Fulham vs Aston Villa tips and predictions: Villans determined to keep in touch with top four

Finishing in the top four and bagging Champions League football was always going to require a truly special effort from Aston Villa.

Following a run of two wins from seven in the Premier League, it appears that the club’s top four ambitions are slowly beginning to fade.

After beating Man City and Arsenal in back-to-back games last December, some dared to think of an unlikely title challenge.

In the end, reality has come knocking at the door. The pressure and intensity of the Premier League seems to have finally caught up with the Villans who enter Saturday’s match on the back of three defeats in four games across all competitions.

Of course, anything can still happen. Who’s to say Villa can’t experience a second wave? Who’s to say that Tottenham and Manchester United will continue their current run of form?

The important thing for Unai Emery’s side is to keep the focus on themselves.

This weekend, the Villans travel to Fulham who certainly won’t make life easy. The Cottagers have lost just one of their last five matches across all competitions. They also picked up a 3-1 success against Bournemouth last weekend.

European ambitions are seemingly out of reach for Fulham, though getting one over Villa would take them within touching distance of Chelsea.

Finishing above the Blues is well on the cards, and for many of the Cottagers faithful that would arguably mean more than a spot in the Europa Conference League.

Saturday’s encounter has the makings of a close match. With that in mind, we’re backing a one goal winning margin and over 2.5 goals.

 

Team news

Fulham will be without Raul Jimenez and Kenny Tete. Tosin Adarabioyo remains a doubt.

Villa, on the other hand, will be missing Emiliano Buendia, Jhon Duran, Boubacar Kamara, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings. Diego Carlos remains a doubt.

 

Key stats

- Aston Villa have won four of their last five Premier League games against Fulham
- Fulham have won six of their last nine home PL matches
- Aston Villa have won their last nine PL games against teams from London
- Aston Villa have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two away PL games 

 

Suggested bets

One goal winning margin
Over 2.5 goals
Aston Villa to score first