Aston Villa team news vs Fulham confirmed as Unai Emery makes Pau Torres decision
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery names his starting XI to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
He has made two changes from the side which lost 2-1 to Manchester United last time out as Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans replace the injured Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos. Kamara sustained an ACL injury last weekend and will miss the rest of the season, while Carlos picked up a hamstring injury injury in training earlier this week.
Villa are targeting back-to-back away league wins for the first time this season having thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at Bramall Lane a fortnight ago, before the cruel 2-1 defeat to United. Villa were the better team last Sunday, but didn't take their chances and now their cushion on the Red Devils has been cut to just five points with 14 league games remaining this term.
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Fulham have won six of their past seven home games against Villa in all competitions, while the Cottagers have also won five of their past seven home league matches, scoring 18 goals in those victories. Villa have lost three of their past four games in all competitions, but they are unbeaten in four away matches, winning two and drawing two.
Emi Martinez starts in goal and makes his 200th appearance in English football behind a defence of Matty Cash, Clement Lenglet, Torres and Alex Moreno. John McGinn is most likely to partner Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Jacob Ramsey will play off the left and Leon Bailey from the right as Tielemans supports Ollie Watkins in attack.
Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Lenglet, Torres, Moreno, Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Kesler-Hayden, Digne, Chambers, Iroegbunam, Zaniolo, Diaby, Rogers.
Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Ream, Diop, Robinson, Cairney, Palhinha, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Muniz.
Subs: Rodak, Bassey, Tosin, Reed, Wilson, Traore, Ballo-Toure, Iwobi, Lukic.