
Aston Villa can't afford many more slip-ups if they're to seal a return to the Champions League so this clash with Fulham is a must-win for Unai Emery's men.
What was shaping up as a momentous campaign is now in danger of becoming an anti-climax, with Villa losing to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semis after PSG knocked them out in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The season will still be considered a success if Emery's side can break into the Premier League top five but they have a bit of work to do with four games to go.
A 2-1 loss to Manchester City in their last league game, which brought up a goals bet for the Betting Desk, saw Villa drop down to seventh but they're still within striking distance and winning all their remaining fixtures should get the job done.
However, it won't be easy against a Fulham side sitting just once place below them in the table and a win at Villa Park would move the Cotttagers just three points behind Emery's men.
Fulham ended a run of two successive defeats with a 2-1 win at Southampton last time out as Ryan Sessegnon's late winner ruined a goals bet for our man Adam.
Marco Silva's men are still in the race for a European slot themselves and if they can beat Villa then it would set up a final burst towards the finishing line.
How the bookies view it: Villa home free
Aston Villa have been strong at home all season so it's no great surprise to see them as BoyleSports' 8/11 favourites. Fulham are 10/3 outsiders and the draw pays 11/4.
Recent head to head: A fixture Ful of heartache
Villa have been a bogey team for Fulham of late, with the Cottagers losing six of the last seven meetings. It ended in a 3-1 win for Emery's side when these teams faced off at Craven Cottage earlier this season.
Players to watch: Ollie has a clear run
With Marcus Rashford sidelined for the rest of the season, Ollie Watkins should start up front for Villa for the rest of their games. The striker needs just one more goal to surpass Gabby Agbonlahor as the club's all-time top Premier League goalscorer and is 21/20 at BoyleSports to take that tally to 75.
Alex Iwobi is having a stellar season for Fulham and needs just one more goal to hit double figures for the season. The midfielder is 12/5 at Paddy Power to either score or assist.
Probable line-ups
Rashford looks like being the only absentee for Villa while Fulham also have a pretty clean bill of health, with only Antonee Robinson and Reiss Nelson set to miss out.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Maatsen, Torres, McGinn, Tielemans, Kamara, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Andersen, Sessegnon, Berge, Iwobi , Lukic, Traore, Smith-Rowe, Jimenez.
Anything else catch the eye?
Villa have won six successive home games, each while scoring at least twice. It's their longest run of Villa Park victories while scoring two or more since January 1990. That suggests they will have too much firepower for Fulham and combining the home win with over 1.5 goals pays 11/10 at BoyleSports.
Things got out of hand a bit when these sides last faced off, with two red cards and seven yellows flashed. With so much at stake in this one, it could be another busy day for the officials and over 52.5 booking points pays 6/4 at Betfred.
This English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Fulham will be played on and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Aston Villa vs Fulham prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Aston Villa vs Fulham Betting Tips & Predictions
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