Infoinsport.com – Fulham will be seeking their second victory in the Premier League Summer Series when they face Aston Villa at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday night.
The Cottagers emerged victorious in a thrilling match against Brentford, with five goals scored. Meanwhile, Villa had a draw with Newcastle United in the United States.
Match preview
After immediately returning to the Championship following promotions in the 2017-18 and 2019-20 campaigns, many neutrals expected Fulham’s Premier League status to only last for one season.
However, Marco Silva’s team defied expectations and never appeared to be in danger of being in a relegation battle, ultimately finishing in 10th place after contending for European qualification at times during the season.
The Cottagers need to make sure that they avoid second season syndrome in the 2023-24 season, and the West Londoners had a successful beginning to their Summer Series campaign on Sunday night when they faced Brentford.
Harry Wilson scored an impressive curler in the third minute to open the scoring in Philadelphia against Thomas Frank’s Bees, and additional goals from Bobby Reid and Vinicius secured all three points.
Fulham has not made any new signings in this summer window yet, but they have extended the contract of experienced winger Willian at Craven Cottage, following a successful season for the Brazilian at the club last year.
Last season, Aston Villa progressed from the brink of a relegation battle to securing a place in the top seven, all thanks to Unai Emery. His current objective as the manager is to ready the club for their first continental appearance in 13 years.
The Europa Conference League football is set to arrive in the Second City in 2023-24, and Villa have started their pre-season preparations by playing two consecutive draws against Walsall and, most recently, Newcastle.
When Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia scored two goals within 15 minutes against the Toon Army on Sunday night, it seemed like the West Midlands outfit would secure three points in the Summer Series.
However, goals from Elliot Anderson, Alexander Isak, and Callum Wilson enabled Eddie Howe’s team to secure a draw, even though Buendia scored his second goal of the match on 48 minutes.
The 3-0 defeat suffered by Villa at Fulham in October 2022 was a major disappointment for former manager Steven Gerrard, and it is astonishing to think that Emery managed to motivate and unite that team of players to secure a spot in Europe by the end of the season.
Team News
Fulham is on the verge of losing their talisman this summer as Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to remain on the sidelines, striving to secure a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Joao Palhinha has also been associated with a move away from Craven Cottage during this transfer window. However, any potential agreement with West Ham United has been jeopardized following the midfielder’s dislocated shoulder injury in the previous match against Brentford.
Aston Villa made the decision to bench new signings Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans for the match against Newcastle. However, both players are expected to start in Orlando.
The confirmation of Moussa Diaby’s transfer from Bayer Leverkusen came late last week, and there is a possibility that the winger might be included in the matchday squad at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday night.
Lineup Prediction
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Tete, Parkes, Diop, Robinson; Reed, Cairney, Lukic, Wilson, Willian; Vinicius
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Casha, Torres, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Luiz, Tielemans; Archer, Buendia, Watkins
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa
Despite Mitrovic’s absence, Fulham displayed excellent attacking form and should feel confident about securing their second Summer Series victory in Orlando.
Under the guidance of Emery, Aston Villa appears to be a formidable team, and with the inclusion of Torres and Tielemans in the starting lineup, they have the potential to achieve a perfect score on Wednesday evening.
