Dugout Discussion
19 April 2025 541 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Villa Park this evening hosts a potentially pivotal match in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification places.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United gets underway at 17:30 BST.

The Villans’ head coach Unai Emery has made four changes to the side that came up narrowly short against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

Marco Asensio, Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen and Tyrone Mings all come back into the line-up.

Amadou Onana, Marcus Rashford, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres drop out.

For the seventh competitive game in succession, Newcastle United field an unchanged side.

LINE-UPS


Aston Villa: 
Martínez, Cash, Mings, Konsa, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers, Asensio, McGinn, Watkins

Subs: Disasi, Barkley, Rashford, Digne, García, Malen, Onana, Olsen, Ramsey.

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento, Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Barnes.

Subs: Dúbravka, Targett, Krafth, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, Wilson, Gordon, Osula.

CHECK YOUR LIVE FPL RANK

If you haven’t seen it already, the beta version of our new Premium Members Area gives you a customised dashboard detailing your latest points and where you rank in the world.

You can find it via this link and you only have to type in your FPL ID number (so no password/email) to see the visuals.


541 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Free hit active. Nice dopamine hit to offset the late Areola clean sheet wipeout!

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      What you gone with, so far?

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        First quick draft has me loaded up on Newcastle, Wolves, Fulham, Liverpool. Should be some fun differentials!

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I had Salah, Diaz. Not sure to start an LFC defender/goalie v Spuds

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Those are the two I have at the moment. Don’t think I’ll go for a defender

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Same here. Are you on triple Fulham, Wolves and Newcastle?

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yes, with a few Liverpool and Chelsea too. Hopefully a chance to pick some differentials (Sessegnon, Reece James?!) and make up ground

  2. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Asensio redemption time

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Season after season after season after season after season single gameweek players outscore double gameweek players.

    How many times is this going to happen before we learn? 😥

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Part of the reason I kept Bruno this week instead of going to KDB

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Think he will score similar to Mbeumo

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Season after season after season of hindsight whining.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Why wasn't Mbeumo in the scout picks? That might have swayed it for me.

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          This, again?

          Mods. Please just delete the melodrama, before he gets his knickers in a twist 😀

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            They're extra frilly and made of silk ..... And they are already in a twist.

        2. Admiral Benson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Why didn’t you pick Mbeumo? Seasoned player like yourself?

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            As a paying member, I thought it would be more prudent to listen to what the scout advised.

      2. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        He’s right though, the past 4 seasons now the ‘popular’ SGW have all outscored DGW players

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Only exception last season was Mateta in all the DGWs

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          And yet we keep getting seduced by the 2 fixtures on the little player icons.

    3. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Free-hit 34 last season says otherwise

      What would be better for many to learn is that there’s so much in this game that isn’t in our hands

    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      no chips FPL ftw, just 1 wc

    5. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Mbeumo so far but
      Salah could outscore him tomorrow .

    6. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Got Mbumebo (kluivert Hujsen on the bench) bought in Bowen and VVD as i dont have a FH and will WC 34.

      Still got AM on Glasner though lol.

      I have never seen two softer two yellows in my life, and he gave SCott a final change and then was subbe Awful game, Ref had £20 on Bournemouth away win (same ref who disallowed Eze direct FK against Brentford) on the first game of the season.

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        WC35

    7. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Still got another game to go yet!

    8. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Stop saying 'we'. This is about 'you'

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        We're a community on here.

  4. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    That Areola clean sheet wipeout is filth

    Horrible horrible horrible

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      #70minscleansheetreward202526

      When do we want it? Now!

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Season I'm having, you just have to laugh at this point.

    3. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yup, my season in a nutshell

    4. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Of all the painful, frustrating things this ridiculous game dishes out, last minute pointless goals to wipe out clean sheets has to top the lot

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        That’s why we need the new 70 minute rule in play asap!

        1. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Nah it’s fine the way it is, just extremely unfortunate

    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Shocker: goalie for 16th place, -18 GD team, concedes 😛

  5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Need big points from Martinez, Watkins, Isak & Rashford off the bench

  6. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins G

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Tilly A

    2. Pornchef
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Offside please

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Unlucky

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Areola CS wipeout, Wan Bissaka no-show, Trashford benched. My BB every season should be included in school curriculums to help teach kids what bad luck means.

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      GK & def for a poor team. One of whom was an injury doubt. A player you refer to as 'Trashford'.
      Is this 'bad luck', really?

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Everything alright at home, Andy mate?

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yeah. There's just some weirdo stalking me online though.

          1. The Philosopher
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Is it really stalking if you've put it up for public display though? 😉

            1. DARE TO BISCAN
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 1 month ago

              Pretty creepy, you felt the need to look it up and mention it. Yeah.

      2. Thicksolidtight
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I like you

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Thanks. You smell nice 🙂

  8. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Only had three real differentials this gw

    Areola done

    Asensio debacle next

    Arteta hangover tomorrow

  9. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Jammy af

  10. Paganoi
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Wow! What a start.

  11. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Isak to Watkins was indeed the move… drat!

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Isak probably scores as well

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        He’s bound to because on my bench with a forgotten boost!

  12. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Phew, Pope and Burns on a forgotten to activate BB

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Which team?

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        2nd, I activated on my main one but pretty meh so far with just Gvardiol returning

  13. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Trashford robbed. Classic FPL.

  14. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Newcastle cleanies on BB wiped out now that's what we LOVE to see

  15. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Yes Ollie Watkins!

  16. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Made transfers for BB and forgot to play it.

    Martinez Burn Barnes Konate

  17. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Meh. The BB is useless. Hoping for some Newcastle attacking returns...

  18. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins forces Pope save

  19. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins seems really annoyed by those benchings.lol

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Big miss there, should have had 2

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Benched for Rashford next game now lol

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Almost like he knows he's a better CF than Rashford

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Absolutely. Not even close but hey Rashford made an assist the other day

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yea, motivated, a no brainer on FH.

  20. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins off the bar, looks on it

  21. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    To think i was thinking of going Rashford on this double. Bullet dodged.

  22. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Why doesn’t Emery put Rogers and Rashford on wings with Watkins up top.

    Rashford cooked at United on left wing

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Rogers and McGinn more physical, able to step back into midfield to avoid being overpowered by Newcastle's mids

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Fair

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Rashy doesn't track back. Probably went on loan with an agreement to get played as CF (maybe, IDK, just a guess)

  23. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Wally down

  24. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Right, so I’m needing to wildcard next GW, but also have my bench boost available to play.

    What would be the best strategy to have an effective BB?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      BB36

  25. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins, Rogers & Asensio down

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Back up

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Ressurected

    2. DeSelby
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Burn tried to cripple Rogers. Not sure if advantage was played but that was a yellow, minimum.
      Burn is hilariously dirty. Like a cartoon villain (no pun intended).

  26. EWH2020
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Anyone else had enough of FPL? I think i have played consecutively for 18 seasons. I'd love to not to do anymore.

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      It would remove unnecessary stress. Free up quite a bit of spare time.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Difficult to give up. The game is cultivated to be an addiction. That's why Andy Martin enjoys playing it.

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    saliba got a red for less?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yep

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nope, the goalie had it covered

    3. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Different rules for Arsenal

  28. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Looks like doing Isak to Watkins would have been better than Murphy to Rashford.

  29. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    With Digne benched would like Newcastle to get a hatful

  30. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Schar G

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Barnes A