Dugout Discussion

Fantasy community back Villa in opening Gameweek 28 match

The Fantasy Premier League community are backing Aston Villa in the opening match of Gameweek 28.

41.0% of managers worldwide are in possession of Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m) for a Friday-night trip to Newcastle after two double-figure hausl since Gameweek 24.

The Villa goalkeeper has recorded eight clean sheets away from home this season, at least two more than any other shot-stopper after 27 Gameweeks.

Meanwhile, 14.7% have brought Matt Targett (£5.0m) into Gameweek 28, who lines up against Newcastle’s out-of-form right-back Emil Krafth (£4.2m) tonight.

While Villa’s left-back has produced just three attacking returns this season, two of them have come on the road.

There is less of a spread of interest in Dean Smith’s attacking assets even for a favourable meeting with Newcastle.

Jack Grealish‘s (£7.5m) continued absence is sure to have played a part in that.

Villa have scored two league goals in four matches since their talismanic midfielder succumbed to a leg injury, Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) and Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) the only players to find the net during that period.

The latter is on the bench tonight with Trézéguet (£5.2m) and Traoré either side of Ollie Watkins (£6.6m) in a 4-3-3 formation.

The former Brentford man is the only fit and starting Villa midfield or forward asset above 1.4% ownership tonight, currently sat in 26.7% of Fantasy teams worldwide.

Callum Wilson (£6.5m) remains the most-popular Newcastle option despite his ongoing absence while Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) and Miguel Almirón (£5.6m) are also on the sidelines.

Steve Bruce has selected Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) to lead the Magpies’ line tonight, supported by an attacking-midfield trio of Ryan Fraser (£5.6m), Joe Willock (£4.7m) and Joelinton (£5.7m).

Gameweek 28 Line-ups

Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Dúbravka; Dummett, Clark, Lascelles, Krafth; Hayden, Shelvey; Fraser, Willock, Joelinton; Gayle.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, El Mohamady; J Ramsey, D Luiz, McGinn; Trézéguet, Watkins, B Traoré.

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793 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Point About It Is
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Mings always this poor or is he making a special effort tonight?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's not normally poor. Normally he's mostly solid then has 1 or 2 disgraceful errors.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Love. It. Poor. Disgraceful. I heard some numpty the other day say he should be starting for England. Ridiculous.

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I just want to slap that chewing gum out of his mouth..

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol true, me too.

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Every time he is on the ball I feel Joelinton will nick it and score.

  2. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    New to the club. How does this work? Does Emi get all his saves in late?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Usually a few in the last 10 when they are hanging on a dripping deeper and deeper.

    2. swobe
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      after a rousing team talk from Brucey I'm sure the shots will come.

    3. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Give him time

      Usually gets 3 saves which is just enough for him to get 2 to 3 bonus points for a 9 to 10 pointer

      He doesn’t waste too much energy 😉

    4. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We didn't factor in Joelinton this week though 🙁

    5. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It needs opposition to shoot unfortunately

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can't back passes be included? Just the legal headed ones of course.

    6. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They will be changed to crosses anyway

  3. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Both teams are getting quite a bit of space in the final third. Neither has any quality though.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both have a championship strike force.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That's being generous! 😆

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes ... totally agree but they are both woeful in the attacking third. It’s painful to watch at times.

      3. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        When there's match on here, apparently all teams and players are "championship level" if they aren't scoring fpl points.

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          its hilarious, the amount of people calling ollie watkins "a championship player" is laughable

  4. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I actually did cancelo over Targett and I can see from a far Villa CL coming.

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      *cl

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I benched Targett and I could see a Villa CS coming all day too!

      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I can’t imagine how good your defence must be if you benched Targett this week!

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt they will reach top 4.

    4. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      someone tell me why I have Watkins.

  5. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    60m £ !!!!!

    Are you kidding me! Wow FI, interest rates and cost of funds are at a all time low and you couldn’t get a liquidity infusion to keep the bubble growing?

    Worst run Ponzi scheme ever

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Forgive my ignorance. Wtf are you on about?

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The great Football Index scandal .... a cautionary tale.

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lol. Can’t believe anyone would invest in that. Sounded unrealistic from the start. Otherwise banks and any other financial would have done it wash before now.

