Credit: Imago
Fri 24 April 2026 8:10, UK
Unai Emery shouldn’t have any issue with Michael Oliver being referee for Aston Villa‘s trip to Fulham, as the Villans are on a winning run with him in the middle.
Aston Villa enter Saturday’s game against the Cottagers in strong form, with Bologna and Sunderland both hit for four over the last two games.
Emery’s side almost threw away their three points against the Black Cats last time out though, but it was a victory that all but mathematically secured their place in the Champions League for next season.
Villa’s campaign is far from over though, with a two-legged Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest to navigate, with Emery perhaps shifting his focus to this competition given their position in the Premier League table.
So, with five league matches to go, Fulham are next on Villa’s top-flight agenda, as they look to take advantage of the inconsistent run of form Marco Silva’s side find themselves in at the moment.
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What is Aston Villa’s record with Michael Oliver as referee?
It’s been confirmed that Oliver will be the referee in charge of Aston Villa’s clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, in what will be the third time he’s taken a Villa game in the Premier League this season.
Oliver was criticised when Villa beat Man City back in October last year, as he was adjudged to have got numerous decisions wrong that day which went against the Cityzens in their 1-0 loss at Villa Park.
Michael Oliver factsAnswerDate of birth20 February, 1985County FANorthumberland FAYoungest ever PL referee25 years and 182 days oldFIFA listed from2012
Villa certainly didn’t mind that day, and they also won’t shrug at his appointment for their clash with Fulham this weekend.
Indeed, as detailed by Transfermarkt, the Villans are undefeated in their last four Premier League games with Oliver in the middle, dating back to the 2-1 win over Chelsea in late February last year.
He’s also presided over wins against Man City and Man United this season, with his most recent Villa game as referee being the 1-1 draw with Leeds on 21 February this year respectively.
In fact, Villa have lost just once in their last seven league games with Oliver in charge, which came in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in August 2024, following wins over Luton Town and Leeds respectively.
Credit: Breaking Media
Overall, Aston Villa’s record with Oliver as referee stands at 14 wins, eight draws and 19 losses from 41 career games, and he’s also shown Villa players three red cards in that time.
What is Fulham’s record with Oliver as referee?
So, Oliver appears to be a good luck charm for Aston Villa at the moment, but is that the same for Fulham?
Well, as it goes, yes. That’s because the Cottagers have won three-straight games with Oliver in the middle, all of which have been in the Premier League this season.
That’s been against Brighton, Burnley and Brentford respectively, but prior to those last three, Fulham had actually only recorded one win from five with the FIFA listed referee in charge.
Overall, Fulham have eight wins, three draws and nine defeats from the 20 games Oliver as refereed them, but unlike Villa, he’s never brandished a red card to one of their players.
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