Dugout Discussion

Traoré benched again as Aston Villa start two strikers against Wolves

Adama Traoré (£5.8m) finds himself on the Wolves bench for the second tie in three matches since the Premier League restart.

Nuno Espirito Santo has gone with a 3-5-2 formation for the tip to Aston Villa, the same system used for the last away match at West Ham.

For that Gameweek 30+ encounter, the Wolves manager used Traoré as an impact substitute, to good effect, and it appears that will be his plan again today.

Raúl Jiménez (£8.3m) owners and captainers will be pleased to see the Mexican in the starting line-up although may be a little disappointed by Traoré’s benching.

The two players form the most productive pairing in the Premier League this season, seven of Jiménez’s goals coming from Traoré assists.

Diogo Jota (£6.3m) gets his third successive start since the restart, joining Jiménez in the front-two.

Leander Dendoncker (£4.4m) is the man coming in for Traoré, sitting in a three-man central-midfield unit alongside Ruben Neves (£5.2m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.4m).

Meanwhile, popular Wolves defenders Matt Doherty (£6.4m) and Romain Saïss (£4.6m) both keep their starts once again.

They will have to handle a new-look Aston Villa attack this afternoon, with Dean Smith making the decision to go with a front-pairing of his own.

Rather than choose between Keinan Davis (£4.3m) and Mbwana Samatta (£5.6m), the Villa manager has started them together, supported by Jack Grealish (£6.4m) in what appears to be a central role.

Smith’s decision to go with a more conversative back-four has produced improved defensive showings since the restart, so he hands starts to Matt Targett (£4.4m), Tyrone Mings (£4.4m), Kortney Hause (£4.4m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.3m) once again.

Despite the tweaks to the front-three, Smith keeps faith in a three-man screening for the defence, deploying Marvelous Nakamba (£4.4m), Douglas Luiz (£4.4m) and Conor Hourihane (£5.7m) in central midfield.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-1-2): Nyland; Targett, Hause, Mings, Konsa; Nakamba, D Luiz, Hourihane; Grealish; Davis, Samatta.

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Doherty; D Jota, Jiménez.

1,481 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    As a Patricio owner, i feel a little bit greedy for Wolves defense being so good that he actually never comes close to any kind of save points

    1. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, I almost feel let down. Greedy and ungrateful hahah.

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Thats not greed. Thats an important and valid observation.

      Pope takes 10pts with that score

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        But less clean sheets.

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I’ve got 2 Wolves defenders and still no bonus points!

    4. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yea one save last two weeks since I brought him in but I’d rather have better chance of a CS each week than own Pope. Didn’t think they’d keep out Watford though so far play to the majority that put him in for a haul last week.

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I agree. Pat is ultimate set and forget option since the restart began, and duly delivering on that

  2. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Double Wolves CS numbs the pain of a Jimenez captaincy failure.

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      same situation...but wanted the captaincy points 🙁

    2. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      This

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Same here, still annoying!

  3. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Another double CS 😎

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Juhuhuuu

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Bonus?

    3. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Same here, really surprised it's not more common here to have double Wolves defence. Their clean sheet record since around February has been remarkable.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I benched Rui since gave armband do Docherty.

    5. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I benched Doherty 🙁

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        6.4 to bench him against Villa

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          This

        2. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah benched Son and Rashford too 🙁

          1. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            BB

          2. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            Where’s the downvote button

            1. _Ninja_
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 10 months ago

              😀

            2. HNI
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 10 months ago

              Flagged it for being dumb post

          3. HNI
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            BB dummy

      2. One More Hit
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Double-you tee eff?

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I C him

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Ballsy, like it.

      4. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Mental

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          On BB though.

    6. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Have Boly and Saiss. At least this double worked.

  4. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Nah, I'm not captaining a defender in FPL again
    Just can't relax until the final whistle!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      It is annoying, but when I play fpl, I play to get points.

  5. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    If Vardy scores now I’ve taken him out for Jimenez....

