Aston Villa vs Fulham Predicted Lineup: Emery Faces Barkley Decision as Alysson Eyes Start

Aston Villa vs Fulham: Emery faces Barkley midfield call as Alysson pushes for recall

Aston Villa welcome Fulham to Villa Park on Saturday evening, with Unai Emery weighing a central-midfield choice between Ross Barkley and Joao Gomes and considering a recall for winger Alysson. According to Birmingham Live's John Townley, the predicted XI features Alysson on the right as Villa look to respond to their midweek Carabao Cup elimination.

Fixture: Aston Villa vs Fulham – Premier League
Date/time: Saturday evening
Venue: Villa Park
Headline call: Ross Barkley or Joao Gomes alongside Boubacar Kamara
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; Alysson, Manzambi, McGinn; Jackson
Next up: Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday

Confirmed line-ups

Aston Villa have not yet confirmed their starting XI for the Fulham match; the following is the predicted line-up reported by John Townley of Birmingham Live.

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Zion Suzuki; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes; Alysson, Johan Manzambi, John McGinn; Nicolas Jackson.

Substitutes: Not specified in the source article.

Fulham

Starting XI: Not specified in the source article.

Substitutes: Not specified in the source article.

Selection notes

Emery faces a midfield decision alongside the expected starter Boubacar Kamara. Joao Gomes offers pressing intensity and ball-winning ability, while Ross Barkley provides composure and possession control. The article suggests Kamara is likely to keep his place, with the identity of his partner revealing Emery's intended approach.

Alysson is pushing for a recall after starting three consecutive matches before Villa's trip to Bournemouth. Johan Manzambi is expected to operate centrally behind Nicolas Jackson. John McGinn could occupy the left attacking role, bringing experience and defensive responsibility. Up front, Jackson is expected to lead the line.

No injuries or suspensions are mentioned in the source, and no debutants are confirmed.

The numbers

Villa's season so far: 15 points from their opening nine league matches this season
Last season's equivalent: 18 points at the same stage of the 2024/25 campaign
Villa's recent run: four consecutive victories across all competitions before Wednesday's Carabao Cup elimination by Bournemouth
Fulham's league record: eight points from eight league fixtures
Fulham's recent form: successive 1-0 league victories over Coventry City and Hull City, following a 1-0 Carabao Cup home defeat by Crystal Palace

Why Emery's midfield choice matters against Fulham

Boubacar Kamara is expected to anchor the midfield, offering defensive discipline and positional security. The question is who partners him. Joao Gomes would bring energy, ball-winning ability and intensity when pressing – qualities that could be valuable against a Fulham side increasingly comfortable in tight matches, as shown by their successive 1-0 league wins.

Ross Barkley, by contrast, would give Villa greater territorial control through his composure and ability to dictate possession. If Fulham defend compactly and restrict space between the lines, Barkley's distribution could help unlock them. The choice therefore signals Emery's priority: midfield aggression or sustained possession.

Further forward, Alysson's potential return would give Villa an attacking outlet on the right, with Johan Manzambi operating centrally behind Nicolas Jackson. John McGinn on the left adds experience and defensive cover. Jackson's effectiveness will depend on the service from those attacking midfielders. With Barcelona awaiting on Tuesday, Emery must also consider the physical demands on his regular starters, which could influence his selection and substitutions.

Talking points

Should Emery start Barkley for control or Gomes for aggression? The answer will define whether Villa dominate the ball or press Fulham into mistakes.
Alysson started three games before Bournemouth – does his return signal that Emery trusts him as a first-choice right winger?
With Barcelona on Tuesday, is this the match to rotate? Villa need three points, but a Champions League tie looms large.
Fulham have won two league games 1-0 in a row – can Villa break down a side that thrives in tight, low-scoring contests?

What happens next

Villa face Fulham at Villa Park on Saturday evening, with three Premier League points at stake. Emery's selection will also shape his plans for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Barcelona and the subsequent Premier League trip to Manchester United before the November international break. Fulham, meanwhile, will look to extend their recent defensive resilience and climb from their eight-point tally.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ross Barkley starting for Aston Villa vs Fulham?

It is unclear. The predicted XI includes Joao Gomes alongside Boubacar Kamara, but the source notes Barkley is an option and his involvement remains an intriguing midfield question.

Who is in Aston Villa's predicted line-up against Fulham?

According to John Townley of Birmingham Live, the predicted XI is: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; Alysson, Manzambi, McGinn; Jackson.

Is Alysson starting for Aston Villa vs Fulham?

Alysson is pushing for a recall after starting three consecutive matches before the Bournemouth trip, and he is included in the predicted XI on the right wing.