Fulham, having won five of the last six meetings in the league. However, they have struggled historically at Craven Cottage, winning just six of their 35 league visits. Fulham, on the other hand, are seeking to extend their unbeaten home streak in the Premier League to four matches for the first time since 2012.
Marco Silva's side is yet to score from a set-piece this season, and this could be an area where Villa's defensive unit can capitalise. Aston Villa's strong form under manager Unai Emery is evident, as they have remained unbeaten in their last 12 matches in London, aside from a single defeat to Crystal Palace on the final day of the previous season. Emery has a stellar record against Fulham, winning all five league meetings by a total scoreline of 15-4.
Key players for Villa include Jhon Duran, who has the best goal-to-minute ratio in the Premier League this season, averaging a goal every 46 minutes. On the Fulham side, Raul Jimenez is in good form, with nine goals in his last 11 Premier League starts.
This match not only represents a chance for Villa to secure their best start to a Premier League season since 1998-99 but also to extend their chances of achieving consecutive clean sheets for the first time since December 2023. As fans prepare for the game, sources like The Villa Blog highlight the importance of this fixture, reiterating that while the game against Fulham is critical, it also serves as a stepping stone towards future fixtures.
With the stakes high, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this key match on Saturday.