Fulham v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking points

Fulham welcome Aston Villa in Saturday's early kick-off (12:30 BST) at Craven Cottage, with both sides fighting for European qualification. Fulham are looking to reverse a dip in their attacking output, while Villa seek to cement their strong record in this fixture.

Fulham searching for goals

Fulham's recent home clashes with Aston Villa mark a shift from earlier seasons. After losing only two of the first 13 Premier League meetings at Craven Cottage, they have since been beaten in three of the past four.

Regardless of the opposition, goals have been hard to come by of late for the Londoners. Marco Silva's side have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League matches, as many as across their previous 25 combined. Since the start of 2026, only Fulham and Wolves have scored fewer first half goals in the league (four).

A Fulham win would move them within a point of a guaranteed European place. However, seven of their last eight league wins have come against teams starting the day in the bottom half; they have managed just one victory from their last eight against top-half opposition.

[BBC]

Villa close to Champions League return

Precedent show Aston Villa are well placed in the Champions League race. No side has ever failed to qualify after holding a double‑figure points advantage with five matches remaining, as they did prior to the midweek games.

Villa will head to west London having won their last six Premier League games against Fulham, a run dating back to October 2022. Villa's manager Unai Emery has won all eight of his league meetings with the Cottagers – a perfect record bettered only in longevity by Pep Guardiola against a single opponent.

One player who might especially be looking forward to Saturday is in-form striker Ollie Watkins. The Englishman has enjoyed this fixture, scoring six Premier League goals against Fulham.