Fulham vs Aston Villa Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

Villa will travel to west London to take on Scott Parker's Fulham on Monday
Villa will travel to west London to take on Scott Parker's Fulham on Monday / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Two games, seven goals conceded, and a grand total of zero points...the new season may be young but things are looking rather alarming for Fulham and Scott Parker so far in advance of their home game against Aston Villa on Monday.

The Cottagers showed a little bit of fight in the last half hour of their 4-3 defeat to Leeds last weekend, but with new signings continuing to bed in, and the defence looking just a little bit suspect, it could be a long season for the men in white.

By contrast, Villa fans have had some cause to feel tentatively optimistic in their second Premier League season since promotion. They have won all of their games against Premier League opposition thus far (ok, they have only played one) and are putting a little League Cup run together.

Read on for 90min's preview of a match which could well play its part in showing us who the league's relegation candidates are this season...


Where to Watch on TV

When is Kick Off? Monday 28 September
What Time is Kick Off? 17:45 (BST)
Where is it Being Played? Craven Cottage
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK)
Referee? Stuart Attwell


Team News

In what is surely a rarity during this stacked sporting schedule, Scott Parker confirmed that Fulham will be playing with tired legs but a full bill of health against the Villans on Monday.

Fear not Vila fans, you'll have Ezri Konsa against Fulham
Fear not Vila fans, you'll have Ezri Konsa against Fulham / Julian Finney/Getty Images

Despite fears that Ezri Konsa had picked up a hamstring strain against Sheffield United last weekend, Villa are in a similar position, with only their long-term absentees unavailable.

That means that Tom Heaton and Wesley, who both picked up nasty knee injuries last season, won't be playing, while Björn Engels' own achilles problems will keep him out.


Predicted Lineups

Fulham: Areola; Tete, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Anguissa, Reed; Knockeart, Onomah, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane; Traore, Watkins, Grealish.


Recent Form

Fulham have struggled to find the right balance in their side since promotion, and were given a not-so-warm welcome back to the Premier League in the form of a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on opening day.

While EFL Cup victories over Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday will provide Parker with some solace, things need to change fast.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his first league goal of the season against Leeds
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his first league goal of the season against Leeds / Pool/Getty Images

Villa, on the other hand, are currently three wins from three in all competitions this season, having again upgraded their squad with a number of exciting additions. A gruelling win over ten-man Sheffield United came either side of cup wins over Burton Albion and Bristol City, with Villa's new marksman Ollie Watkins featuring on the scoresheet on both occasions in the cup.

Here's how the two sides have fared recently (and not-so-recently)...

Fulham

Brentford 1-2 Fulham (4/8)
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/9)
Ipswich 0-1 Fulham (16/9)
Leeds 4-3 Fulham (19/9)
Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (23/9)

Aston Villa

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (21/7)
West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa (26/7)
Burton Albion 1-3 Aston Villa (15/9)
Aston Villa 1-0 Sheffield United (21/9)
Bristol City 0-3 Aston Villa (24/9)


Prediction

Anguissa has provided that touch of class which Fulham desperately need
Anguissa has provided that touch of class which Fulham desperately need / Pool/Getty Images

Fulham looked rather chaotic at the back in their first two games, and with significant defensive reinforcements not forthcoming, it's a trend that you would expect to continue against Dean Smith's Villa side on Monday.

Equally, it does look as if they may be slightly more clued up on the attacking side of things, with the introduction of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa into the first-team picture giving the Cottagers a real helping hand against Leeds last weekend.

With Villa looking rather more assured and professional (so far) than they did last season, another Fulham loss seems to be on the cards. But in this free-scoring Premier League season, at least it won't be boring.

Prediction: Fulham 2-3 Aston Villa