Fulham's last top-flight win at Villa came in the days before colour television, but the outcome of this match is far from black and white.
A good team doesn't lose twice in a row, it's as simple as that. We'll see if we're a good team or not
Villa manager Gerard Houllier
Fulham moved above Villa in the table following Wednesday's televised victory over Newcastle, and the west London side have taken an impressive 13 points out of a possible 21.
They are now five points clear of the relegation zone, and a point ahead of a Villa side whose five-match unbeaten run in all competitions was predictably ended by leaders Manchester United in midweek.
While the picture remains unclear for both clubs, their current positions are far healthier than in the first week of January when they spent time in the bottom three. Aston Villa seem reinvigorated after their big spending in the transfer window, while Fulham's improved attacking options have been allied with a dogged defence.
- Villa have never lost at home to Fulham in the Premier League (W6, D3).
- Fulham last won a league game at Villa Park in March 1973: a 3-2 victory in the old Second Division. Fulham did, though, triumph 2-0 at Villa in the FA Cup fourth round in 1999. Their last top-flight away win in this fixture was 5-2 in March 1966.
- Villa are vying to win back-to-back league matches at home for the first time since August.
- They have conceded an unrivalled 14 goals in the final 15 minutes of their league matches this season.
- Ashley Young has been fouled 61 times this season - more than any other player according to Infostrada sports.
- Darren Bent will be playing on the eve of his 27th birthday.
- Richard Dunne is poised to make his 400th career start.
- Fulham have won four of their last seven league matches but are yet to manage back-to-back victories this season.
- They have only conceded three goals in those seven games.
- Their victory at Stoke in December remains their solitary away success in 30 league matches since the opening day of last season.
- Steve Sidwell made 64 appearances for Aston Villa between 2008 and 2010.
- Aston Villa - Leading goal scorers
Bent: 13 goals* (10 league); Downing: 6 goals (5 league);
A Young: 6 goals (4 league); Heskey: 6 goals (3 league)
* Bent scored 11 goals (8 league) for Sunderland
- Fulham - Leading goal scorers
Dempsey: 9 goals (8 league); Kamara: 5 goals (2 league)