Fulham are waiting on the fitness of Bryan Ruiz, as the forward picked up a thigh injury on international duty with Costa Rica in midweek.
However, Martin Jol’s side are bouyed by the return of Mladen Petric (calf), and Dimitar Berbatov is also expected to recover from a thigh injury which kept him out of the Southampton clash.
Philippe Senderos could make the substitutes’ bench after returning from an injury which has kept him out of action for the season so far.
Aston Villa are without long-term absentee Richard Dunne, who is still a week or two away after undergoing a groin operation in August.
Meanwhile, Stephen Ireland could feature after recovering from a broken wrist, but it is unlikely Paul Lambert will risk him in the starting XI. Joe Bennett has returned to fitness after suffering a gashed leg.
Darren Bent looks unlikely to start, with speculation rife as to the former Spurs man’s future. Gabriel Agbonlahor will probably be be partnered by Christian Benteke, who scored for Belgium in the international break.
- Fulham have not won any of their last six meetings with the Villans, drawing three and losing three.
- The visitors have won on just one of their last seven visits to London, having already lost in the capital twice this season.
- The hosts have lost just two of their last 13 Premier League encounters at Craven Cottage.
- Only Norwich (6.8%) have a worse chance conversion rate than Aston Villa (9.8%) this season.
- Only Barcelona (66.7%) have better shooting accuracy than Fulham (63.5%) across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
- Darren Bent (pictured right) has been caught offside 112 times since August 2010, more than any other player in the Premier League.
- The home side have conceded the joint-most headed goals (four) in the top-flight this season.
- The away side have failed to score in five of their last seven games on the road.
- At least three goals have been scored in all seven of Fulham’s Premier League games this season.