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Aston Villa vs Fulham: Who makes Express Sport’s combined XI?
ASTON VILLA host Fulham today in what should be a tight clash between the two promotion contenders.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Sam Johnstone
Villa have spent big since dropping out of the Premier League in May 2016 and boast a squad packed full of experience and know-how.
Fulham, under the influence of a stats-heavy approach to the transfer market, have searched far-and-wide to build a team that’s won plenty of plaudits as one of the division’s most entertaining teams.
The two teams are separated by just one point in the table and here Express Sport form a combined XI from both squads.
Goalkeeper
Fulham keeper David Button has enjoyed a solid start to the season after losing his place to Marcus Bettinelli in the closing weeks of last term.
Button has conceded the same number of goals as Sam Johnstone but the Villa keeper gets the nod because he’s consistently impressed since his initial loan move from Manchester United in January.
Right-back
Ahmed Elmohamady has been a smart capture by Bruce but Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks gets the nod.
Fredericks has pace to burn and, on his day, can be a total nightmare for opposing left-backs.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Team news, TV information, odds, prediction
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Ryan Fredericks
Central defence
Despite struggling to nail down a regular role at West Brom, it was a surprise to see James Chester drop down a division to join Villa in 2016. The Wales international is a class act.
John Terry is one of England’s greatest-ever defenders. He won the lot at Chelsea and, at the age of 35, appears to be coping with the demands of the Championship.
Chelsea loanee Tomas Kalas is one of the Championship’s better central defenders but he is yet to reach the heights he hit last term for Fulham
Tim Ream has gone from zero to hero for Fulham since joining from Bolton in 2015 and has been one of Slavisa Jokanovic’s best performers this year.
Left-back
A bit like Chester, it was interesting to see former Swansea ace Neil Taylor quit the Premier League for the Championship.
While he’s hardly set Villa Park alight, he remains a reliable option.
For Fulham, Ryan Sessegnon is better further up the pitch while Porto loanee Rafa Soares is yet to feature due to injury.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Tom Cairney
Right wing
Robert Snodgrass has been there, done it and got the t-shirt as far as the Championship is concerned.
He would probably still be playing in the Premier League had his move from Hull to West Ham not been such a disaster.
Albert Adomah is another winger on Villa’s books who has proven himself at this level.
Central midfield
Fulham have, arguably, the best midfield in the Championship.
Tom Cairney was the only player to get into double figures for goals and assists last year and would be the first name on any Championship side’s team sheet.
Kevin McDonald flies under the radar but holds the midfield together while Stefan Johansen rampages from box to box.
Villa have also assembled a cracking midfield with proven performers such as Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihane and Mile Jedinak.
Hourihane, with five goals to his name this term, is their pick of the bunch.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Jonathan Kodjia
Left wing
Fulham are loaded with wingers - Floyd Ayite, Neeskens Kebano, Lucas Piazon, Sheyi Ojo, Yohan Mollo and Jordan Graham are in Slavisa Jokanovic’s squad.
But Ryan Sessegnon is devastating when played on the wing, instead of left-back.
He tore last season’s champions Newcastle apart at St James’ Park when playing further up the pitch.
Strikers
Villa’s main man Jonathan Kodjia dispelled any suggestions he was a one-season wonder in the Championship by scoring 19 times last year.
Scott Hogan has struggled to live up to his hefty price-tag while youngster Keinan Davis has shown flashes of promise.
Fulham’s big-money summer signing Rui Fonte is yet to get going but oozes class, and can link up the midfield and attack.
Express Sport’s Aston Villa and Fulham combined XI: Sam Johnstone; Ryan Fredericks, James Chester, John Terry, Neil Taylor; Robert Snodgrass, Tom Cairney, Kevin McDonald, Ryan Sessegnon; Jonathan Kodjia, Rui Fonte