Aston Villa have endured a tough couple of weeks since beating Chelsea 1-0 last month. Many thought it was the type of performance and result which would have galvanised them between now and the end of the season but it seems to have had the opposite effect. Since that famous win – a victory which manager Paul Lambert claimed was his best in charge – they have lost their following two games 4-1. What will be even more frustrating for Lambert is the fact that they took the lead in both of those games yet couldn’t hold on for any length of time and ended up well beaten on both occasions. One more win should ensure their Premier League status for another season, and with seven games to go the odds are well stacked in their favour but they will want to achieve that in the quickest possible time.
The situation looks very bleak for Fulham after losing yet another game last weekend. The 3-1 home loss to Everton has all but sealed their fate and they look set to return to the Championship for the first time since 2001. With just six games to go (having played one more than many of their rivals at the bottom), the Cottagers are five points from safety but also have the worst goal difference so it’s really six points. Having changed manager twice already this season, the writing was on the wall from some way out and their ageing squad looks as though it’s going to come up short. Their major problem has been their inability to prevent the opposition from scoring. Their current tally of 73 goals conceded works out at an average of more than two goals a game and it is the worst in the league by at least 12.
As well as their last couple of results on the park, Villa have also suffered another huge setback off it with the news that their Belgian striker Christian Benteke is ruled out for the next six months with ruptured Achilles. Although he has not hit the heights of his debut season, his influence in the team cannot be underestimated, and he remains the only Villa player who has reached double figures. The onus now falls on the likes of Gabrial Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann who have combined for just six league goals all season.
When Felix Magath was appointed in February, there were many questioning the need to change manager with such little time of the season left. It was also curious to do it so close to the January transfer window as it meant the German was unable to bring any new faces to the club. He is convinced that he will be around next season no matter which division the club are playing in but he was also adamant that Fulham would not be relegated when he first took over. Whether a 60 year old manager, who has never coached in the country before is what Fulham need next season is a question for another time.
Despite equalising last week Fulham were well beaten by an impressive Everton side. Aston Villa may not be in the best form either but they look more of a team than their opponents this weekend and that is so often crucial at this stage of the campaign. The absence of Benteke will make it more difficult but the home crowd can roar their team on to a vital three points which should all but secure their own safety, whilst knocking another nail into Fulham’s Premier League coffin.
Aston Villa 21/20 @ Betvictor
