Fulham vs Aston Villa predictions: Jaded Cottagers vulnerable against bogey side Villa
Tom Hill
Aston Villa can cement their Champions League spot by beating Fulham
Fulham have been goal-shy of late and have lost their last six meetings with Villa
Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win
Since taking over the Midlands club in October 2022, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side have completed finishing positions of 7-4-6 in the Premier League, securing European football throughout his tenure.
This season his side have made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League and are nigh on certain of a top-five finish in the Premier League, meaning Champions League football again next term.
One more victory will certify their spot among Europe's elite, and they could get it away at Fulham, whose season has started to hit the buffers after reaching the safety zone of 45 points.
Manager Marco Silva has done a fine job at Craven Cottage, but having been at the helm since 2021, there is talk his time in the job could be coming to an end.
The latest Fulham vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Fulham's star midfielder Alex Iwobi went off with a hamstring injury in their goalless draw with Brentford last weekend. That makes him a doubt for this game and he may well miss the rest of the season.
Villa are weighing up whether keeper Emi Martinez will be available. He missed his side's Europa League win over Bologna with a small injury earlier this month.
Boubacar Kamara remains a long-term absentee but January recruit Alysson could make his return at Craven Cottage.
The stats
Villa have beaten Fulham in their last six Premier League meetings. Scourge of the Fulham faithful has been Ollie Watkins, who has netted six times in the nine occasions he has faced the home side. Fulham have not scored in four of their last five matches, while the Cottagers have won just two out of their last nine matches against sides in the top half of the table. The Villans have conceded more goals than they have scored in their last five league games.
The latest Fulham vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Champions League football is virtually assured for Villa, whose main focus now will be their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
However, this rates an excellent opportunity to secure a top-five slot in the league against a Fulham side who are finishing the season with a bit of a whimper. Since the start of March, the Cottagers have recorded home wins against two sides in the relegation zone, Tottenham and Burnley, but otherwise they have been unable to score, suffering home defeats to West Ham in the league and Southampton in the FA Cup. Villa are undoubtedly one of their bogey sides, having lost to them three out of the last four times the Villans have visited Craven Cottage.
With star player Iwobi likely to be missing with injury, this could be another tough day at the office for Marco Silva's team.
