Fulham vs Aston Villa: Match preview, lineups, quotes, form, injuries and how to watch

When and where to watch Fulham vs Aston Villa

Fulham vs Aston Villa kicks off at 7.30pm on Thursday 20 October.

You can catch all the action from Craven Cottage on Prime Video via BT TV. 

Fulham vs Aston Villa match preview

Both these sides are looking to get back to winning ways following draws and defeats in recent matches.

Marco Silva will be buoyed by the return on Aleksandar Mitrovic last weekend, who immediately carried on where he left off, slotting home from the penalty spot.

With an array of attacking options, Silva will want to get at a Villa team that’s under pressure and sitting just outside the relegation zone.

Defensively though Fulham have been vulnerable and Villa have players with attacking potential that can exploit that. 

Unfortunately for Steven Gerrard, those players haven’t shown their attacking intent enough this season.

After a mini-revival of sorts, Villa found themselves on the end of another home defeat at the weekend.

Philippe Coutinho started on the bench against Chelsea, but could start against Fulham in order to offer more up front for the visitors.

Alongside the likes of Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, Villa have enough to cause the Cottagers problems. They’ll need to find a way of stopping Mitrovic at the other end though. 

Fulham vs Aston Villa predicted lineups

Fulham: (4-2-3-1) Leno; De Cordova-Reid, Diop, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Palhinha, James, Pereira, Kebano, Mitrovic.

Aston Villa: (4-3-3) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young, J Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Ings, Watkins.

Fulham vs Aston Villa: Injuries and suspensions

Fulham will be without Dutch defender Kenny Tete and French left-back Layvin Kurzawa through injury.

Nathaniel Chalobah is serving the last of his three-match suspension, after seeing red against Newcastle.

Defenders Lucas Digne and Ludwig Augustinsson continue their rehabilitation from injuries and should be back by the end of the month.

There was concern that Tyrone Mings had hurt his foot after the Chelsea match, but he’s fit and available to face Fulham. 

Fulham vs Aston Villa: Form guide

Fulham’s fine start to the season has stuttered a little bit in recent weeks, with two defeats and a draw in their last three matches.

The Cottagers were reduced to 10-men and lost star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic during the defeat to Newcastle.

Then against West Ham they had to play without their the Serbian international. He returned for the Bournemouth fixture and Fulham picked up a point.

With their top goalscorer back and firing in the starting eleven, Marco Silva’s men will see an opportunity to get back to winning ways at home against an under pressure Aston Villa side.

Pressure is mounting on Steven Gerrard after another defeat at home to Chelsea last time out. There had been signs Gerrard had started to turn things around with three draws (including one against Man City) and a win from their previous four outings. And while losing to an in-form Chelsea is no disgrace, the home fans are showing signs of discontent at Villa Park.

Villa currently find themselves one point and two places above the drop zone. They have the players to turn things around, but need to do so fast. 

He said what?!

Steven Gerrard after the Chelsea defeat last weekend:

“I think I'd be stupid not to be concerned and aware of where we're at. I'll accept that. Every time I've spoken to you guys I've fronted up. I won't hide from the responsibility, criticism or the noise coming from the stands today.

“But what I will say is that if these players can replicate that first hour today moving forward I don't think this team will have an issue and they certainly won't be in the area they're in now in the league because if we can do that to Chelsea and that level of opponent and reward ourselves with that level of chances, I don't think we'll have any issues.”

Fulham vs Aston Villa: Players to watch

Aleksandar Mitrovic returned against Bournemouth at the weekend after missing the West Ham match through injury. He quickly started where he left off, with a goal from the penalty spot to salvage a point at Craven Cottage.

The striker is so crucial to Fulham and the way they play. Against a Villa side struggling for points, Mitrovic will be keen to continue his impressive goalscoring record this season.

Leon Bailey is back. For a Villa side that has found it difficult to break teams down, his direct attacking style offers something different to Steven Gerrard.

After suffering from injury he returned against Chelsea at the weekend. However, he came off in the second half. With some minutes now in his legs and a likely less stubborn defence than what he faced against Chelsea, Bailey’s direct approach could pay dividends. 

Fulham vs Aston Villa: Key stats

• Up and at ‘em: Aston Villa have won just two of their last nine Premier League games against promoted sides (D3 L4), with both of those victories coming against Norwich last season.

• Capital capitulations: Since the start of last season, Aston Villa have lost seven of their eight Premier League away games against London sides, with the exception being a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. They’ve conceded in each of their last 12 top-flight visits to the capital, but on the other hand have only failed to score in one of their last 17.

• Mid-week misfits: Fulham have won just two of their last 17 midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Premier League games (D7 L8), but did beat Brighton 2-1 in their only such game so far this term.

• Thankless Thursdays: Aston Villa have a lower win rate on Thursdays than they do any other day of the week in Premier League history, winning just two of their 11 games played on this day (18%).

• Sloppy shooting: Only Wolves (3.5%) have a lower shot conversion rate than Aston Villa (6%) in the Premier League this season, who have netted just seven goals from 116 attempts.