Team News
Fulham v Aston Villa
Premier League Match Day 25 23/24 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 17th February 2024 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Lewis Smith (Lancashire)
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Fulham's Nigerian duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are both due back this weekend from the Africa Cup of Nations, while Tosin Adarabioyo has a chance of returning from the knock which kept him out of the win over Bournemouth.
Kenny Tete also sat out that fixture with a calf concern and is more of a doubt, while Raul Jimenez is a definite absentee as he nurses his severe thigh injury, which will likely sideline him until the end of March.
However, Jimenez's absence has not been felt thanks to the feats of Muniz, who has three goals in his last two Premier League games after failing to score in his first 10, and the Brazilian should be given the nod over Broja once again.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Cairney, Palhinha; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
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Injury was added to insult for Aston Villa during their loss to Man United last weekend, as midfield fulcrum Boubacar Kamara came off midway through the second half with a "significant" knee injury, which is expected to rule him out for the season.
The unfortunate Frenchman joins fellow long-term knee victims Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia in Villa's treatment room, while Ezri Konsa is facing a couple more weeks out with an issue in the same area, and Jhon Duran's hamstring problem rules him out as well.
Kamara's devastating blow opens the door for Youri Tielemans or Moussa Diaby to return to the Lions' XI on a regular basis, and Emery should also consider recalling Pau Torres and Lucas Digne to the starting lineup following their returns from physical glitches.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Torres, Lenglet, Digne; Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins
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Source Ben Knapton at SportsMole