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Everyone desperate to get rich quick. It was an obvious scam though.

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Wait do you mean they can’t continue paying out net positive value weekly?

              LOL; It was only going to last until they ran out of money or their growth leveled off. Quite frankly I’m shocked it happened at 60 million and not 600 million

              1. StevenW
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                With commission on each buy & sale made (from ‘holder’ to ‘holder’) as well as IPO of new player, expiring shares & long term injured players value becoming next to nothing. I’m surprised they couldn’t balance the outgoings with forecasted income better & actually run it as a long term alternative to traditional gambling!

                1. The Suspended One
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  It’s the return structure that was the issue, they were spending more than they were taking in without any growth; meaning it was only solvent if they grew, making it a... wait for it... Ponzi scheme

            2. F_Ivanovic
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              is bitcoin also an obvious scam?

              1. Fudgy
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                It is if you are ignorant sure

              2. The Suspended One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I was never a Bitcoin hater, it’s just an equity, not a currency or payment store like they claim. So... kinda... put it this way, if you always viewed it as an equity, it was 2013 Tesla and fair game for getting in. The people buying it at $40k are rubes, for sure

                1. Fudgy
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Buying at $40k would have you $15k richer already. Don't check the price in 5 years for your own sanity.

                  1. The Suspended One
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Likewise. Past returns are not an indication of future value. Investing 101

                    1. Fudgy
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      They 100% are in the case of bitcoin. Past returns were my indication to invest a long time ago

        2. StevenW
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Netflix doc must be in production already

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            T hi s

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What’s the £60m?

      1. StevenW
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I also don’t understand the £60m.

        Maybe decrease in market cap since last week?

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The amount of funds “lost”

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          The owners should be locked up

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Could be..

    3. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The spoils were shared out some time ago ... this was just the inevitable car crash when investors belatedly realise they were duped

    4. StevenW
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of people responding to this with some pretty inaccurate / insensitive comments given the circumstances.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Be specific?

        1. StevenW
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not yourself, the (potentially unintentional) I told you so crowd above. Fudgy & Forever in our shadow.

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            To be fair many of us called it out as a scam day one. I wouldn’t be questioning anybody who claims to have seen this coming

            1. StevenW
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Original point is insensitivity to ‘boast’ (used lightly, maybe non constructively comment on would be more appropriate) about superior hindsight.

              1. The Suspended One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Umm; I thought I was saying £60m was an insane amount of money to have been stolen and that with those kinds of revenues, they should have been able to access the liquidity to continue the scam for a bit longer.

                Madoff would have made it 60b before the bubble burst.

                Don’t be salty with me, i’m not the one who collected the Ad dollars and shoved it in your face on this website every week

            2. F_Ivanovic
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              People are always calling things scams that they don't understand. Nothing about it seemed scammy. I bet you also think things like matched betting is a scam and that bitcoin when it first came out was a scam.

              1. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Bitcoin is a 'scam'. Has no intrinsic value, isn't widely used for payments and to mine a bitcoin uses a significant amount of energy (i.e. it is not an efficient use of energy).

              2. The Suspended One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Digital currencies are a scam in general, yes. Check the track record. Focusing on Bitcoin is called survivors bias, look it up.

  6. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    That. Was pretty. Dreadful. Goals galore 2nd half?

    1. Benjustjamin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 for Newcastle will be enough

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What way to kick off the weekends football this is!

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get the shite out the way? Always last on MOTD. 😉

  8. StevenW
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I’m a villa fan, have 3 Villa players in my FPL team... tight ML’s & high up.... yet still not interested in this game, it just seems dull.

    Words are beyond me how half of you are watching

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The game is desperate for a bit of Jack.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shows you what will happen if you can’t keep Jacky Boy

      1. StevenW
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sad truth, although hopeful we can & also add to squad (again).

  9. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Newcastle are pants.

  10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Based on that Villa performance tough to decide whether it should be Son, Bale, Kane or Reguilon, Bale/ Son, Kane on FH next week!

    1. swobe
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Reguillon for sure

  11. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I bottled out of getting Lascelles last week after people laughed at me, and same this week.

    CS assured!

