Fulham

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

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The modern game is about more than the 22 men who start on the pitch - it's about all 40 of them in the matchday squad.

We have seen plenty of times this season that Marco Silva knows exactly who to bring on - and when - to change games. The joint-record high of 15 goals from substitutes attests to this.

But sometimes that magic touch goes missing - and it did on Saturday.

Marco took off Ryan Sessegnon before the hour mark against Aston Villa. He was our biggest - and, frankly, only - attacking threat in a game that saw us go behind early, and we never recovered.

Silva made the maximum five changes by the 76th minute in a game where we huffed and puffed but provided little else. And that decision backfired as Harrison Reed, himself a substitute, pulled up unchallenged and was forced off injured.

That left us with just 10 men for the rest of a game that looked unlikely to yield any points even if we had 11.

Bournemouth's win at the Emirates has placed them firmly in the driver's seat for eighth place and a likely spot in the Europa Conference League. Meanwhile, Brentford and Brighton's results mean we have a job to do to even finish in the top half.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but we still have our win and points records to aim for.

And then Marco's job switches from micro changes to macro ones, as he looks to fine-tune our first-team squad in the transfer market.

Fulham fans will be hoping he rediscovers that magic touch.

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Fulham manager Marco Silva and Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo are among the candidates being considered by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. (Talksport), external

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We asked for your views on Aston Villa's Premier League match against Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Cassie: Some of the Villa players looked tired after a long season. It was a game they needed to win,but didn't take advantage when Fulham only had 10 players on the pitch. Boubacar Kamara is an unsung hero and again he played a blinder.

Ian: A very controlled solid performance with a good early goal but missed chances made for a nervy ending to the game. I suppose with so much at stake, it is only to be expected.

Tony: A disjointed performance against a pedestrian opponent with little to really shout about apart from the points. Youri Tielemans worked tirelessly and was the pick of the bunch and Donyell Malen impressed when he came on. Ollie Watkins had another day to forget sadly. Only the points make any impression after the event.

David: Lucky to get three points. Too slow, and giving the ball away too easily. As for the substitutions, taking off Ian Maatsen and John McGinn when both were playing well, and leaving Pau Torres on when he was having a stinker... hard to work out what Unai Emery was thinking!

Fulham fans

David: As with last week against Southampton, we didn't get going until the second half. Much better then but ultimately not enough firepower up front. Has been said previously here but we still miss Aleksandar Mitrovic. Probably a season too soon for Europe so maybe it's no bad thing not to qualify.

Rob: Lacking passion, drive and imagination. A golden opportunity missed to pick up points against a Villa side low on confidence after their FA Cup defeat. Bournemouth showed how to do it against Arsenal, taking the game to them in the second half and having a right go at them. Why oh why couldn't Fulham have done the same against Villa?

Bill: Things seem to be falling apart right now. As a unit, the team look knackered and without inspiration. Silva's tactics and substitutions are often ludicrous, as twice now we've gone down to 10 men because of his decisions to use all his subs. You must hold one back in case of injuries surely?! We've fallen to 11th in 24 hours - not just disappointing but very worrying,

Robert: I thought Fulham had to beat the ref if they were to get anything out of the game.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is a contender to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, if the 59-year-old Australian is sacked after the club's disappointing season. (Football Insider), external

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-2 Ipswich

• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Eighth place could yet be enough to secure European football this season, but Fulham have a battle on their hands with Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford breathing down their necks.

Aston Villa's early winner was a soft one to concede as Youri Tielemans escaped the attentions of midfielder Sasa Lukic before beating goalkeeper Bernd Leno with a firm header, but the visitors carried more of a threat after half-time and were unfortunate not to be level early in the second period.

Ryan Sessegnon had an effort ruled out because the ball struck the 24-year-old's left hand as he set himself up for the shot, before Harry Wilson failed to get a decisive touch on a magnificent Alex Iwobi pass not long afterwards.

Fulham have now lost six of their past 10 games in the league – as many as in their first 25 games of the campaign.

They will be overtaken by Bournemouth if the Cherries avoid defeat at Arsenal in Saturday's late game, while Brighton and Brentford are both in action on Sunday.

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Marco Silva spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Fulham's defeat against Aston Villa: "We did show a great spirit, commitment and attitude and in the second half some good moments of quality too.

