Fulham face a significant challenge at Villa Park on Saturday evening with Ryan Sessegnon suspended and Emile Smith Rowe a fitness doubt. The Premier League fixture, which kicks off at 20:00 and is live on Sky Sports Main Event, sees the 15th-placed Cottagers take on a Villa side sitting ninth in the table.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Sessegnon's absence after his red card, leaving a gap on the left flank where Antonee Robinson is the primary outlet. Smith Rowe's involvement is uncertain after he missed the midweek Carabao Cup defeat. "He was injured two weeks ago against Hull," Arbeloa said. "After that, it's difficult for every player to be involved in every game because we have 23 players." Bernd Leno is expected to return in goal after being rested for the 0-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Recent Form and Context
Fulham's form has been inconsistent, with two wins, two draws, and four losses from their opening eight league games, leaving them on eight points. Their recent results include a 1-0 win at Coventry and a 1-0 home victory over Hull City, but they followed those with a 2-1 loss at Ipswich and the midweek cup defeat. They have failed to score in their last three away matches.
In contrast, Aston Villa have won two consecutive league games, including a notable 2-1 victory over Manchester City, and are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches overall. They have scored in each of their last five home games. Villa manager Unai Emery is expected to recall his strongest side after making changes for a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss at Bournemouth, with Nicolas Jackson leading the line having scored four goals in his last four league appearances.
The Villa Park Challenge
Historical data shows the size of Fulham's task. In 40 previous league meetings at Villa Park, the hosts have won 24 times to Fulham's six. Unai Emery has faced Fulham nine times as a manager, winning eight of those encounters. Villa will be without the injured Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amadou Onana, and Matteo Ruggeri.
Arbeloa acknowledged the quality of the opposition and their manager. "They are very compact, they defend so well and even with the ball they know what they have to do," he said. "I think right now he is one of the best coaches in the world." Fulham's last win at Villa Park came in 2014, and their most recent meeting ended in a 1-0 home win for the Cottagers.
Fulham, with eight goals scored and ten conceded this season, need to find a cutting edge on the road to improve their league position. The match at Villa Park is their final fixture of October.
