Fulham versus Aston Villa – Match Preview: English Premier League
The English Premier League kicks off once again for a new season as Fulham host Aston Villa at the Craven Cottage in London. Despite the threats posed by the London riots, the game is still on course to take place on Saturday 13th
of August at Fulham’s home stadium so let’s take a look at how both the teams will start off the new 2011-2012 season...
Fulham
A new manager at the helm at Fulham in shape of Martin Jol is sure to make a difference in their style of play, Fulham used to play in a much more English way under the former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes but under their
new Dutch tactician, they have already shown signs of resilience which will be vital for them if they intend to do well in the upcoming Premier League season. Fulham’s main cause of concern still remains their back line which is susceptible to counter attacks
by exploiting their weak full backs.
The Cottagers are currently competing in the qualification stages of the Europa League which is a problem for Jol who has a limited squad at his disposal. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Arne-Riise-c18833 is a new addition to their small squad and it looks like
the spending has stopped at the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 fullback despite the fact that Fulham do need investment in the midfield area.
Aston Villa
Like their prospective opponents on Saturday afternoon, Villa are also with a new manager but the situation in their dressing room and indeed in Birmingham is hostile to say the least. Excluding the controversy generated from the
riots in Birmingham, the Villains are quite unhappy about the appointment of the former Birmingham City manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 McLeish as Aston Villa’s new manager. McLeish has probably got a lot of work to do now considering that he has to win over the fans along with
winning over the players.
Villa parted ways with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stewart-Downing-c34221 and Ashley Young in the summer transfer window but they brought in Charles N’Zogbia from Wigan Athletic to compensate for these outgoings. It remains to be seen whether the loss of their two
wide-men who were their most productive players last season will have a lasting effect on their style of play but one thing is for sure that Villa will face an uphill task at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Team News
Both Kamara and Davies are doubts for Fulham with their fitness issues, which mean that Dembele and Zamora might start for the Cottagers on Saturday. In midfield, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-c10193 Murphy will play alongside Etuhu whilst at the back Hangelaand
and Hughes will resume their partnership.
Expected Fulham line up: Schwarzer, Salcido, Hughes, Hangelaand, Braid, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Dembele, Johnson, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zamora-c40983
Aston Villa on the other hand will start their life without Young and Downing on the wings with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358 with carry the goal scoring burden but Stephen
Ireland is a doubt for them thus it is expected that Petrov will start for them in central midfield.
Expected Aston Villa line up: Given, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Young, Albrighton, Bannan, N’Zogbia, Heskey, Bent
Prediction
Fulham are likely to win this encounter as they are playing at home and they are already at match fitness level due to their earlier commitments in the Europa League. Prediction: Fulham 2 – 1 Aston Villa.
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