Fulham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

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

[Legion]

From Auntie:

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.

[JUAN PABLO]

Bent and Benteke to start for me .

Benteke will be on a high after scoring for Belgium , Bent will be up for it. Then Benteke will tire after 60 mins and bring a fresh speedy Gabby on for 25/30 mins with a point to prove as well.

[Irish villain]

I'm going for a 2-1 away win now. Come on villa!

[danlanza]

Have a good day all you Villa who go down there.
UTV.

[olaftab]

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

We do need a diamond in midfield!

[olaftab]

A defeat today will be very worrying and the team will be under huge pressure to get a result against Norwich before the tough November fixtures one along.

[Toronto Villa]

I think it will be Bent and Gabby starting today. Both trained during the week, while Benteke had two games. Depending on how we're doing I reckon he'll be given a breather and come off the bench in the second half. Ireland, Holman and KEA in the middle and I think there could be a spot for Delph also protecting the back four.

2-0 Villa - Bent with a brace

[danlanza]

Good to see that most are being positive about our chances today. UTV.

[Shrek]

I think Bent will start if Ireland starts

Villa win 2-1

[Percy McCarthy]

I'd go:

Guzan
Lowton
Bennett
Clark
Vlaar

Ireland
KEA
Delph
Holman

Gabby
Benteke

[PaulWinch again]

Bloody hell 1 win in 17 league games is a bloody awful record, we really need to start turning it around.

[danlanza]

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.
Going to the boozer and the bookies now. Hopefully we can put this shocking stat into the back of our memories. UTV.

[Michel Sibble]

WM interview with PL, insists there isn't a problem with Bent (laughing and joking in training etc). I wasn't convinced. However WM thinks it's a hint that Bent will start.

Unfortunately I'm going for a 2-0 home win.

[Stu]

Really can't see us getting anything out of this, I think Berbatov will have a field day with our shoddy defence. Still no width to the team either.