  6. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Happy enough with Doherty (c). ML rivals have rashford (c) so could still be a fail

  7. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Grab that bonus Boly !!!

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No bonus

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Not today

  8. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    DCL a good replacement for Jota? Surely can't get worse than this.

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    After Bruno C last week I will take Doherty C as a result 🙂

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yea quite smart in a week without many good captain choices. Well done

  10. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Use the wildcard for this team?

    a. yes
    b. no

    Nyland
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier
    KDB, Salah, Pulisic, Fernandes
    Jiménez, Auba, Ings

    Button, Lascelles, Guendouzi, Simpson
    1 free transfer, 0.0 million in the bank, wildcard, free hit and bench boost chips

  11. maff
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Changed captain from Jiminez to Doherty this morning. Fairly happy with that

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I went Martial over Jimenez who was captain last week. Dodged a bullet seemingly.

  12. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Mane (c) v this Villa defence locked in.

    1. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      For GW33 obviously.

  13. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Jimenez and Doherty captain fails.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Was nearly tempted by Doherty. Lucky escape.

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Doherty captain is only half a fail = 12, Jimmy is a fail = 4 (Jimmy (c) here 🙁 )

    3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Dude, 6 pt captain is not a failure.

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      How is 12 a failure?
      Last week Bruno 3+3
      This week Jimmy 2+2

  14. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Looking forward to this afternoon’s football.

  15. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Jonny 3
    Dendoncker 2
    Coady 1

  16. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Coady>Doherty jesus

  17. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Enjoying that Billie Eilish music.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      She’s an incredible artist.

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Popular picks missing out by 1/2 BPS.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      That Doh SOT?

  19. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think of my free hit squad for GW33+?
    Ryan, 3.9m
    TAA, Doherty, Maguire, Lascelles 3.9m
    Mane, KDB, Son, Bruno, 4.2m
    Maupay, Rashford, Jiminez

  20. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Looking down the barrel after that cap blank
    #lastmanstanding

  21. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    7 cleansheets in 8 for Wolves

    #TighterThanADucksArse

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Strange comparison, that from experience or what 😮

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        A duck’s arse has to be tight - Otherwise all the water would get in & it would sink

        #Biology

  22. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Dendoncker first sub...

  23. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Doherty and Saiss double clean sheet again. Will they get any bonus?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Nope imo

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      They’re both out, not just an opinion

  24. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Grealish proving he is not a captain he has been poor the last few games

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      He’s a good player but lacks quality around him and If the opposition can nullify him they beat Villa. You see him getting frustrated and coming deeper and deeper where he’s not a danger.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        He can come to Arsenal

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Price is dropping for sure

  25. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Predictions for this evening's quarter final?

    Norwich 0-2 United (Ighalo, Greenwood)

    Think United might rest a few...

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      2-2 Norwich on pens

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Hopefully Martial plays 90

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Pogba too

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          I think he'll rest both for the Premier League.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yea think Ighalo will start. Not exactly Norwich’s priority so Utd can probably rest a few. 2-0 sounds about right

  26. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Double wolves defence and Jimenez captain

    How should I feel?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Bittersweet

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      If you're chasing, not good.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      OK
      Jimenez is the most captained player, so it's not likely you have gone for a wild punt that hasn't paid off
      And two CSs is a good result, not sure there will be that many elsewhere this GW

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Happy for the defence but the cap failure dampens it a bit. 14 pts and caprained played x 3 players played is slightly below par I'd say.

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Captain#

  27. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Doherty no BAPS final?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

  28. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez to concede to annoy Rui benchers?

  29. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    I dread to think how many times my captain has blanked this season, probably about 30 out of the 32 game weeks!

    Next season it will be set and forget on Salah/KDB/Mane no matter what the fixtures

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      My captain picks have been shocking this season. Not surprised anymore.

  30. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Could Doc sneak into the 1 BAP after all deductions?

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Hope so

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No, good bit off.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Nope
      He's got deductions and falls to 7th in the baps rankings