Match Preview: VILLA v Fulham

By: Chris | November 27th, 2008

Aston Villa v Fulham
Premier League
Villa Park
Saturday 29th November 2008, 3pm

High-flying Aston Villa host Roy Hodgson’s Fulham in a rare traditional 3 o’clock Saturday kick off at Villa Park. Villa are fourth on 24 points, one behind Manchester United in third and one ahead of Arsenal in fifth, while Fulham are ninth with 18 – one behind Everton and Portsmouth but only one ahead of Stoke City way down in 15th (and just four points above the relegation zone).

Premier League Form Guide

Aston Villa: WWLLWD

Villa hammered Wigan Athletic back in October (I was at Wembley watching the NFL International Series – sorry!) and followed up with a scrappy win over Blackburn at Villa Park. Defeats away at Newcastle United and at home to Middlesbrough were split by a magnificent away win at Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup (I went – it was my NFL penance). The blow of two defeats was softened by a superb win at Arsenal and an impressive point at home to Manchester United.

Fulham: DWLWWD

In the same period, Fulham have been in very decent form. One loss away at Everton has been countered by draws with Portsmouth and Liverpool, and excellent wins over Wigan, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.

Team News

Martin O’Neill will be able to choose from a very strong selection for Aston Villa. Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar has been playing at right back recently, but continues to struggle with a thigh injury. He’s fighting to be fit for Saturday but O’Neill seems doubtful. With the team playing well in his absence and Gabriel Agbonlahor making a real name for himself, John Carew has been told his starting berth for Villa is not guaranteed.

For my money, O’Neill will start with Brad Friedel in goal, Nigel Reo-Coker at right back, Luke Young at left back and Curtis Davies and Martin Laursen in the middle. Ashley Young, James Milner, Stiliyan Petrov and Gareth Barry are likely to play in midfield, with Gabriel Agbonlahor up front and either Steve Sidwell or Carew completing the 11.

Fulham are in rather good nick too. Manager Roy Hodgson can choose from almost a full squad. I can find absolutely no injury news from them which suggests there might not be any, but I believe (completely using my own knowledge and no outside help) Andranik Teymourian and Diomansy Kamara are long-term absentees.

Why Fulham at home is a must-win

We’ve had a great couple of weeks and Villa must beat Fulham in order to avoid sullying them with mediocrity. After all, there’s no point taking four points from Arsenal and Manchester United if you lose to Fulham and Middlesbrough on your own territory.

It’s also important to get some momentum going – we’re fourth in the table and, ideally, we’d like to stay there. Obviously that means we have to beat most of the Premier League teams whenever they come calling, but it’s vital at the moment because we’ve just moved into the top four and it would be great to establish ourselves in that position for a few weeks at least. You know, to give the players a taste of what they should be achieving.

In terms of rivalry, there’s not a whole lot to be said. Fulham Football Club and its supporters tend to be welcoming and friendly, if a little quiet. They’ll probably not bring too many supporters, but living two Tube stops from Chelsea probably doesn’t help. I admit to preferring Fulham to many sides because they’re my most local league team, but I do quite dislike their nasty diving little Bluenose “striker” Andrew Johnson. Look out for his cheating on Saturday.

Betting