Aston Villa vs Fulham: Inside track on the Cottagers

We spoke with Ryan O'Donovan, Fulham reporter for football.london, to get the low-down on Slavisa Jokanovic's men.

Fulham take on Villa at Wembley having famously struggled in the play-offs until their second leg win over the Rams - have they finally banished these demons after getting by Derby?

I think they've certainly got the monkey off their back by coming from behind and beating Derby in the play-off.

They dominated the first leg and lost and it looked like it could be another one of those play-off campaigns for the Whites.

However, the side rallied and produced one of their best displays to turn the tie round and I think they'll take confidence from that.

The Cottagers had their chance to nab automatic promotion on the final day, ironically enough losing against Villa's bitter rivals Blues, has there been any hangover from this disappointment?

None at all, really.

The way the side saw it was that second was never theirs to lose, so despite getting beaten by Birmingham on the final day, I think they know that had they gone up in the tie, Cardiff would've got into second gear and probably beat Reading.

Having chased for so long, Fulham saw the play-offs as the more realistic route so I don't think there was any lasting hangover from the disappointment.

A lot has been said about teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon, do you think he has what it takes to perform on the Wembley stage - or could he be overawed by the occasion?

He certainly won't be overawed - Sessegnon is mature beyond his years and has performed amazingly well at some of the most hostile atmospheres, like at the Den against Millwall.

He has the talent and mindset to perform on the big stage and I think he'll take the Wembley game in his stride, just like he's done with every game since stepping onto the scene.

Who, in your opinion, is the biggest threat from a Fulham perspective - is it Sessegnon, or someone else?

I think it's Aleksandar Mitrovic.

His goals have been pivotal for Fulham since joining in January and have really pushed them to where they are now.

He provides a focal point for the build up play we've gotten so used to the Whites playing and having that kind of player up top to play the ball into was the missing piece to the jigsaw for the side.

He's certainly going to cause problems for John Terry and James Chester on Saturday.

Where are the key battles on the pitch between the two sides in your opinion?

The key one is in midfield between Jack Grealish and Tom Cairney.

Villa seem to have been built round Grealish, while Cairney is the man that makes Fulham tick and if he can dominate the ball, Fulham will fancy their chances.

Fulham are obviously known for their attractive football - do you think the big pitch at Wembley suits them or Villa?

This is a question that has been going around in the week since Fulham secured a place, and I don't think it'll make too much of a difference.

Craven Cottage is quite a small pitch in comparison so it will take some getting used to, but at the end of the day it's just another football pitch.

Who in the Villa ranks are you wary of?

Grealish - like I've mention previously he's the main man and he has the ability to make things tick for Villa.

If the Whites can stop him and get their own creative players on the ball, they have a real chance.

How do you expect Fulham to shape up, who's set to start? Is anyone injured?

Fulham have a fully fit side so I'd expect the same as usual, a 4-3-3 with Mitrovic flanked by two attacking players.

Who joins the right though is the question - Sessegnon will play left but no one has commanded that right spot.

Aboubakar Kamara's pace hurt Derby and with Slavisa Jokanovic talking about using speed to try and hurt Terry, Kamara could well start.

Both sides won at home against one another through the season, do you think either of those games will be in either team's thinking this weekend?

Not at all - the season has come and gone now and this is a one-off game for the biggest prize in football.

Fulham were a different kettle of fish back at Villa Park, while Villa were missing Grealish and Albert Adomah at the Cottage, so I don't think either team will look at those games.

Your match prediction?

I think it's going to be a tight game and could go all the way to the wire, but I'm going to go for 2-1 Fulham.

You can follow Ryan by searching for @R_O_Donovan on Twitter.