Unai Emery highlighted the importance of consistency for Aston Villa as they continue to attempt to challenge at the top of the Premier League, with Fulham up next.

Villa have been in and around the Champions League places in the last few seasons and flirted with a title challenge last term before falling out of contention and finishing fourth.

They initially struggled at the start of the season – as they did in 2025-26 – failing to win their first four games, but they have since won three of the four since (L1), including a 2-1 win over league leaders Manchester City last time out.

They did lose 3-0 to Bournemouth in the EFL Cup in midweek, missing out on a place in the quarter-finals.

Villa are currently ninth in a congested mid-table, but they have their sights set higher up the standings, and Emery is confident his team can continue to challenge the notion of the competition's 'big six'.

"I think the Premier League is very, very difficult because there are a lot of teams not in the contender positions at the beginning of the season, to be in the top positions, but every year, they are always fighting with the teams who should be there," Emery said.

"We are one of the teams, and last year, we achieved it. So, this is the target. This is, as well, the process. We want to try to get consistency, but each year is a test.

"Fulham as well, last year, they were being consistent in the table, in the middle positions, but always fighting to be close with the top seven, top six teams."

Back at home for Saturday night #PL action https://t.co/e4p2reCkLR

— Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) October 29, 2026

Fulham also endured a tough start to life under Alvaro Arbeloa, failing to win their first six Premier League outings, but they have since beaten Hull City and Coventry City.

Like Villa, Fulham come into this game on the back of an EFL Cup defeat – despite dominating against Crystal Palace, they lost 1-0 on Wednesday.

Ahead of Saturday's clash, Arbeloa was full of praise for his opposite number.

"When you see his career, his titles, the job that he did at every club, I think he is one of the best Spanish coaches in our history," Arbeloa said.

"I think right now he is one of the best coaches in the world. He is very, very good; he improves everything every year.

"He knows what he wants from his players, and obviously when some new players came, it's a new process, it's like almost a new team, and he needs time. It's normal, but you can see right now how they are performing."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aston Villa – Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances for Villa, as many as he had managed in his previous 24 games in the competition (four in 21 for Chelsea, 0 in three for Villa).

Only Man City duo Erling Haaland (2.92) and Rayan Cherki (2.32) have outperformed their xG more than Jackson this season (2.02).

Fulham – Josh King

Two of the four players with the most touches in the opposition box in the Premier League this season are Josh King (52, first) and Oscar Bobb (43, fourth).

King is averaging 7.1 per 90 minutes, with only one Fulham player on record (since 2008-09, 500+ mins played) averaging more in a season – Bobby Zamora in 2010-11 (8.6).

Give our best. https://t.co/eKnkkqiWFD

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 30, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN

Villa have lost just one of their 18 home Premier League matches against Fulham (W12 D5), a 2-1 defeat in April 2014.

And they are looking to win three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since a run of eight in November and December last season.

Fulham did, however, win their last top-flight game against Villa and have registered consecutive wins against them just once before in the competition, winning both games in 2013-14.

But Fulham are also looking for three Premier League wins in a row for the first time since December 2025, while they last achieved that without conceding a goal back in April 2019.

Villa have only won two of their last 12 Premier League matches in August and September (D5 L5), compared to eight wins in their last 10 games across October and November (D1 L1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Aston Villa – 57.8%

Draw – 21.9%

Fulham – 20.3%