Colin: Remember the euphoria from Villa fans when they signed Coutinho? They thought they had a world class player for their team. Liverpool fans knew better, good not great.

Tyrone Mings has suddenly disappeared. The Villa defender is behind the advertising hordings.

No, he's not playing hide and seek... he's tumbled over the board with his momentum from trying to keep the ball in play. Ouch!

Thankfully he is made of granite and is fine to continue.

Image source, Getty Images

Better from Villa. Two balls lumped into the box create a bit of uncertainty in the Fulham defence, with Tyrone Mings trying to head back into the mixer before Danny Ings nods straight at Bernd Leno.

Right on cue, Aleksandar Mitrovic creates a nuisance.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid is allowed to run in his own postcode on the right flank, whipping in a delicious cross towards the Serb.

This is what he feeds on. Mitrovic muscles his way between two Villa defenders and devours what is put on his plate, but misses the target with the header.

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mitrovic is so important to Fulham, everything goes through him. He is their focal point and he gives them so much going forward. I can't help but feel that Steven Gerrard's back four might not be enough to nullify Mitrovic.

Villa manage to punch their way out of the box and force a corner.

Time to go through one of the meticulous-planned training routines... instead, Douglas Luiz lumps an outswinger from the right over everybody in the box.

Fulham are bang up for this. Full-backs Antonee Robinson and Bobby De Cordova-Reid are very high and seeing lots of the ball.

Douglas Luiz has seen enough and asserts himself in the midfield battle, shrugging off a Fulham counterpart with a strong hustle.

Right then, Villa have space on the left.

John McGinn collects in the centre, looks up but then shanks out for a throw-in. Hmm.

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Brilliant start from Fulham, they have taken the game to Villa and are asking questions of them. So far, Villa haven't got the answers.

Let's get it started, says new Fulham man Willian. He almost does.

The Brazilian veteran is picked out on the left side of the Villa box, cuts inside and shoots straight at Emi Martinez's legs.

Still sharp as a razor.

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The pressure of the Villa fans is immense. It's a huge football club but these players can deal with it, they understand what it's like to play for a club like this.

Cracking start for Fulham. Antonee Robinson is fixed up and looking sharp on the left, but his cross is blocked by Villa debutant Jan Bednarek.

The danger is not over, though...

Fulham, who are three games without a win, are straight on the front foot.

Referee Michael Oliver toots his whistle and that, if I'm not mistaken, means it is game on.

Two matches tonight and our friends over at 5 Live have two radio commentaries.

First up is Fulham v Villa on 5 Live...

...with Leicester v Leeds starting on 5 Sports Extra.

Craven Cottage turns into Alexandra Palace as the players come out.

Lights are dimmed before the strobes are turned on. Feels like the darts rather than football.

No fancy dress in the stands though.

Crackling atmosphere, let's hope the football matches...

Cast on Villa: Three points tonight, minimum. Gerrard has had us underperforming for too long. A must win game!

Shouldn't Gerrard have been able to get his players to click by now?!

He's had a decent chunk of time...

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the ilk of player that Gerrard has brought into the football club are of a better quality than what Dean Smith brought in but unfortunately for him, they are not hitting the heights that we know they are capable of.

Aston Villa haven't won away from home and that worries me a little bit because you question the group's mentality. No one has scored more than one goal for them which with the attacking prowess they've got is a very disappointing return. If he can make those players click and start scoring goals then they haven't got any problems.

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham manager Marco Silva says tonight's match is a good opportunity for his side to end their three-match winless run.

To do that, he has urged his side to cut out sloppy mistakes, like conceding in the first minute against Bournemouth last time out.

"Some of the things we did in the last game we did in a very good way that we must keep doing. Some things we must improve," said the Portuguese boss.

"If we perform at our best level and avoid certain types of mistakes, of course we are able to win the match.

"I don’t like [defensive problems]. It is something we are all working to improve. I said we have to improve some things. The way we start games is one of them - we cannot concede a goal in the first minute.

"It’s clear we have to improve these situations. We, as a collective, have to perform at our best level. I’m sure, if we perform at our best level, it will be a really, really tough game for Villa."