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And I got Lewis!

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You played him?

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes. Finally ended up with just 2 playing defenders last week - Stones and Taylor. Rudiger and Lewis got benched. Struijk got injured. And the worst part is I had plans to get Dawson the whole week. Changed it to Lewis last minute to save some cash for future transfers.

          1. TheBiffas
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            lewis over veltman? madness

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Not really

              Brighton have good stats but condede. A third of Veltman's attacking stats in the last half a season come from one match

              1. TheBiffas
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                you rate newcastle over brighton?

                1. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  I don't particularly rate either defence tbh - not enough to want to own them.

                  Newcastle can defend on their day and have much more dog in them than Brighton who specialise in giving up leads sadly.

                  With FH I might get a Brighton defender in 29 but that's it I think.

            2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Veltman had Leicester. Lewis had West Brom. And we know how they ended!

  12. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Trying to stay awake...!

    A) Sterling Salah to Bale Son/auba -4, 8 players
    B) Free hit

    Areola
    Veltman Coufal
    Raph
    Antonio Kane

  13. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Speaking as a Newc fan, we are absolutely toothless without Wilson. And pretty toothless with him. Such a depressing season.

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think your problem is that you don't have someone to create chances.Until gw14 you had 5 wins,3 draws and 6 defeats.

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly. Saint-Maximan is our most dynamic threat on this front but we need more.

  14. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FH29 team. Does it look ok?

    Sanchez
    Reguilon Dunk Cresswell
    Auba Son Raphinha Saka
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    Areola Lingard Dallas Lascelles

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d want Bale but looks good. Out of interest, what team would you have / how many would you have without FH?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I will see how Son and Bale look vs Arsenal. Right now I can get this with a hit:

        Martinez
        Konsa Reguilon Struijk* Lewis*
        Bale Raphinha
        Kane Bamford

  15. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nervous second half as a Martinez and Elmo owner!

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Targett and Marti here. Against any other team I would be more worried but Newcastle are poor.

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ElMo 3rd sub, goal incoming

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I mean scoring one

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Would love it! Think he scored at St James last season

  16. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FH the play this week, yeh?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How many you got playing?

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        5

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not necessarily. If you can get by this week with 8-9 players, FH GW 33 could be more effective.

      Better fixtures and a better pool of ayers to choose from GW 33.

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        i have WC

  17. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    There are some real beauts in this list. The Leicester one I'd never have remembered.

    https://www.planetfootball.com/quizzes/can-name-20-expensive-strikers-premier-league-history/

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The fact that Joelinton cost 2m more than Aguero is just shambolic

  18. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which 2 players would you bring in for 29

    Areola

    Coufal

    Soucek - Son - Bale - Raphinha

    Kane - Bamford

  19. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rate my team showed me to play JWP and put traore on 1st bench spot

    If only I listened sigh

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      am staring to suspect that DCL, Bamford and Watkins don't put themselves in their flp.

  20. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Targett almost got an assist there

  21. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This is my draft FH squad, plenty of bench cover and £3M left over. Anyone missing?

    Sanchez | Martinez
    Cresswell | Dallas | Dunk | Tierney | Targett
    Son | Bale | Auba | Raphinha | Saka
    Kane | Bamford | Antonio

  22. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This match is depressing to say the least

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lacking in any quality unfortunately

  23. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone persisting with Watkins after tonight?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      season keeper for me.

      1. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes maybe he should be a goalkeeper

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well he does stop a lot of goalscoring opportunities

    2. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, gone after gw 29

    3. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      he's gone after their DGW in hopefully 30. Otherwise i'll likely just get rid and screw whenever the DGW is.

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. Stealing a living.

  24. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins = Donkey

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Donkeys everywhere absolutely outraged.

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can't believe I've had him for so long

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    C'mon Watkins wtf was that?

  26. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    these watkins troll posts are hilarious

  27. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure who that number 11 is up front for Villa but they need to bring Watkins on for him, he looks awful

  28. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why does it feel like this game will finish 1-0 to Newcastle

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0-0

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would take that Fudge

  29. Fantasydreamer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I captained Watkins...

  30. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What did Barkley do to Dean Smith that he can't get a game of the bench?