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Premier League Preview: Fulham - Aston Villa
Villans attempt to rob the Cottage
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29 Jan 2010 15:00:00
By Jamie Dunn
Kick-off: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 15:00 GMT
Craven Cottage, London
It has been a less than ideal start to 2010 for Roy Hodgson’s Fulham to say the least. After a strong finish to the last decade, including a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United, the Cottagers have failed to win in the Premier League for the duration of January, their most recent defeat coming in rather limp fashion as they allowed Tottenham to stroll to a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.
Still, Fulham remain in the top ten of the league, with the FA Cup and Europa League still to play for, so the Craven Cottage faithful will have few complaints. Saturday’s opponents Aston Villa are still riding high, but if Hodgson is looking for omens, he should look no further than to note that his side are unbeaten against Villa at home since February 2004.
Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill could barely have asked for a better start to the year; Villa have gone unbeaten in January, gaining a well-earned point against Arsenal and booking a place in the Carling Cup final at Wembley against Manchester United in the process. The Midlands-based club also remains in the FA Cup, booking a place in the fifth round with a 3-2 victory over Brighton.
Cup competition will be one of the last things on O’Neill’s mind this weekend though, as the battle for fourth place in the Premier League and a subsequent Champions League spot intensifies. With Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and even Liverpool now picking up points, Villa must continue their good form to stay in the hunt, meaning a win at Craven Cottage is imperative.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
Tottenham 2-0 Fulham (Prem)
Accrington Stanley 1-3 Fulham (FA Cup)
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Fulham (Prem)
Stoke 3-2 Fulham (Prem)
Fulham 1-0 Swindon (FA Cup)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal (Prem)
Aston Villa 3-2 Brighton (FA Cup)
Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn Rovers (Carling Cup – Villa win 7-4 on aggregate)
Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham (Prem)
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Aston Villa (Carling Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
The strength of Fulham’s squad continues to be tested as defender Paul Konchesky, midfielder Clint Dempsey and striker Andrew Johnson are injured. Chris Smalling, who is set to join Manchester United at the end of the season, looks set to feature, and Bobby Zamora could lead the line alone once more after returning against Spurs in midweek.
Possible Starting XI: Schwarzer; Hughes, Hangeland, Smalling, Baird; Duff, Murphy, Dikgacoi, Riise; Gera; Zamora.
Aston Villa
Villa have been rocked by the news that midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker could be facing three months out with a stress fracture in his ankle this week. Stephen Warnock is also struggling with a shin problem, but the long road to recovery for Wilfred Bouma looks to finally be at its end. The left back could feature from the bench after a year out.
Possible Starting XI: Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Luke Young; Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing; Agbonlahor, Heskey.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham
With the absence of Andrew Johnson and Clint Dempsey, the return of talisman Bobby Zamora is vital to Roy Hodgson. The former West Ham United striker has six goals to his name this season and will need to fire on all cylinders immediately in order to help Fulham out of their slump.
Aston Villa
Villa have a string of outstanding performers this season, but the most dynamic has arguably been James Milner. The midfielder is pivotal to almost every aspect of Villa’s play and has moved into a more central position to great effect since the return to fitness of Stewart Downing.
PREDICTION
Fulham are extremely difficult to break down and will prove a stern test for Aston Villa, but O’Neill’s side may shade the game – if only by the odd goal.
Fulham 0-1 Aston Villa
Craven Cottage, London
It has been a less than ideal start to 2010 for Roy Hodgson’s Fulham to say the least. After a strong finish to the last decade, including a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United, the Cottagers have failed to win in the Premier League for the duration of January, their most recent defeat coming in rather limp fashion as they allowed Tottenham to stroll to a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.
Still, Fulham remain in the top ten of the league, with the FA Cup and Europa League still to play for, so the Craven Cottage faithful will have few complaints. Saturday’s opponents Aston Villa are still riding high, but if Hodgson is looking for omens, he should look no further than to note that his side are unbeaten against Villa at home since February 2004.
Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill could barely have asked for a better start to the year; Villa have gone unbeaten in January, gaining a well-earned point against Arsenal and booking a place in the Carling Cup final at Wembley against Manchester United in the process. The Midlands-based club also remains in the FA Cup, booking a place in the fifth round with a 3-2 victory over Brighton.
Cup competition will be one of the last things on O’Neill’s mind this weekend though, as the battle for fourth place in the Premier League and a subsequent Champions League spot intensifies. With Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and even Liverpool now picking up points, Villa must continue their good form to stay in the hunt, meaning a win at Craven Cottage is imperative.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
Tottenham 2-0 Fulham (Prem)
Accrington Stanley 1-3 Fulham (FA Cup)
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Fulham (Prem)
Stoke 3-2 Fulham (Prem)
Fulham 1-0 Swindon (FA Cup)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal (Prem)
Aston Villa 3-2 Brighton (FA Cup)
Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn Rovers (Carling Cup – Villa win 7-4 on aggregate)
Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham (Prem)
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Aston Villa (Carling Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
The strength of Fulham’s squad continues to be tested as defender Paul Konchesky, midfielder Clint Dempsey and striker Andrew Johnson are injured. Chris Smalling, who is set to join Manchester United at the end of the season, looks set to feature, and Bobby Zamora could lead the line alone once more after returning against Spurs in midweek.
Possible Starting XI: Schwarzer; Hughes, Hangeland, Smalling, Baird; Duff, Murphy, Dikgacoi, Riise; Gera; Zamora.
Aston Villa
Villa have been rocked by the news that midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker could be facing three months out with a stress fracture in his ankle this week. Stephen Warnock is also struggling with a shin problem, but the long road to recovery for Wilfred Bouma looks to finally be at its end. The left back could feature from the bench after a year out.
Possible Starting XI: Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Luke Young; Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing; Agbonlahor, Heskey.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham
With the absence of Andrew Johnson and Clint Dempsey, the return of talisman Bobby Zamora is vital to Roy Hodgson. The former West Ham United striker has six goals to his name this season and will need to fire on all cylinders immediately in order to help Fulham out of their slump.
Aston Villa
Villa have a string of outstanding performers this season, but the most dynamic has arguably been James Milner. The midfielder is pivotal to almost every aspect of Villa’s play and has moved into a more central position to great effect since the return to fitness of Stewart Downing.
PREDICTION
Fulham are extremely difficult to break down and will prove a stern test for Aston Villa, but O’Neill’s side may shade the game – if only by the odd goal.
Fulham 0-1 Aston Villa
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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