Match Progress and Early Action
8 min Half-chances at both ends! First, Sessegnon delivers a well-curled cross to Jimenez, whose header is straight at Martinez, although the play might have been offside. Then Villa counterattack, with Buendia unleashing a powerful long-range shot that goes wide.
6 min Another corner for Villa. Digne swings it in, but Leno catches it calmly.
5 min The free kick results in a Villa corner, taken short but poorly executed as Jimenez clears easily.
4 min Villa advance into Fulham’s half, where Tielemans wins a free kick 40 yards out.
3 min From the free kick, the ball reaches the box, where Smith Rowe slips through but delivers a poor square ball that fails to find Jimenez.
2 min The first foul is committed by Morgan Rogers on Sander Berge in the centre circle.
1 min Fulham kick off and circulate the ball at the back. They wear all white, bearing a slight resemblance to Real Madrid. Villa are in claret and blue.
The teams line up as a drone camera captures the sparkling Thames under spring sunshine.
Other Matches and Context
Also today, at 5.15pm, there is an FA Cup semi-final featuring Southampton against Manchester City. Southampton, known for giant-killing, notably defeated City in the League Cup three years ago.
The first email of the day comes from a fan, Richard Hirst:
“We almost never beat Villa and we never beat Emery, so my hopes aren’t high.”
He adds:
“But we’ll always have the 2018 play off final to cling to: just a shame John Terry isn’t still Villa’s centre back.”
Indeed, John Terry may soon be managing Chelsea, adding an interesting twist to future encounters.
Today’s schedule is busy, with the taking a Sunday off tomorrow, perhaps to show younger fans what life was like in the Seventies.
Three games kick off at 3pm: Liverpool host Crystal Palace, who are 13th but still in the race for Europe with a game in hand. Liverpool have won their last two league games but have been eliminated from all other competitions. West Ham welcome Everton in the David Moyes derby, anticipated to be hard-fought. Wolves face Spurs in a crucial match for Spurs’ survival hopes.
At 5.30pm, Arsenal attempt to regain winning form against Newcastle, who have struggled recently but remain dangerous, especially at corners.
Team Lineups and Tactical Notes
Marco Silva, possibly questioning his team’s lack of offensive threat, has selected an attacking bench. Issa Diop is the only defender among the substitutes besides Antonee Robinson, who is known for advancing forward. Tammy Abraham remains the most promising option for a late goal.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jimenez.
Subs: Lecomte, Diop, Robinson, Cairney, Reed, King, Bobb, Muniz, Kusi-Asane.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Mings, Lindelof, Maatsen, Douglas Luiz, Barkley, Sancho, Bailey, Abraham.
Team Updates: Villa Without Onana
Unai Emery has made four changes. One is enforced, as Amadou Onana is absent due to injury, with Lamare Bogarde replacing him in midfield. Pau Torres and Lucas Digne come in for Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen, respectively. Emi Buendia replaces Ross Barkley further forward.
Team Updates: Fulham Adjustments
Following a goalless draw at Brentford last week, Marco Silva has rotated his squad. Sander Berge returns to partner Sasa Lukic in midfield. Raul Jimenez leads the attack ahead of Rodrigo Muniz, and Samuel Chukwueze replaces Alex Iwobi on the left wing, with Iwobi sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Match Significance and Form
Good morning and welcome to the first Premier League game of the day. Both clubs are focused on European qualification.
Aston Villa, currently fourth in the table, are close to securing a Champions League spot. A better result than Manchester United’s upcoming match against Brentford on Monday would elevate Villa to third place. Additionally, winning the Europa League remains an alternative route to the Champions League, a competition in which manager Unai Emery has considerable expertise.
Fulham, positioned 12th, are long shots for Europe but remain hopeful. A victory today would move them up to tenth, potentially needing only one more win to reach sixth place. Moreover, a win would put them level on points with their turbulent neighbours, Chelsea.
Fulham must first rediscover their scoring touch, having failed to score in five of their last seven games, with goals only against relegated Burnley and struggling Spurs. While Fulham have yet to score in April, Villa have netted 12 goals in the past 16 days. Last Sunday, in an entertaining match at Villa Park, Villa became the first team to score four goals against Sunderland this season.
After a poor run yielding 12 points from 12 league games, Villa have collected seven points from their last three matches and also recorded a comprehensive victory over Bologna.
The form book favours Villa, who won the reverse fixture 3-1 in September. However, Fulham have a better home record than Villa’s away form. Fulham do not need to rotate their squad, are desperate for points, and may be due some goals, suggesting a competitive encounter ahead. Teams will be announced shortly.
