Scout Notes
1 November 2026 46 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) netted his fifth goal in as many Gameweeks as Aston Villa and Fulham played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Here are our Scout Notes from Villa Park.

FIVE IN FIVE FOR JACKSON

Jackson, who was bought by over 2.3m Fantasy managers in the lead-up to Gameweek 9’s deadline, was fit to start, then.

And to his 24.2% ownership’s joy, he netted his fifth goal in as many league matches, when he squirmed his way through the Fulham defence to slide the ball past Bernd Leno (£4.5m) in the first half.

Jackson was found by Johan Manzambi (£6.1m), who, once more playing off the left, supplied his third assist of the season.

Since Manzambi’s full debut in Gameweek 5, both he and Jackson have been two of the most in-form players in Fantasy Premier League (FPL)…

Above: Players sorted by FPL points in Gameweeks 5-9

That said, Emery hooked Manzambi after 65 minutes against Fulham – likely with Tuesday’s trip to Barcelona in mind – meaning the midfielder is averaging only 71.4 minutes per start in that period.

Still, he is certainly delivering when on the pitch, with Manchester United, who are still without a clean sheet this season, up next in Gameweek 10.

EMERY ON MCGINN’S PEN MISS

Prior to Jackson’s opener, John McGinn (£5.4m) missed a penalty for the Villans.  

Playing in a No 10 role, the Scottish international hit the bar from 12 yards, notably with neither Emiliano Buendia (£5.9m) or Ross Barkley (5.0m) on the pitch.

Asked why the in-form Jackson didn’t step up to take the spot kick, Emery said…

“We have our analysis about penalty shooters, and it was McGinn who was the taker today. We are clear about which players are selected to take penalties.” – Unai Emery, via the Birmingham Mail

McGinn, who created a match-high four chances, took the penalty after Sander Berge (£4.9m) handled Leon Goretzka’s (£5.9m) header.

However, even after Jackson put Villa ahead, the hosts were poor, particularly in the second half, when Fulham were the superior team.

CASH BAN

Matty Cash (£4.3m) will be suspended for the trip to Man Utd in Gameweek 10, having picked up his fifth booking of the season on Saturday.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) could return from injury and fill in.

“Maybe Wan-Bissaka is coming back next week. I am not thinking about it. First, we have a match on Tuesday against Barcelona. Then, we have five days until Sunday to prepare and identify how we can replace Wan-Bissaka if he is not available.” – Unai Emery, via the Birmingham Mail

FULHAM IMPRESS, ROBINSON SUPERB

Fulham were very good for large parts of this encounter, and probably deserved more.

Indeed, the visitors produced 2.33 expected goals (xG) to Aston Villa’s 1.83, with Zion Suzuki (£5.0m) denying Gonzalo Garcia (£6.0m), the lively Oscar Bobb (£5.5m) and Alex Iwobi (£5.4m).

Iwobi did however claim the assist for Fulham’s equaliser when Suzuki fumbled his corner over the line.

Much the better team in the second half, Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) was arguably Fulham’s best player, with his runs in behind Cash causing real problems.

“When you believe in your players, you have to give them the chance to play and to show how good they are. Jedi’ was fantastic tonight. He did really, really well. He has the experience, he has the quality, and it’s very important for us, and I’m so happy for his performance tonight.” – Alvaro Arbeloa on Antonee Robinson, via West London Sport

After Saturday’s display, Fulham do appear to be finding their feet under Arbeloa, with only one defeat in six matches.

In that period, they’ve conceded just four goals and rank sixth for expected goals conceded (xGC).

“I think we are deciding when to press better and when we want to be aggressive. We are controlling the transition, and we are much better organised when we have the ball. It’s important for us because we are a team that want to play in the opposite half with the ball creating chances, but you know in the Premier League how quick the other attacking players are and you need to control the transitions, second balls. I think we are growing, and improving as a team every week and this is the way.” – Alvaro Arbeloa

Meanwhile, David Affengruber (£4.5m), as well as Robinson, banked defensive contribution (DefCon) points for the fourth time in six matches.

Affengruber also racked up three shots at Villa Park, all headers from set plays.


46 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Slitherene
    58 mins ago

    Which transfer to prioritise?

    MGW to Gross

    Or

    Hall to Cuyper

    Have a good bench, so 5 YC ban doesn't matter much.

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      46 mins ago

      2nd option.

    2. Brosstan
      37 mins ago

      B

  2. Babit1967
    57 mins ago

    Suppose Neco Williams to Konsa is a no brainer ?

  3. Snoopydog
    48 mins ago

    Bye, bye Gvardiol, hello (again) Konsa. Should never have sold you. Done.

