Aston Villa starting XI to face Fulham at Craven Cottage – Kick Off 17:45pm (GMT)
GK
Emi Martinez
DEFENCE
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett
MIDFIELD
McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane, Trezeguet, Grealish (C)
STRIKER
Watkins
ON THE BENCH:
Steer, Elmo, Hause, Nakamba, Ramsay, Traore, Davis.
MATCH PREVIEW
Villa go into the second game of the Premier League campaign, visiting recently promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage
Last time out Villa despatched Sheffield United (1-0), courtesy of a Ezri Konsa header. It wasn’t always pretty, but an opening day victory felt like a very promising start to the season against a side who we hadn’t beaten in four previous attempts.
Equally, Villa’s recruitment has moved forward. Bertrand Traore was a fresh arrival and didn’t feature – he makes the matchday squad tonight. Many will have their eye on the former Chelsea and Lyon forward, especially after a sublime debut goal against Bristol City midweek.
Villa don’t have great pedigree against newly promoted teams and have taken just 1 point from 30 when in London. However, this is a new look squad that feels rejuventated having stayed up last term and finds itself on a promising early league and cup winning run.
With most of the first 11 rested midweek for the Carabao Cup victory, Grealish, Mings, McGinn and Watkins (who appeared as a sub) will be fresh.
Fulham must still be approached carefully, with a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal masked by a closer encounter when they lost out 4-3 against Leeds United.
It goes without saying that a second successive league victory would represent an excellent start to the new campaign for Dean Smith. We must first overcome Fulham, the type of side who, with respect, are the type of team Villa should beat to avoid being down the bottom of the division come May.
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So, unchanged starting eleven from Sheffield United, but the big news is the subs bench. Guilbert once again misses out despite a good showing in the Carabao Cup. Not really a surprise given how Elmo showed his versatility by filling in at centre back. Traore makes the bench at the expense of El Ghazi – his goalscoring exploits didn’t help him keep his place. Nakamba retains his place on the bench – I’d suggest this might be enough to put to rest any rumours of a move away.
Expect Davis and Traore to feature in the second half if we’re chasing the game – their pace and power could be a big asset against tired legs.
What a start. Grealish with the goal thanks to a great spot from McGinn within 5 minutes, then a good finish from Hourihane in the 15th. Hopefully we’ll continue this pressure and add to our lead before half time…
Mings’ goal came at the perfect time, pretty much killing off any hopes of a Fulham comeback after half time.
We probably should have scored a couple more, but 3 goals, 3 points, clean sheet, professional job done. Roll on Stoke in the cup! UTV