Midfielder Simon Davies is hoping to start his first game for more than a month as Fulham try to extend their unbeaten home run to eight matches against Aston Villa. Martin O’Neill’s side have found the going tough over the last month failing to win any of their last five games and will give a late fitness test to defender Stephen Warnock.
Quick Check
Fulham
- Midfielder Simon Davies is hoping to start his first game in more than a month after a foot injury.
- Diomansy Kamara is also back in contention for a starting place after knee surgery.
- Fulham have taken 17 points out of a possible 21 from their last seven home fixtures.
- The Cottagers have not lost to Villa at Craven Cottage since February 2004 (five games).
- Left back Paul Konchesky is still an injury doubt.
- Striker Andy Johnson is struggling to overcome a knee problem.
- Defender John Pantsil is still out with a long-term knee injury.
- Midfielder Clint Dempsey could miss the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.
Aston Villa
- Defender Stephen Warnock is hopeful of finally overcoming a shin problem.
- Villa beat Fulham 2-0 when the teams met at Villa Park in August.
- Striker John Carew is struggling to recover from a knee problem.
- Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is out for up to three months with an ankle stress fracture.
- Marlon Harewood will be sidelined until April with a broken metatarsal.
- Full back Wilfred Bouma is still ruled out by a persistent toe problem.
- Villa have taken only three points from their last 15 in the Premier League.
Expert Advice
Fulham found Aston Villa too strong when the two sides met at Villa Park earlier this season but it could be a different story at the weekend with the Cottagers back at Fortress Craven Cottage. Roy Hodgson’s side has proved an unbeatable force at home over the last two months and they will be keen for that to continue, particularly after some disappointing results away from home. Form has temporarily deserted the visitors in the league and they come into the game seeking their first victory in six matches. But Martin O’Neill’s team are better than that and tight match looks on the cards, so Betsson’s odds of 3.2 for a draw appears a value bet.
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