Fulham vs Aston Villa team news: Iwobi out as Chukwueze starts, Onana absent for Villa
Fulham and Aston Villa have confirmed their starting lineups, with both sides making important changes ahead of this Premier League meeting.
The biggest blow for Fulham is the absence of Alexander Iwobi, who misses the match after limping off in last week’s draw with Brentford. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are without Amadou Onana, with attention now likely to turn to whether that absence has any connection to next week’s Europa League semifinal.
Both teams still name competitive XIs, but the changes could have a clear effect on the shape and rhythm of the game.
Fulham lose Iwobi but hand Chukwueze a start
Fulham come into the match without one of their most important players.
Iwobi’s absence removes energy, ball-carrying ability, and experience from the side, which makes this one of the key team news developments before kickoff. Samuel Chukwueze, who appeared from the bench last week, now comes into the starting lineup.
That switch gives Fulham a more direct and attack-minded option in wide areas. Chukwueze can stretch play and offer one-vs-one threat, but Iwobi’s absence still changes the balance of the side.
Raul Jimenez starts up front, while Sander Berge comes into midfield in place of Tom Cairney. That suggests Fulham may look for a bit more physical presence and control in central areas, especially against a Villa side that usually tries to move the ball quickly through midfield.
Fulham starting XI
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Raul Jimenez.
Fulham substitutes
Lecomte (GK), Reed, Muniz, Cairney, Bobb, Kusi-Asare, King, Diop, Robinson.
Aston Villa missing Onana as Bogarde returns
The biggest team news on the Villa side is the absence of Amadou Onana.
There was no immediate confirmation in the text provided on the exact reason, but his absence is notable given the timing, with Villa also preparing for a major European match next week. Whether this is injury-related, precautionary, or tactical remains an important question.
His place goes to Lamare Bogarde, who returns to the lineup. Pau Torres is also back in defense, adding experience and composure at the back, while Emi Buendia gets the nod in midfield ahead of Ross Barkley.
Those changes give Villa a slightly different look. Buendia brings creativity and movement between the lines, while Bogarde’s inclusion may alter the midfield balance compared with a setup that includes Onana.
Aston Villa starting XI
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Bogarde; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
Aston Villa substitutes
Bizot (GK), Lindelof, Mings, Barkley, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Maatsen, Bailey.
What the team news could mean
Fulham’s changes point to a side that may try to stay aggressive despite losing Iwobi.
Chukwueze’s inclusion adds pace and directness, while Jimenez’s presence up front gives them a clear focal point. The midfield pairing of Berge and Lukic may also be asked to do more defensive work, especially if Villa manage to build possession through Tielemans and Buendia.
For Aston Villa, the absence of Onana is the most significant concern before kickoff. Even so, Unai Emery still has a strong spine in the team, with Martinez, Konsa, Pau Torres, Tielemans, and Watkins all starting.
Villa’s attack still looks dangerous, but Onana’s missing presence in midfield could affect duels, recovery work, and defensive protection in transitions.
A match shaped by absences and returns
This is the kind of fixture where team news matters.
Fulham are without a key performer in Iwobi, while Villa are missing Onana at a time when every selection is under extra scrutiny because of their European schedule. At the same time, both teams still have enough quality in the starting XI to make this a competitive match.
The biggest questions before kickoff are simple: can Fulham cope without Iwobi’s influence, and can Villa control midfield without Onana?
Those answers may go a long way toward deciding the game.