    1. x.jim.x
      12 mins ago

      Not like there’s a load of midweek games or anything

      1. Snoopydog
        just now

        Live dangerously

  4. GoonerByron
    47 mins ago

    Made the mistake of going against Arsenal defence on WC for this fixture. Have Konsa, but benched him and started Cash. Now tempted to get a second Arsenal defender straight in. What would you do here?

    A) Keep Cash (On bench)
    B) Cash -> Timber
    C) Cash -> Calafiori
    D) Cash -> De Cupyer

    Can't afford Gab.

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      just now

      C

  5. have you seen cyan
    43 mins ago

    Is Saliba even getting back in this PL team?

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 mins ago

      Is Mitoma really going to be a starter when de Cuyper is better than him?

      1. have you seen cyan
        9 mins ago

        Maybe not.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 mins ago

      Konsa RB perhaps

  6. Royal5
    42 mins ago

    What are Cherki owners doing with him?

    1. Snoopydog
      just now

      Have him on the bench for next GW currently. If he doesn't play midweek may start him but been burnt twice. Likely offload after IB, maybe for Palmer or Isak. Too much cash!

  7. Tinmen
    41 mins ago

    Timber or De Cuyper folks. Who’s the better pick ?

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      14 mins ago

      De Cuyper while he's still out of position.

    2. Snoopydog
      1 min ago

      De Cuyper. Been a mainstay from the start. Until he's dropped - or more likely no longer oop - not going to swap him for anyone.

  8. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    39 mins ago

    "Emery hooked Manzambi after 65 minutes against Fulham – likely with Tuesday’s trip to Barcelona in mind."

    Did Emery sub him shortly after Fulham equalised?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      28 mins ago

      *Didn't

  9. #1 Arne Engels Fan
    36 mins ago

    Interesting to hear Glasner saying he'll be "changing things" from now on at Forest

    will he be switching from playing 7 at the back to 8 instead? or passing the ball around the defensive line for 90 minutes from now on instead of just 88?

  10. DagheMunegu
    34 mins ago

    Best Schade replacement up to 7.4 ?
    (Not Gross)

    1. Tavernier

      1. Manzambi

    2. #1 Arne Engels Fan
      11 mins ago

      Kudus

      then use the extra 1m to buy a time machine and get him in last week

    3. Royal5
      10 mins ago

      Rogers

      1. DagheMunegu
        5 mins ago

        Have him already

    4. have you seen cyan
      10 mins ago

      Tav. Thats what I did yesterday.

  11. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    31 mins ago

    Which move to make?
    A. DCL > Isak
    B. Hall > Gabriel (alongside Konsa + Calafiori)
    C. Roll

  12. banskt
    30 mins ago

    I sold Calafiori, Konsa, De Cuyper, and Palmer in my WC9. Rant over, on to the next.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      19 mins ago

      Ouch

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      18 mins ago

      If it’s helps I benched Konsa and Verbruggen

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      18 mins ago

      Ha, I sold Konsa (10), benched Calafiori (8) and started Gabriel (6). Oops!

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      7 mins ago

      but why....

  13. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    29 mins ago

    Tempted by this

    Gvardiol MGW DCL to Silva 5.5m Isak

    5.5m mid would be benched

    Thoughts?

  14. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    26 mins ago

    Folks buying up Manzambi before the Barcelona fixture.

    Slow down FFS.

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 mins ago

      I'm looking to sell!

  15. Henning
    21 mins ago

    Mbuemo to Tavernier for free ?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      just now

      not sure about tav. but sell mbeumo for sure

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    19 mins ago

    A Kinsky to Raya (own Konsa and cala)
    Or
    B Davis to tark

    Playing BB and b would mean
    Konsa Cala tark muha de Cuyper

    Maybe bit too much ?

    Would really appreciate some help 🙂

  17. Best option here folks???

    A- Muhremovic
    Or
    B- Van Hecke

    Cheers everyone!!

  18. Deulofail
    9 mins ago

    Good to go? Not sure about bench and captains. Could BB, but there are some other good weeks for that coming up

    Trafford
    Gabriel (C)alafiori Konsa
    Rogers Kroupi Ta(v)ernier Gross
    Isak Jackson Evanilson

    Kinsky(lee) | Vuskovic, Hinshelwood (BRE), Muharemovic (TOT)

    1. Deulofail
      6 mins ago

      3FTs. 7.0 ITB

    2. ==rvn10==
      just now

      Don't bother with the bb. Very strong eleven this week as well!

  19. Konsa and De Cuyper will stay on bench thanks to Cherki and Munoz 1 and 0 pointer.

  20. Barnaby Wilde
    4 mins ago

    When Kroupi.Jr is fully fit and ready to start games, what will be the first choice Bournemouth attack?