Owned by just 3.3% of managers in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Stewart Downing is not the most fashionable of selections (those missed spot-kicks live long in the memory) but his two goals in four games have seen him pick up more points than any other Villa player so far, including the popular and more expensive options, Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor. At just 7.0 in FPL and with a home game against a wounded Bolton to come this Gameweek, Downing has done more than enough to sneak onto our radars as a short-term pick.
The fitness problems surrounding Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew meant Aston Villa have moved to a 4-5-1 formation this season, and in the most part, it has been relatively successful. While the obvious beneficiaries of the new formation have been Marc Albrighton who has claimed the right wing spot, and Ashley Young has been playing off the lone striker, Downing has also flourished. The changes have been subtle but Downing has been afforded more freedom to shift to central areas and he’s been enjoying more goalscoring opportunities as a result. This heatmap highlights the difference in Downing’s play between Villa’s most recent game against Stoke and the last game of the 2009/10 season against Portsmouth. It demonstrates that Downing is far more active in the central areas.
Downing has accrued 8 goals attempts in his four starts so far, scoring twice – only Carew can equal that number of efforts in the Villa ranks. In terms of influence Downing has seen more of the ball than any other Villa midfielder and with 28 crosses, he is amongst the top three suppliers of a crossed ball in the entire league.
A quick glance at our Next Five Ticker shows Villa have two attractive looking fixtures up next against Bolton (who will be without Jääskeläinen and Cahill) and Wolves, although they do toughen up after this, with a visit to White Hart lane followed by a home game against Chelsea. Downing looks a short-term prospect then, but has the form and opposition to entice those looking for that fifth midfield differential.