Fulham v Aston Villa: Future of Cottagers boss shrouded by uncertainty

Winger Ryan Sessegnon this week declared Fulham the club he “wants to be at” after his contract was extended until the end of next season.

The biggest question currently surrounding the Cottagers, however, is whether the same sentiment is still shared by head coach Marco Silva?

With a month of the season remaining, the Portuguese boss’ future remains uncertain with his own contract due to expire in the summer and no extension as yet agreed.

Silva, who has been at Craven Cottage since 2021, is among those reported to be on Chelsea’s shortlist as they seek a long-term replacement for the axed Liam Rosenior and supporters fear another season is at risk of fizzling out amid the ongoing doubt.

Under Silva, the Cottagers have finished 10th, 13th and 11th since returning to the top flight but have an unhappy habit of falling away in April and May.

Last season they lost six of their final nine league matches to fall out of European contention and while they are once more in the race this year, just five points behind sixth-placed Brighton with a game in hand, they have failed to score in five of their last six games. An FA Cup exit to Southampton did little to improve the mood.

Saturday’s visit of Villa, therefore, is a chance to kickstart a campaign in which, on paper, they still have plenty left to play for.

Sessegnon, now 25, was part of the Fulham team which beat Villa in the 2018 Championship play-off final.

“First and foremost, we have to give them (Villa) respect,” he said of Unai Emery’s team.

“They have played a good season, but again, we are home, in front of our fans, and we need to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

“I feel like with a crowd behind us, we can do that.”