Sabasports Match Preview
Premier League: Fulham vs Aston Villa
Kickoff Time: 2026-04-25 19:30 (HKT)
With one game in hand, Fulham have accumulated 45 points, sitting just 3 points behind eighth-placed Chelsea and emerging as a strong contender for European qualification next season. The side have delivered solid and consistent form recently, registering 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats across their last seven Premier League outings. Fulham are also strong at collecting points on home soil, with 64.44% of their total seasonal points claimed at Craven Cottage. They have beaten Chelsea and held Liverpool to a draw at home, boasting highly credible home form. In their past 12 league home games, they have failed to score on only one occasion, highlighting outstanding consistency in attack. Harry Wilson stands as the club’s top scorer and leading playmaker, notching 10 goals and 6 assists in the league. The 34-year-old Raúl Jiménez has enjoyed a fine resurgence this campaign, recording 9 league goals and 3 assists. Under manager Marco Silva, Fulham have established a pragmatic game plan built on solid defence, sharp wide counter-attacks and deadly set-piece threats. Though not aesthetically pleasing, their tactics are highly efficient and well-grounded.
Thanks to the Champions League expansion, the Premier League has been granted five qualification spots for the competition. Currently holding 58 points with a game in hand, Aston Villa sit fourth in the table, 8 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton, leaving them with limited pressure in the race for next season’s Champions League berth. With the first leg of their Europa League semi-final scheduled for midweek next week, Aston Villa are widely expected to rotate their squad for this fixture. Hampered by a gruelling multi-front campaign, Villa have endured poor away form, claiming just 1 win, 3 draws and 3 defeats in their last seven league away trips. They have failed to beat relegation-threatened sides including Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace on the road, with their away record falling far short of their fourth-place league ranking. Taking their recent away trip to Nottingham Forest as an example, Villa’s only goal came from an opposition own goal. Despite racking up 12 shots and 5 shots on target, they failed to find the net from open play, which clearly shows the players are not at their peak competitive level. Furthermore, the absence of first-choice defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara has left a huge void in their defensive shield. Villa have kept just two clean sheets across their last 10 league matches.
There is a clear disparity in the two sides’ motivation. Fulham are fighting tooth and nail for European football, while Aston Villa must prioritise preparations for the upcoming Europa League semi-final. Given Fulham’s steady home attacking output and Villa’s fragile away defence, the Cottagers are poised to seize the chance to claim valuable points in front of their home supporters.
Fulham‘s Last 5 Games: DLWDL
26-04-18 Brentford 0-0 Fulham
26-04-12 Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
26-03-21 Fulham 3-1 Burnley
26-03-15 Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham
26-03-08 Fulham 0-1 Southampton
Aston Villa‘s Last 5 Games: WWDWL
26-04-19 Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland
26-04-17 Aston Villa 4-0 Bologna
26-04-12 Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa
26-04-10 Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa
26-03-22 Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United
Head-To-Head Record
25-09-28 Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham
25-05-03 Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham
24-10-19 Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa
24-02-17 Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa
23-11-12 Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham
Prediction: Fulham to win, or draw