Our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team previews for the 2025/26 season continue with Aston Villa.
In these guides, we will discuss the best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign. We’ll also attempt to predict the line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, detail the top players for defensive contributions (DC) and more.
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ASTON VILLA: REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
UCL BLOW – A BLESSING IN DISGUISE? / FORTRESS VILLA PARK
Aston Villa’s failure to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League should, in theory, lead to a fresher first XI.
Of course, midweek matches in the UEFA Europa League still have to be factored in, but Unai Emery will have an opportunity to implement more rotation in this tournament, particularly during the League phase, which runs from September 24 to January 29.
Six of the eight matches that follow a European fixture will be played at home, too, where Villa are unbeaten in 18 Premier League games:
Above: Aston Villa’s Premier League home and away results in 2024/25, via StatsBomb
DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Additionally, Emery made Villa much harder to beat towards the end of last season, recording six clean sheets in their final 10 matches. Their expected goals conceded (xGC) visibly dropped, too.
If they can take some of that newfound defensive resolve into the new campaign, it should serve them well.
Above: Aston Villa’s rolling six-match xGC average in 2024/25
ASTON VILLA: REASONS TO BE FEARFUL
SLOW TRANSFER WINDOW
A lack of new faces is a bit of a concern, particularly with Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi no longer around.
The depth in attack looks especially thin, while right-back has been a problem position for quite some time now. Indeed, Villa conceded 127 key passes from that flank last season, compared to just 99 on the left.
PSR issues have at least been eased by the reported sale of the women’s team, but fans will be eager to see some positive transfer activity in the coming weeks.
On a positive note, it seems that Villa are close to finalising a deal for Nice’s versatile attacker, Evann Guessand.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TRANSITIONS / MARTINEZ DIP