"This was a game both teams wanted to win, it is always difficult in a game like this, that is like a final.

"At 1-0 at half time we had two great chances to equalise the game. Even with 10 men, very unlucky ourselves pushing them back. They were wasting time every single time and that showed how difficult it was for them.

"We have to keep looking to the next one. Today was a final and our next final is against Everton. We have to keep fighting."

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Willian came on to make his 326th appearance in the Premier League, the outright most by a South American player in the competition's history.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Villa's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

It would be easy to say the wheels have come off at Aston Villa, wouldn't it?

In the past couple of weeks, they have gone out of the Champions League and FA Cup, and losing their last Premier League game has left them playing catch-up in the top-five race.

I don't think Unai Emery's side will crumble from here, though, even if Marcus Rashford's season-ending injury is a big blow.

Villa need to win this, and they also need a big performance from Ollie Watkins. If he starts banging the goals in again then that would be a huge boost for their run-in.

Fulham are a nightmare to predict, as I've mentioned in previous weeks, and they are certainly capable of getting something here.

I don't think Villa can keep a clean sheet - which probably means they will stop Fulham scoring - but I have a feeling things will click for them in front of goal.

Also, they are at home too so, if they need them, their fans can help to get them over the line.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Fulham Supporters' Trust has expressed "regret and worry" about a 2.8% rise in season ticket prices.

The west London club's prices range from a league-high £3,000 in the new Riverside Stand, to £473.

FST, the biggest fan group at Craven Cottage, began taking on Shahid Khan's ownership with a yellow card protest over ticket prices in April 2023, before a 4% increase last season.

It has continued to fight stadium price rise, while accepting the expansion of the new Riverside Stand, which has a rooftop pool and will be fully operational next weekend, is an important revenue stream for hospitality packages.

Marco Silva's side are chasing European qualification for the first time since 2011, and FST praised aspects of Khan's leadership and "continued investment in the club, the team and the stadium" in its latest statement, while criticising the price rises.

FST had argued for a price freeze in line with some other Premier League clubs, and questioned "whether increases in ticket prices will materially change the club's financial position".

It added: "Matchday revenue - not just tickets - amounted to a mere 10% of the total in the last financial results, dwarfed by revenue from the Premier League, commercial sponsorship and broadcasters.

"Ticket price increases have a disproportionately small impact on profitability but a much more material impact on long-standing loyal supporters.

"The new world-class facilities offered by the Riverside Stand should have been prioritised as target areas for revenue increases."

The statement also praised Fulham for keeping concessions and releasing further season tickets but criticised the club for not consulting FST. However, FST has a seat on the Fan Advisory Board (FAB), which praised the club for "maintaining affordability for supporters while long-term financial sustainability goals".

Fulham had already explained they "respect financial challenges can impact both supporters and organisations" and that the decision "was made with careful consideration, largely driven by the continued rise in matchday and operational costs".

"Our ambition to be financially sustainable, as well as competitive on the pitch in an ever-demanding Premier League, are also always important factors when deliberating ticket prices," the club added.

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Though Andreas Pereira has created more chances from set play than any other player in the Premier League this season (37), no team have scored fewer set-piece goals (excluding penalties) than Fulham this season (five).

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva believes that it will be "difficult" for Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz to be ready to play a part in Fulham's end-of-season games.

• Silver said: "Not for this game, not for the next one. It's going to be difficult for the rest of the season. The news is not good regarding Rodrigo Muniz."

• However there is positive news as left-back Antonee Robinson is available for the weekend after being out with an achilles injury.

• Aston Villa will be a "big, big game," according to Silva. Speaking further he said: "I really believe it's a big game for Villa too. An amazing place to play football, a great environment to be in. The pressure from the Villa supporters is going to be big. "It's a great challenge for us, another great test. We really love to play in these types of games, and we need to step in and show our quality."

• On Aston Villa: "We are talking about a team that showed their ambition, not just last pre-season, but in January by making five signings. They were really assertive and Unai is always saying about the solutions he has, and the competition he has in the squad. They have high-quality all around their squad, and it's going to be a great test for us."

• On Willian's future: "Like Willian and other contract situations, they need to be analysed at the right moment. We have some other guys as well, and important decisions will be made in the summer."

