A few weeks ago, fans at Craven Cottage were dreaming of a place in Europe for next season, but the season now rests on a knife-edge with Fulham sat 12th in the table.

The Cottagers have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League matches, that's as many blanks as in their previous 25 games combined. And their struggles in attack are highlighted by their poor shot conversion rate. From their 71 shots over these five games, they have scored just three times, a success of just 4.2%.

And next up is Aston Villa, who many at Craven Cottage will be looking at as inspiration as a side that has been back in the Premier League for only a year longer than Fulham, but have played in Europe for successive seasons and are close to securing another year among the elite as they currently sit in the Champions League places.

Against sides at the upper end of the table, Fulham really struggle. They've won just one of their last nine against teams starting the day in the top half (D2, L6).

It could be a busy day for Bernd Leno as Villa are on a hot streak in front of goal with 12 goals in four games in all competitions this month.

But the German goalkeeper won't be unnerved by such stats, as one of Fulham's most consistent performers, starting each of their last 145 Premier League matches, the longest ongoing run of any player for any side.

Only five players have had longer runs of starts in Premier League history: Brad Friedel (310), Tim Howard (210), Pepe Reina (183), David James (twice, 166 and 158), and Kasper Schmeichel (149).

It could be a testing day for Leno and the hosts as they come up against a clinical, in-form Villa side, who have shown Fulham what it takes to break away from the mundane but commendable life in the Premier League's mid-table.