MY ACCOUNT
– Aston Villa have won five of their last six matches
– Fulham have been beaten on three of their last four road trips
– Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win
Aston Villa appeared to be at risk of relegation in the early part of the season but an extraordinary recent run has seen them join the scramble for European qualification and they approach the match against Fulham needing a victory to climb into fifth place.
Unai Emery’s side drew 1-1 at Brentford on Saturday but finished the weekend just two points behind fifth-place Tottenham, who still have to come to Villa Park.
Fulham’s hopes of European football have faded but they are having an excellent season and remain on course for a top-half finish.
The Cottagers looked highly-motivated and focused when securing a hard-fought 2-1 success at home to Leeds on Saturday.
Aston Villa vs Fulham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Team news
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was substituted at half-time in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brentford due to illness but is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey and Philippe Countinho were absent at the weekend and remain injury doubts.
Fulham continue to be without Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is going through an eight-match suspension.
The Cottagers are also without defender Layvin Kurzawa but they can call on Dan James, who was ineligible to face parent club Leeds at the weekend.
The stats
Villa are on a nine-match unbeaten run and are seeking a fifth consecutive home win.
The Villans have taken maximum points from each of their last four home games without conceding a goal.
Fulham have registered back-to-back victories for the first time since February but have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven games.
Both teams have scored in four of the Cottagers’ last five fixtures.
Prediction
Villa have developed a winning habit over recent months and their charge towards European qualification can continue with a victory over Fulham.
Unai Emery deserves great credit for the work he has done in just six months in the Villa dugout. The Spanish head coach inherited a side perched just outside the drop zone having taken just nine points from their opening 11 matches.
At the time of Emery’s arrival, most Villa fans would have gladly settled for mid-table security, but hopes and expectations have been transformed.
Since Steven Gerrard’s October dismissal Villa have taken 42 points from 21 games, putting them in with a great chance of achieving a top-six finish.
Several Villa players have improved under Emery but perhaps none more than Ollie Watkins, who has helped himself to 11 goals in his last 13 appearances.
Fulham will have their hands full containing Watkins, and their threat at the other end is diminished by the absence of Mitrovic.
The Cottagers responded well without the Serbian in recent victories away to Everton (3-1) and at home to Leeds (2-1), but they face a tougher task against highflying Villa, who look worthy favourites to pick up a 16th league win of the campaign.
Back Aston Villa to win at 3/4 with LiveScore Bet.
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