win will be high on Emery’s agenda, especially after his Villa side slipped up at Nottingham Forest last week and missed the chance to move into the top four.
That somewhat surprising defeat at the City Ground ended a six-game unbeaten run in the league, but Liverpool and Arsenal remain in reach, just two points ahead of Villa heading into the weekend.
Villa will need a favour from one or both of Brentford or Burnley in beating those two sides though if they want to go into the international break in the top four.
That is of course, if the hosts can get the job done themselves here, and their form at Villa Park this season suggests that is likely.
Everton are the only side to have come here and won since mid-February in all competitions, but that was in an EFL Cup tie, as Villa have been perfect so far in the Premier League.
Five wins from five with 20 goals scored is the best record in the division, and on the continent Emery’s side have been faultless too, as Thursday’s 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar made it three from three this season in the Europa Conference League at home.
Goals have been important though as Villa have had a hard time stopping them going in at the other end, keeping just two clean sheets in their last 13 games – against Chelsea and Zrinjski Mostar.
While Villa have been ruthless in attack, upcoming opponents Fulham have been far from it, recording a joint-league high of five blanks this season after losing 1-0 at home to Manchester United last weekend.
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That defeat leaves Fulham down in 15th, but they are still a healthy six points clear of the drop zone currently.
Marco Silva’s side are not one of the obvious candidates to go down, but only Burnley have scored fewer goals as Fulham are still yet to reach double figures, having not sufficiently replaced Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals.
Joao Palhinha and Bobby Decordova-Reid are the Cottagers’ top scorers with two goals each, and that is a big reason why they have only recorded three wins in 11 games so far this – against Everton, Luton Town and Sheffield United.
