First of all, despite the nature of the article title, I am aware that UEFA Champions League qualification is not totally sealed with a win here today, however it would be pretty damn unlikely if a team was to catch up with us if we won today, like it still would be if we didn’t win. Welcoming our fans to the Putney End (great away day by the way, gutted I missed out on a ticket), Fulham have been a good side all season, much like all of the other teams in and around that area, and have every chance of qualifiying for some form of European football. Well, that pretty much comes to an end if they do not walk away with a victory today, so you know damn well they’ll be up for it. I was dead confident, but it’s 6.15am on the morning of the game and I have just made my coffee and all of a sudden I feel different, like I always do.
The form guide has us 12th in the Premiership, having won 2 in 5, meanwhile our hosts sit 17th, having won 1 in 5. To be honest, as good a side as I believe Fulham are, I watched them against Brentford in the early slot last Saturday and they offered minimal threat from what I saw and it was Brentford’s game to lose. As for the Villa, we’ve been kicking recently, being unbeaten in three in the Premiership after last week’s rollercoaster against Sunderland, and knocking Bologna and Lille out of the Europa League. I’ve seen it all before, I must say, where our opponents have previously struggled against teams below us so I think we are going to win, and it just doesn’t happen, so I will not be basing much on this form guide, but it’s there.
Team news suggests that Fulham will be without Kevin and Kenny Tete (I’ve never heard of Kevin Tete), and Iwobi faces a late fitness check for a thigh problem. That suggests to me that they haven’t got much to deal with. As for us, we’re in a relatively similar position – Kamara remains sidelined long-term, and I read that Maatsen may find himself out the lineup for Digne, and that Tammy may have injured himself scoring that goal last week, which we all saw when we watched it back.
Emery’s press conference suggests that his intentions are to finish in the highest possible league position this season, and that we will be relentless regardless of whether our fate is sealed or not. He also said that we must use the momentum from the last three games, which is what I think we have always done – we are very much a momentum team.
There we have it, a general round-up of what is going to be a tough fixture in West London. As much as I’ll be enjoying this one in sunny Birmingham, having checked the weather forecast I can tell you that it is going to be a very bad day to be a pint in West London! – and Birmingham, for that matter 😉
I am going for 1-2 to the Villa, because I am trying to be confident, but it wouldn’t shock me if this ends a draw. Lets do this!
UTV!
“His intentions are to finish in the highest possible league position this season” – I know, obvious, before somebody pulls me up on that. I just mean we’re not going to take our foots off the gas.
I would not be surprised if Maatsen plays midfield on our left. He looked sharp last week.
Hey what do I know?
Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, Buendia, Rogers, McGinn and Watkins.
Full bench apart from Kamara – obviously – including Abrahams. I thought his arm collided with the post last week so probably just bruising.
No Iwobi which is a blow for Fulham but Wilson starts.
Hoping for a win so we can relax – well just a little bit 😄
Just don’t bottle it!
Alfie, this is it now, today will tell us if we are and not, what’s up about Onana he’s not in the squad? Is he carrying a knock? Cannot wait come on you Villans.
Hitch, TNT started saying Onana wasn’t in the squad?
Bogarde in for Onana then, I’m worried now, I wonder why the change.
According to Emery Onana not feeling good yesterday. BBC named him in the line up. Big miss.
Difficult for Harry Wilson if the rumours are true about signing. Imagine if he did some damage today. He would be less popular than Sancho.
Of course we are still going to win. 2-1 to villa.
Ffs.
Once again Villa stand at the foot of a mountain and turn away not relishing the task.
Without Onana or Kamara, we don’t look the same. I’m surprised Barkley isn’t starting instead of Buendia considering he’s ineligible for Europa. Bogarde lacks the physical presence that Onana has and probably better suited at RB. The game felt a bit flat to me and typical Fulham scored from their first real chance. Will Emery really care about putting too much in this game considering Forest look excellent suddenly and will be rested.
Oh fucking hell come on lads lose today and Lucian could go above us
Liverpool
We fanny about too much. Football is going more direct instead of constant passing. It’ll cost us. We need a result here more than we think.
Much too slow – no energy
Ollie misses again we need something here forest will be bouncing after last night’s result aa well
I stand by it we’re the most physically weak side in the league.
I knew this would happen. Records are there to be broken…works both ways!!!
Come on lads!!!!
I will take a draw at this moment. I just can’t understand why Emery doesn’t trust Maatsen.
It’s a reoccurring story with Villa – always struggling to get over the line and more often than not falling at the final hurdle.
Plain to see we have part-time players at Villa, we don’t wake up till it’s too late, no doubt we missed Onana the thing is we don’t have players to fill those positions. Game we need to have won.
Shit we don’t make it easy very disappointing
A really poor lifeless performance. You can’t switch form on and off when you feel like it. Forest have momentum and I think they will win on Thursday if we don’t have Onana. We need to keep it alive for the second leg. Based on yesterday and today’s games, I can see us getting battered. I agree with Alfie that we are physically weak and struggle against teams who rough us up.
When I saw Bailey coming on I felt the game was over. Down to 10 men!! I will personally drive him to his next destination. For anyone who’s watched Yellowstone, I would consider the train station. 🤔
I just find it frustrating! Fulham pretty much negated going through the middle of the pitch. At that point going down the wings is important. With Digne in the team we come up short. He no longer has the pace to go beyond anyone. Hence I like Maatsen. Emery always reverts to certain players in matches like these and they often fail to deliver.
I knew it. 🤦♂️