Fulham v Aston Villa: Wembley winners go head-to-head

The third round tie at Craven Cottage is the first time the clubs have met since the 2018 Championship play-off final, an occasion which already ranks among the more significant in Villa’s history, writes Matt Maher.

Defeat at Wembley, to Tom Cairney’s first-half goal, plunged them into the financial crisis which brought about the end of Tony Xia’s tenure of ownership and the arrival of billionaire custodians in the shape of Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

It was the result which set in motion a series of events which, for a while, looked set to end in disaster yet ultimately saw them win promotion back to the Premier League 12 months later.

The importance of now maintaining top-flight status explains why Dean Smith will name a much-changed line-up tomorrow.

Likewise Fulham, relegated after just one season back in the Premier League, are also expected to rest key men, with the chief focus of their head coach Scott Parker very much the battle at the top of the Championship.

There is a delicious irony in Villa facing the Cottagers this season.

Since spending £127million rebuilding their squad last summer, they have continually been accused of ‘doing a Fulham’ after the London club’s own ill-fated £100million shopping spree following promotion a year previously.

The comparison has always been a lazy one.

While Fulham opted to take apart a team which had arguably been the best in the Championship over the final months of the 2017/18 campaign, a restructure was always on the cards at Villa, no matter which division they were playing in.

Still, the New Year’s Day win at Burnley has significantly lifted the mood and means there is considerably less pressure on Smith than there might have been ahead of two consecutive cup ties, with the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Leicester to come next Wednesday.

Villa have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage in each of the past three seasons and while the competition might not be a priority, this is still a match Smith will be keen to win.

The head coach’s biggest decision might revolve over who to play in goal.

Under normal circumstances, Orjan Nyland would have been the obvious choice, but with Tom Heaton and Jed Steer now out injured, the Norwegian international is Villa’s No.1 and may not be risked.

That might mean a first outing since last February for Lovre Kalinic, a £7million signing last January who rapidly found himself relegated to fourth choice.

Club captain James Chester and Bjorn Engels could start in defence, with Smith likely to again trial the three at the back system which worked to great effect at Burnley.

“It was a brave decision (to switch system) but I think we have the players to suit it,” said Tyrone Mings. “We, as players, need to be adaptable and are able to switch systems.”