Aston Villa V Fullham
Saturday 29th November
Kick Off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Mike Jones

Both Villa and Fulham are coming off of very stout defensive displays by drawing 0-0 with Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.  This weekend these two teams will be looking to continue their recent runs of good form.

Match Stats
Played: 14 V 13
Wins: 7 V 5
Draws: 3 V 3
Losses: 4 V 5

Notice Villa have played one more game than Fulham this season. A win for Fulham would put them only 3 points behind Villa, currently placed in 4th. Potentially allowing them to level on points when even in games played. A win for Aston Villa would further concrete their ambitions for a Champions League spot, placing them in 3rd if only but a day in a match seen as a must win.

Goal Stats
For: 22 V 12
Against: 16 V 11
Goal Difference: 6 V 1

Both teams have recently tightened up their defenses. But the goals for Villa are coming much easier outscoring Fulham on an 11 to 6 ratio.

Last 6 Games
Aston Villa:
0 - 0 Aston Villa - Man Utd
0 - 2 Arsenal - Aston Villa
1 - 2 Aston Villa - Middlesbrough
0 - 1 Slavia Prague - Aston Villa
2 - 0 Newcastle - Aston Villa
3 - 2 Aston Villa - Blackburn

Villa have have not won in their 2 previous home games

Fulham:
0 - 0 Liverpool - Fulham
2 - 1 Fulham - Tottenham
2 - 1 Fulham - Newcastle
1 - 0 Everton - Fulham
2 - 0 Fulham - Wigan
1 - 1 Portsmouth - Fulham

Fulham have not won in previous 7 away matches.

Head to Head
Of the 48 meetings, each club has won 16, with 16 drawn.

Big day for Brad
37-year-old Friedel will be making his 167th consecutive Premier League appearance, breaking David James' Premier League record of 166 consecutive appearances. Let's hope at their respective ages neither are looking to set a consecutive record for the use of Viagra either.

Key Players:
Villa
Ashley Young: When Young has a good game Villa score. If he can unlock the Fulham Defense amongst a high pressure Villa, a number of players are more than capable of netting the ball.
Gabby Agbonlahor: Recently scoring against Arsenal, Gabby has gone from stride to stride since his introduction as a headless chicken. He is now capable of bullying with strength or outrunning any defender in the league.

Fulham
Bullard: Much like the poor man's Gerrard, he is the heart of the Fulham midfield. A very underrated player capable of scoring from set pieces or setting up others with his engine of a heart.
Andrew Johnson: A player who has been injured for much of the season, has recently found form. Scoring 4 goals in 5 games. Fulham will look to him to score.

Tactics
Villa:
Villa will expect Fulham to play a slightly more defensive game. Villa need to look to score the first goal with an energetic and high pressure opening. After which Fulham will have to look at their top scoring player, with 4 goals to answer.

Fulham:
Villa may underestimate them expecting them to sit back and defend. Roy Hog has clearly stated that will not be the case. They must look to surprise Villa and catch them on the break with Davies and Bullard looking to set AJ through. The combination of a bald head and small wind friction giving him the pace needed to possibly give Villa's back four a scare.

Watch for set plays.

Lets at least hope for a game better to look at than Mr. Bullard's face!