This is a strange one because I think if we win, we'd all come away thinking it was a really good result and we're back on track, yet lose and it'll be the end of the world to many people on here.
Must win game I thinkI'd say that is the Norwich game. A point would suffice here.
2-1 to Villa, the start of a good run for us.Must win game I thinkI'd say that is the Norwich game. A point would suffice here.
England would be Aston Villa. A very long time ago they were considered to be the best, yet slipped down into mid-table dross with the occasional flirt of optimism that usually ends in vain. The football now is rather dull and everyone laughs when they don't win.
If we can't dominate Villa at the Cottage, then we should be worried the entire season. I think we win it 3-1 in a tjl special.
I don't agree this is a must win game. A draw would be a good result
I haven't seen any official suggestion kea is injured. Is that right? Any news on Bennett and Ireland?
I think benteke and bent up front
The England are Villa comparison seems spot on.
Two interesting comments from friends of Fulham forum:
If England where a club side, who would they be?QuoteEngland would be Aston Villa. A very long time ago they were considered to be the best, yet slipped down into mid-table dross with the occasional flirt of optimism that usually ends in vain. The football now is rather dull and everyone laughs when they don't win.
And their match threadQuoteIf we can't dominate Villa at the Cottage, then we should be worried the entire season. I think we win it 3-1 in a tjl special.
The England are Villa comparison seems spot on.
I didn't realise Fulham laughed everytime we lost tbh, didn't think they'd pay the slightest bit of attention to us
Pies are £3.90 at Fulham !!
They also have the most expensive programme in the PL at £3.90
I hope I don't get gobbed on like last year (by Villa fans).Outrageous if true ?
Making my debut at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
I hope I don't get gobbed on like last year (by Villa fans).Outrageous if true ?
Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke
Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke
Bloody hell, thats depressing.
Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke
Bloody hell, thats depressing.
We've only won 2 in the league since then, our last 23 matches are w 2 d 10 l 11 pts 16. That is depressing.
Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke
Bloody hell, thats depressing.
We've only won 2 in the league since then, our last 23 matches are w 2 d 10 l 11 pts 16. That is depressing.
I think I am losing the will to live now.
Gabby hasn't scored a league goal for about 4 years now has he?He's scored a few v Fulham in the past.
Any update on KEA ?
Any update on IKEA ?
Is that pre-match nervous humour ;)Any update on IKEA ?
Yes it's a mass market furniture store where you can waste your whole Saturday looking for that elusive bargain!
Any update on IKEA ?
Yes it's a mass market furniture store where you can waste your whole Saturday looking for that elusive bargain!
I'm optimistically going for a Villa win. Me and the boy going in the Neutral end. Any idea if colours are frowned upon in there?Was in there last year.Colours absolutely fine.Was surrounded by mainly Villa fans and Americans
Back again in a fortnight for the Everton game with my daughter, who unfortunatley takes after her Mum!
I'm optimistically going for a Villa win. Me and the boy going in the Neutral end. Any idea if colours are frowned upon in there?Was in there last year.Colours absolutely fine.Was surrounded by mainly Villa fans and Americans
Back again in a fortnight for the Everton game with my daughter, who unfortunatley takes after her Mum!
I'd like to see
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Bennett
Holman KEA Delph Agbonlahor
Bent Benteke
Subs, Given, Lichaj, Albrighton, Bannan, Westwood, N'Zogbia, Weimann
Missing out, Bowery, Baker, Herd
I'll go 1-1, Bent
Paul Lambert faced reporters in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Fulham.
Please find below the collected best bits from his preview with the media.
Match sure you watch the full television briefing with Lambert on AVTV.
Q] Will your players be wearing 'Kick it Out' t-shirts at Fulham?
A] Absolutely, yes. I don't see any issue with that at all. The lads will go and do it. Contrary to some reports saying they weren't going to do it, that is totally misinformed and I'm not happy with that. But the lads won't have a problem with it. As far as I'm concerned, the lads will back it, and quite rightly so.
Q] What are your views?
A] There is no place for racism, none whatsoever but in any walk of life. It's disgusting really that it keeps going on. You keep hearing the same argument that FIFA and UEFA need to do something. You've got to do something now. There is no point in talking about it. It is a real valid point that you should bring your players off. It can affect individuals. It is wrong and disgusting really.
Q] What are your views on Christian Benteke scoring for Belgium against Scotland?
A] He's dropped! I saw his goals against Serbia and Scotland. Christian is playing in a right top Belgium side and more than holding his own. For someone who is only 21 and the way he is performing and what he will do for this club will be terrific. I thought that when we signed him, this kid can be a right top player.
Q] What are your views on Fulham?
A] They are a good side and I thought that last season. They've added really well as well. Even at home they are a tough side to beat. We should've got something at Tottenham and if Christian scores with his header it's a different game. But we played well there and will go with a lot of confidence to Fulham to try and win.
Q] Do you like Craven Cottage?
A] It's a good atmosphere. I went there last year and there is always a good atmosphere there.
Q] What are your views on the new complex for England at St George's Park?
