EPL Preview: Fulham vs Aston Villa

Tomorrow's match at Craven Cottage promises to be a tight affair with two clubs at a similar level and new managers hoping to get a winning start. Last season's eighth and ninth placed teams will have similar aims and neither team will want to start with a loss.

Here we look at the team's fortunes through the summer and see who will have the edge come 3 p.m.

Management

Both teams go into the new season with new men at the helm. Martin Jol has had the easier bedding in of the two men. After the shock resignation of Mark Hughes at the start of June, Fulham acted quickly in appointing Jol five days later. He took Tottenham to the brink of the Champions League and will be looking to cement Fulham as perennial top-table finishers.

Villa's pursuit of a new man at the helm was carried out in stark contrast to Fulham's. After the fans vetoed the possible appointment of Steve McClaren, the club was spurned by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez. This left the club with few options and the appointment of Birmingham manager Alex Mcleish.

The move sparked outrage among Villa's fans, and time has not healed the wounds. Mcleish will have to hit the ground running or the wolves will be at his door sooner rather than later.

Edge: Fulham

Summer Transfers

Fulham In: John Arne Riise (Roma), Pajtim Kasami (Palermo), Marcel Gecov (Slovan Liberec), Dan Burn (Darlington), Csaba Somogyi (free agent)

Fulham Out:Jonathan Greening (Nottingham Forest), David Stockdale (Ipswich), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace)

Aston Villa In: Shay Given (Manchester City), Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa Out: Ashley Young (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Brad Friedel (Tottenham)

Fulham's transfers appear to lack the recognition of Aston Villa's, but it is the players that have left that tell the real story. In Young and Downing, Villa have lost their creativity. However, the addition of Shay Given in goal has more than made up for the departure of Brad Friedel. If N'Zogbia can settle into the club, then he could link up well with Bent and secure goals for the team.

Fulham in contrast, have kept the spine of the team intact. The team is used to playing together and are tight defensively. Creativity could be a problem with the burden still firmly on an aging Danny Murphy. The addition of Riise adds danger from long range and free kicks.

Edge: Even

Squad

The departures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing mean that Villa may have problems creatively. The 9.5-million addition of the erratic yet gifted Charles N'Zogbia may go some way to solving this.

More responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Marc Albrighton. The right winger showed real promise at the start of last season with two assists in his first game. While Mcleish has started started with N'Zogbia on the right, Albrighton seems poised to make a serious contribution this season.

However, the key responsibility for the villains will fall upon the goals of Darren Bent. His nine goals after joining Villa in January were key to the team moving out of relegation danger to a Top 10 finish. This is coupled with Stephen Ireland backed for the first time at Villa by a manager who appears to believe in him.

Fulham have successfully kept much of the squad that finished eighth last season. From Schwarzer in goal, through Hangeland, Murphy and Zamora, Fulham fans can expect a similar season this campaign. That said, they have not been too active in the transfer window and may struggle to compete with teams that have strengthened such as Stoke and West Brom.

Edge: Aston Villa

Preseason

Fulham's preseason on the pitch has been successful. Their participation in the Europa League has yielded three wins and a draw with only one goal conceded. Four games in the competition mean that Fulham may have the edge over Villa.

In comparison, Villa have had a troubled preseason. In an underwhelming display against Derby, the fans let Mcleish know exactly what they thought of him at halftime. Mcleish has also been experimenting with Emile Heskey in a left wing role, which has given Mcleish faith but is untested in the Premier League.

Edge: Fulham

Prediction

Bobby Zamora looks set to play a role in the fixture despite a broken hand, and Villa will also be almost up to strength, with only Carlos Cuellar missing out through injury.

The match could prove to be a tough fought, close affair. Villa struggled away from home last term and this could be the deciding factor.

Final Score: 2 - 1