Manchester City arrived at Villa Park last weekend with a perfect Premier League record. They left with their first defeat of the season and Nicolas Jackson’s fingerprints all over it.
The former Chelsea striker scored twice as Aston Villa beat the champions 2-1, extending an impressive run of results that has transformed the mood around Unai Emery’s side.
After a difficult start to the campaign, Villa have taken 10 points from their last four league matches and climbed to ninth. Another victory on Saturday evening would strengthen their push towards the European places.
There was a reminder in midweek, however, that their resurgence hasn’t made them invincible.
Bournemouth dismantled a much-changed Villa side 3-0 in the Carabao Cup, ending their unbeaten run and handing Emery a result he will want forgotten quickly.
Fulham arrive with their own reasons for optimism.
Álvaro Arbeloa endured a miserable introduction to Premier League management, failing to win any of his opening six matches. Consecutive 1-0 victories over Hull and Coventry have since lifted the Cottagers out of the relegation zone.
Oscar Bobb’s late winner at Coventry was particularly important, giving Fulham their first away league victory of the campaign.
Like Villa, though, the visitors were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
History favours the hosts. Villa have won six of their last seven Premier League meetings with Fulham, although the Cottagers claimed a 1-0 victory in their most recent encounter in April.
Both clubs are chasing a third consecutive league victory, but only one can extend that winning run.
With Jackson finding his feet in Birmingham and Fulham still struggling to produce goals consistently, Villa will see this as an opportunity to build on their statement victory over City.
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What are the best betting tips for Aston Villa vs Fulham?
Aston Villa to win
Aston Villa have turned their season around in recent weeks, taking 10 points from their last four Premier League matches and recording consecutive victories over Newcastle and Manchester City.
The 2-1 win against City was particularly impressive. Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Emery’s side became the first team to beat the league leaders this season.
Fulham have also improved, but their victories over Hull and Coventry both finished 1-0. Those results have eased the pressure on Álvaro Arbeloa, although facing Villa Park’s hosts represents a considerably tougher challenge.
Villa have won six of the last seven league meetings between these sides. With Emery expected to restore his strongest lineup after Wednesday’s cup defeat, I expect that dominance to continue.
Over 2.5 goals
Aston Villa’s recent improvement has coincided with a much greater attacking threat, and their 2-1 victory over Manchester City demonstrated their ability to create chances against even the strongest opponents.
Nicolas Jackson has scored four Premier League goals this season, including both against City, while John McGinn and Villa’s attacking midfielders provide additional creativity. With Emery expected to restore his strongest lineup, the hosts should pose a considerable threat.
Fulham have kept consecutive league clean sheets against Hull and Coventry, but Villa represent a significant step up in quality. The Cottagers also possess attacking options of their own, with Oscar Bobb, Alex Iwobi and Gonzalo García capable of troubling the home defence.
Villa have conceded in three of their last four league matches, so Fulham finding the net wouldn’t be a surprise. With both sides carrying attacking threats and the hosts growing in confidence, over 2.5 goals looks a worthwhile selection.
Nicolas Jackson anytime goalscorer
Nicolas Jackson is enjoying an excellent spell of form, having scored four Premier League goals this season.
His double against Manchester City demonstrated exactly why Emery brought him to Villa Park. The striker caused problems with his movement, repeatedly finding space behind City’s defensive line.
Fulham have tightened up defensively in recent weeks, but their improvement will face a significant examination on Saturday. Jackson’s pace and willingness to attack space should make him a difficult opponent for the visiting centre-backs.
With Villa expected to dominate more possession than they did against City, Jackson should receive opportunities inside the penalty area. If he starts, he looks a strong candidate to find the net again.
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How to watch Aston Villa vs Fulham
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 9
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available through Sky Go and NOW.
United States: Peacock.
Canada: Fubo, subject to local listings.
Aston Villa predicted lineup and team news
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted XI: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, João Gomes; Alysson, McGinn, Manzambi; Jackson.
Unai Emery is expected to make several changes after fielding a rotated side in Wednesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat against Bournemouth. Zion Suzuki, Matty Cash, Pau Torres and Nicolas Jackson are among those expected to return.
Amadou Onana remains sidelined with a serious knee injury, while Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are unavailable with hamstring problems.
Leon Goretzka and Ian Maatsen have returned to contention, giving Emery additional options. John McGinn should retain an important attacking role behind Jackson, who will look to build on his match-winning performance against Manchester City.
Fulham predicted lineup and team news
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Shea Charles; Bobb, Josh King, Iwobi; Gonzalo García.
Álvaro Arbeloa is expected to restore several regular starters following Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Bernd Leno should return in goal, with Oscar Bobb, Alex Iwobi and Josh King providing attacking support.
Ryan Sessegnon is suspended, leaving Fulham without an option on the left. Emile Smith Rowe is also a fitness concern, although he has returned to training and could feature if he passes a late assessment.
Bobb is likely to retain his place after scoring the winning goal against Coventry last weekend. The former Manchester City attacker has provided an important creative spark during Fulham’s recent improvement.
Aston Villa vs Fulham stats
- Aston Villa sit ninth in the Premier League with 11 points from eight matches.
- Fulham occupy 15th place with eight points from eight games.
- Villa have collected 10 points from their last four Premier League fixtures.
- Unai Emery’s side have won their last two league matches against Newcastle and Manchester City.
- Villa became the first team to defeat Manchester City in the Premier League this season, winning 2-1.
- Nicolas Jackson has scored four Premier League goals this campaign.
- Jackson scored both goals in Villa’s victory over Manchester City.
- Fulham have won their last two league matches, beating Hull and Coventry 1-0.
- Fulham failed to win any of their opening six Premier League matches.
- Oscar Bobb scored the winner against Coventry in Fulham’s most recent league outing.
- Aston Villa have won six of their last seven Premier League meetings with Fulham.
- Fulham won the most recent league encounter 1-0 in April 2026.
- Emery has won eight of his nine Premier League matches against Fulham as a manager.
- Both sides were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with Villa losing 3-0 to Bournemouth and Fulham losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa vs Fulham prediction
Aston Villa’s defeat at Bournemouth was disappointing, but it should not overshadow their impressive Premier League form.
Emery made several changes for the cup tie, and the return of his regular starters should produce a considerably stronger performance at Villa Park.
Fulham deserve credit for responding to their difficult start with consecutive victories. Two clean sheets will have restored some confidence, while Bobb is beginning to make a difference in attack.
However, there is a substantial difference between beating Hull and Coventry and travelling to face a Villa side that has just defeated Manchester City.
Jackson’s recent form could prove decisive. His movement and finishing have given Villa a reliable attacking outlet, and Fulham may struggle to contain him.
I expect the visitors to make this competitive, particularly if they can frustrate Villa during the opening stages.
But Emery’s side possess greater attacking quality and should create enough chances to claim another important victory.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
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