A] It's a great venue. I don't think you will see the fruition of it for a decade or so but at least it's a start. In the long term, it will be a great thing. It's probably overdue, you would say now, but it's here now so you may as well look forward to it.
Q] What are your views on Christian Benteke and Darren Bent?
A] I don't think you can compare them. They are two totally different players. Christian is a big, strong lad who gets hold of the ball for you. Darren is different. He can get in behind. Christian is a goalscorer too as his record with Genk and Belgium suggests. They are two totally different players. Darren is a scorer, absolutely. Everyone knows when you put the ball in the box, he can finish. That's why Darren has had the career he's had.
Q] How can you keep Darren Bent happy?
A] I have never had a problem. I have a laugh and joke with him in the week like I do with every other player. There's never been a problem. I understand players get frustrated when they are left out, I understand that. I'd be more worried if they weren't frustrated at being left out. I don't have a problem.He's not come knocking on my door. I was having a joke with him the other day.
Q] There have been rumours you haven't been on speaking terms with him?
A] No. I don't worry because I know it's not true.
Q] How good can Christian Benteke be?
A] I think he can be huge, anything he wants to be. As his career progresses I think he can be a top, top striker. He is a handful and he's only 21! He'll make mistakes. I said that when I signed him because he doesn't know everything about the game. But as time goes on and experience improves, he will be an absolute handful during his career. He's come in and done great.
Q] Is he the biggest transfer you've ever paid?
A] Yes. And it still makes me uneasy.
Our last away win 21st Jan 2012 ? Surely were due a win
1-2 Villa Bent, Benteke
Bent to open the scoring and Benteke to look like Drogba in his pomp as we smash these yoghurt knitting wet wipes into the middle of next week.Yoghurt knitting wet wipes. I like that, very much.
Hard to predict the team as always but I think it'll be: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, KEA, Delph, Holman, N'Zogbia, Benteke, Bent. (4-2-2-2)
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage
Date: Saturday, 20 October
TEAM NEWS
Fulham forwards Dimitar Berbatov and Mladen Petric have recovered from respective hip and calf injuries.
Mahamadou Diarra could also feature after a knee problem, but Bryan Ruiz is a doubt after suffering a groin injury on international duty last weekend.
Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland should return after missing three games with a broken bone in his wrist.
Joe Bennett will keep his place after recovering from a gashed leg, but Ciaran Clark is a slight injury doubt.
MATCH PREVIEW
This fixture opened last season's campaign for these two clubs and they have enjoyed different fortunes since. The goalless draw was Martin Jol's first match in charge of Fulham and he has steadily built on the solid foundations at the club. He'll face a different Scotsman in the opposite dug out at Craven Cottage, as Paul Lambert looks for just his second league win since succeeding Alex McLeish.
It's been a tough challenge for the new Villa boss, with five points from 21 representing their worst start since 1986. There has to be a touch of realism to their expectations. Some of their new faces have come from lower divisions and some from abroad, and they have to be given time to gel and adjust to the demands of the top flight. They joined a squad that won just seven matches last season and recorded the club's worst Premier League points tally.
Scoring goals has been a problem and even Darren Bent has lost his place in recent weeks, while they'll be hoping that Christian Benteke can follow up his goal for Belgium against Scotland this week with another one in the Premeir League to help them get any sort of result.
That is far from straight forward at Craven Cottage though, where Fulham are traditionally strong and only four teams won last season. They also pushed the champions all the way in their last home game. They have won four matches already and will still be frustrated that figure isn't five after events at Southampton last time out.
I watched them win at Wigan last month and they look more of a threat in front of goal this season with the likes of Berbatov, Rodallega, Petric and Ruiz.
Villa haven't won away since January and will need to be at their very best to prevent Fulham having another profitable day in front of goal.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
•Fulham have only won three of their 22 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa. All of those victories have come at home.
•The goalless draw between these sides on the opening day of last season was the fifth stalemate in their last eight encounters at Craven Cottage.
Fulham
•Fulham have won nine and drawn two of their 13 home matches in 2012, earning 29 points out of a possible 39.
•Martin Jol's have scored 15 goals this season, a tally bettered only by Manchester United (17) prior to this weekend's matches.
•However, they have already dropped eight points from winning positions - only Southampton (11 points) have a worse record.
•Only Barcelona (66.7%) have a better shooting accuracy than Fulham (63.5%) across Europe's top five leagues this season.
Aston Villa
•Five points after seven matches is Villa's worst start to a top-flight season since 1986-87, when they were relegated.
•They are winless in their last 12 Premier League away matches spanning 10 months (D5, L7).
•Only Sunderland and Norwich have scored fewer goals than the six mustered by Villa in their seven Premier League matches.
•They have not conceded a first-half goal in their last five league matches - but let in eight second-half goals during that time.
We do need a diamond in midfield!Hard to predict the team as always but I think it'll be: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, KEA, Delph, Holman, N'Zogbia, Benteke, Bent. (4-2-2-2)
I agree, but wonder if Holman will be rested after his travels. Ireland might get the nod. Not sure if n'zogbia will start, perhaps albrighton and a diamond
Bloody hell 1 win in 17 league games is a bloody awful record, we really need to start turning it around.I did not know it was that poor. That really is shocking.