Unai Emery has the unique opportunity to match a 40-year-old club record for consecutive home wins when Aston Villa host Fulham.
Unai Emery might have suffered a significant setback last weekend when Aston Villa suffered a morale-sapping defeat at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest. The result also ended their six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. But with a win over Fulham at the weekend, it could match a 40-year-old club record for 13 consecutive home wins in the league for Aston Villa.
That loss against Nottingham did not hurt Aston Villa too much as their close rivals above them in the table also dropped points. After last weekend’s results, Emery’s side sat fifth in the table, with Liverpool and Arsenal only above them with a twp point lead.
Last time out against Fulham. 🥹@JMcGinn7 🤝 @TyroneMings pic.twitter.com/Zwxs5c4SEr
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 11, 2023
Emery will look for a victory and match one of the club’s formidable records. The Midlands side have already shaken off last weekend’s loss with a win over Dutch flyers AZ Alkmaar this week. Their striker, Vangelis Pavlidis, continued his scoring form and opened the scoring before Diego Carlos and Ollie Watkins ensured the three points. Hence, Emery will have all the faith to get three points on Sunday.
After another disappointing result last weekend, Fulham are not in a good place. The Cottagers have not won any of their last three top-flight games and suffered a late defeat at the hands of Manchester United last Saturday.
Not only will they have been disappointed with the outcome, but Fulham’s overall performance until Manchester United’s late goal must have built confidence in Marco Silva. The Portuguese manager remains desperate to see his side achieve consistent results to stand any chance of success this season.
As things stand, Fulham are well ahead of the danger zone. But who says they can’t get dragged into the relegation battle if results continue in the current theme?
Team News & Tactics
Aston Villa
The win over AZ Alkmaar did come at a cost for Unai Emery, who confirmed defender Diego Carlos will remain absent for the Fulham encounter. The Brazilian left the field injured in that midweek clash, although he might not have started against the Cottagers in any case.
Unai Emery: “I am always trying to be consistent with my plan and trying to be better today than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today." 👊
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 10, 2023
Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres will lead the backline for Villa in this encounter and potentially for the many upcoming games on their schedule. Jacob Ramsey is another player who remains out as he has Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia for a company on the sidelines.
Emery has recently switched to a different 4-4-2, which takes centre stage when in possession. In this system, Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will continue to lead the line, with John McGinn providing the width from the right side. Similarly, Nicolo Zaniolo will be deployed on the left side of the attack, while Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara will hold the midfield together.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Zaniolo, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins
Fulham
Marco Silva still has a few key players, especially central defenders, out of the equation ahead of the Aston Villa clash. Key defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Issa Diop are out of contention still, meaning the Cottagers will have to rely on veteran Tim Ream and Calvin Bassey to shore up the backline.
💬 On Villa: "They have been so dominant and achieved such good results, it's impressive. They haven't lost any points (at home), we want to be the first ones to do it."#AVLFUL pic.twitter.com/eXq8INyTRq
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 10, 2023
On a positive note, Adama Traore and Kenny Tete are still doubting but could go through a late assessment, which could see them make it to the matchday squad. Other than that, Silva should have a similar team for contention as he did last weekend against Manchester United.
Another concern with Fulham is the potential absence of young striker Rodrigo Muniz, who was impressive in the Manchester United game. He might have wanted to build on the momentum. But the injury suffered then could now allow the likes of Carlos Vinicius to take his place.
Besides, Fulham might field a similar side to last weekend, with Willian, Andreas Pereira, and Harry Wilson in the attacking third. Alex Iwobi might also start in midfield alongside Joao Palhinha, while Silva will retain his current full-backs in Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Iwobi; Wilson, Pereira, Willian; Vinicius
Key Stats
- Fulham’s only league victory in their last 19 visits to Villa Park came in April 2014 (D7 L11). They have lost on all four subsequent trips to take on Aston Villa. Aston Villa are on a run of four straight home wins against Fulham: two in the Premier League and two in the Championship
- Aston Villa can equal the club record of 21 Premier League victories in a calendar year, set in 1998. Only Manchester City have won more often in 2023. They could also start a season with six straight home league wins for the first time since 1959. The Villans last managed this in the top flight in 1932.
- Fulham have only won five of their 85 Premier League away fixtures against sides starting the day in the top six (D22 L58). All three of their league victories this season were against teams who start the weekend below them in the table.
- Aston Villa have scored three goals or more in each of their five Premier League home matches in 2023/24. The only side to do so in six successive home fixtures from the beginning of a season is Manchester City last year.
- Douglas Luiz has provided a goal or assist in each of Villa’s seven home league matches since the 1-0 win against Fulham in April. It’s the longest run ever by an Aston Villa player in the Premier League
Player to Watch
Ollie Watkins
"I didn't celebrate because I thought it was tight and it may be offside… you never know with VAR" 😬
Ollie Watkins reflects on another goal and another victory at Villa Park…
🎙️ @JeffBrazier | #UECL pic.twitter.com/kksn1UMFr9
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 9, 2023
The English striker made it to another one of Gareth Southgate’s squads, and this time around, he will hope his place sticks in the squad. The striker will want to continue impressing with his club form and potentially make Southgate play him regularly.
Having drawn a blank against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Watkins will be eager to return to scoring ways. A sturdy performance against Fulham could re-elevate his levels, help Villa regain their required levels in the league, and even extend his numbers this season.
Prediction
Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
Aston Villa are on a tremendous run of form ahead of the visit from Fulham at Villa Park. This team led by Unai Emery are on the brink of matching an old, 40-year-old record that would elevate their levels further. Creating history that way would surely put the Spanish tactician on the map with the club. But he would want his players to take all three points irrespective of that.
In recent weeks, Fulham have often met some teams at the wrong time. That is not to say they cannot beat Aston Villa in this contest. But Emerry’s side are coming into this game as overwhelming favourites to take three points and keep up the pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool above them on the table.
