Aston Villa vs Fulham line-ups: Goretzka starts as Jackson leads Villa attack

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Leon Goretzka starts for Aston Villa against Fulham, with Nicolas Jackson and Johan Manzambi both named in Unai Emery’s side for the Premier League meeting at Villa Park.

The Aston Villa vs Fulham line-ups also confirm a starting place for visiting defender David Affengruber. Sander Berge partners Shea Charles in Fulham’s midfield, while Calvin Bassey captains the visitors.

Kick-off is at 8pm GMT on Saturday 31 October. Our Aston Villa vs Fulham viewing guide has the broadcast details.

Aston Villa line-up: Goretzka in midfield, Jackson up front

Goretzka is selected alongside Boubacar Kamara, with João Gomes among the substitutes. John McGinn captains Villa, while Alysson and Manzambi also start in support of Jackson.

Jackson and Manzambi’s inclusion settles the main questions from Emery’s pre-match update. Both missed the midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Bournemouth, but the Villa manager had expected them to be available for Fulham’s visit.

Zion Suzuki starts in goal. Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen are the four defenders named in the XI.

Aston Villa: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; Alysson, Manzambi, McGinn; Jackson.

Substitutes: Bizot, Harwood-Bellis, Mings, Barkley, Buendía, Garnacho, Mbaye, Gomes, Madjo.

Captain: John McGinn.

Fulham line-up: Affengruber starts, Bassey captains

Affengruber is named in Fulham’s defence alongside Bassey, with Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson also starting in front of goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Robinson’s selection follows Álvaro Arbeloa’s pre-match confirmation that he would start. Ryan Sessegnon remains unavailable as he serves the final match of his suspension.

Berge gets the nod alongside Charles in midfield, with Hugo Larsson on the bench. Josh King, Oscar Bobb and Alex Iwobi are also selected, while Gonzalo García leads the attack.

Emile Smith Rowe is not included in the matchday squad. The team sheet does not give a reason for his absence.

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Gonzalo García.

Substitutes: Lecomte, Tete, Andersen, Cairney, Larsson, Manuel Ángel, Palacios, Kevin, Muniz.

Captain: Calvin Bassey.

Villa and Fulham have attacking options on the bench

Emery can turn to Emiliano Buendía, Alejandro Garnacho and Ibrahim Mbaye if Villa need to change their attack. Ross Barkley and Gomes offer midfield alternatives, with Tyrone Mings and Taylor Harwood-Bellis providing defensive cover.

For Fulham, Rodrigo Muniz is the alternative to García up front. Kevin and César Palacios are also among the substitutes, while Tom Cairney and Larsson give Arbeloa options in midfield.

Joachim Andersen and Kenny Tete are available from the bench in defence. Benjamin Lecomte is the reserve goalkeeper, with Marco Bizot filling that role for Villa.

Aston Villa vs Fulham: kick-off and match details

Detail	Information
Match	Aston Villa vs Fulham
Competition	Premier League
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026
Kick-off	8pm GMT
Venue	Villa Park
UK broadcaster	Sky Sports
Villa captain	John McGinn
Fulham captain	Calvin Bassey

Both clubs are chasing a third successive Premier League victory. Our Aston Villa vs Fulham preview looks at their recent form and the contest ahead.

Villa’s official matchday preview and Fulham’s matchday guide provide further pre-match information. The confirmed starting teams and substitutes above are taken from the clubs’ team-sheet graphics.

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