• Silva praised Willian, stating: "We need to be honest with him. His reactions have been very good, especially his pressing. He's working very hard; every time we have seen him on the pitch in those three games, he has shown the quality we know he has. He's not that very quick player anymore, but he has shown his good qualities. We are delighted with him, but a decision will be made at the end of the season."

• Silva also denied the rumours linking Fulham with full-backs such as Kyle Walker-Peters instead of renewing Kenny Tete's deal: "Our priority is to renew with Kenny, who is at the end of his contract, and it's normal for other teams to be linked with him as well."

Follow all of Fulham's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Fulham are said to be interested in right-back Ben Johnson, 25, with Ipswich suffering relegation from the Premier League. (Sky Sports), external

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Drew Heatley
Fan writer

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Never leave a Fulham game early.

Ryan Sessegnon's late winner on Saturday means Fulham have won the third-highest number of points from a losing position this season.

This, coupled with the fact we have lost the second-highest number of points from a winning position, has defined this campaign.

They have given us the highs and lows that have punctuated this rollercoaster ride.

Just as games like Chelsea last week felt like sucker punches, late goals like Sess's against the Saints, his strike against Spurs, and Harry Wilson's injury-time double against Brentford have sent Fulham fans into raptures – and mean that we are still in the hunt for a European berth next term.

Many of our late goals have come from substitutions. In fact, they have contributed 15 of our 50 strikes this season. One more of those would be a Premier League record, a testament to Marco Silva's ability to shuffle the deck.

There are just four games of the season left – and each one feels like a cup final, as cliched as that sounds. Currently, it is in our own hands, but we have some tough fixtures ahead.

We travel to Villa Park next weekend to face an Aston Villa side desperate to squeeze into the top five. Then we host Everton, before a West London derby at the Gtech Stadium; we have picked up just one point there since Brentford moved in.

And, to top it all off, Manchester City visit Craven Cottage on the final day. We will all be praying for a bit of daylight between us and the chasing pack by that point, or we could be suffering some late heartbreak once more.

But, with Fulham it is never over until the final whistle. So, stay in your seats for the end of this tale.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Fulham are interested in signing 28-year-old England full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer when his Southampton contract expires this summer. (Sky Sports), external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Fulham at St Mary's.

Here are some of your replies:

Southampton fans

Chris: Utter dross. These are supposedly 'professional' footballers - I think they need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. I've seen more skill and passion from non-league sides.

Oliver: A game of two halves - the nostalgic Southampton of then and the daunting Southampton of now. Simon Rusk has elevated us from 'that bad' to 'not that bad', and we looked like dominant for the first 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the second half underscored our disappointing season and the sad reality that lesser sides like Fulham, among others, have overtaken us. It left me with doubt that we could ever return to our glory days.

Bill: I'm not sure how many time Jan Bednarek has cost us points this season. I realise that at times he has saved us, but sadly neither he nor Jack Stephens are Premier League standard and they never have been. Our defence was tired and disorganised but I wasn't aware of any forwards having a pop at goal. If you don't shoot you won't score! I'm not sure why folk thought Ross Stewart was the prodigal son returning. I've not seen anything to persuade me of his value to the club. Sell him!

Marc: Stephens was a gladiator - he gave it his all. It's a shame the rest of his team couldn't be bothered. Super Jack Stephens.

Fulham fans

Matthew: A pretty poor performance, particularly in the first half. Many individual errors throughout the whole game and we were very lucky that Southampton had no threat. Credit where it's due for Southampton's gameplan, but also the Fulham substitutes were impactful. I also felt Southampton's substitute of Stewart for Cameron Archer really helped Fulham. A win is a win!

Richard: Three points, but what a struggle to get there. They are not likely to make Europe - they are just too inconsistent and conceding late goals has been their undoing.

Will: We never make it easy for ourselves. We need Crystal Palace to lose the FA Cup final for eighth place to be good enough. We need to do all that we can to keep our position.

Michael: I really can't understand why Marco Silva keeps playing Andreas Pereira because he makes very little contribution to the overall game. Time and time again he fails to make a decent cross from a corner and worse still his free kicks are consistently poor. His unnecessary tackle in the 17th minute gifted Southampton their first attempt. Time to go, I think.