Aston Villa FC
Fulham FC
Fulham FC
Aston Villa looking to cement a top half finish while Fulham can move out of the relegation zone
Aston Villa to win 2-1
Aston Villa have been boosted by two positive pieces of news this week. The first is that skipper Jack Grealish is ready to return to first team action after missing seven weeks through injury; the second is that Ezri Konsa has signed a new long-term deal at the club.
Both are crucial to the club’s success. For Grealish to have missed such a long period of time has really derailed their campaign, at one stage looking as though they could finish in a European position.
They have a great chance of finishing their season on a high, and should be confident with returning stars here.
Fulham will head into every game thinking that they must secure victory in order to achieve Premier League survival. In truth, with Newcastle playing so badly above them, a couple of results here or there may be enough.
With Villa having little to play for, can they spring a surprise here?
Form Guide (all comps): WLDDL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Grealish returning will be a massive boost
They beat Fulham earlier this season
Reasons to be fearful:
Just one victory from previous seven league games
Striker Watkins has struggled in front of goal recently
Aston Villa have the luxury of not having too much to play for in the nine remaining matches of the season.
While some clubs are relishing the challenge of a chase for a European position, Villa will be thankful that they are not fighting relegation as they were at this stage last season.
The fact that they are just a single point away from their highest points tally in a decade says just how far this club has come in just 12 months. It could have been better off if their captain had not been injured for so long.
Grealish will make his return after missing seven weeks and as many games, an important period for the club and one which has effectively ended their hopes of Europe.
Kourtney Hause is also fit to slot in at centre back if selected.
Star Man – Jack Grealish
What a player this boy is, he’ll be gutted to have missed such important games for both club and country recently.
Form Guide (all comps): DLWLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Could leap out of relegation zone with win
Haven’t lost away from home in eight games
Reasons to be fearful:
However, they’ve lost three of their last four overall
Villa have a good record against them
Fulham have done brilliantly to come so close to safety, it would be a hugely damaging blow if they weren’t able to pull it off now.
They have a good chance of overtaking Newcastle considering the way in which they Magpies are playing currently, but have faltered themselves recently just when they looked as though they’d leap to safety.
With three defeats from their last four games, they’ve stayed close to Newcastle’s coattails without taking advantage.
Here, Bobby Reid should be fit enough to return to the fold, having missed their two previous games due to injury.
Villa were far too good for them earlier in the season, winning 3-0, though the Cottagers will be hoping their fortunes have changed here.
Star Man – Bobby Reid
Fulham have certainly missed their top scorer recently, losing the two games in which he’s been missing.
Villa are favourites based on league position
Grealish returning gives them a huge boost
If Fulham score first, things could be interesting
In games such as this, league positions often go out of the window, especially when the team near the bottom is having to fight for their lives.
Aston Villa have no real incentive to play at their best, other than pride, whereas Fulham must do so in order to survive in the Premier League.
That’s not to say that Fulham are favourites – they aren’t – but they could cause Villa some problems here.
Aston Villa to win 2-1
