Scout Notes

Grealish overtakes McGinn’s FPL score in more advanced role

Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton

Goals: Jack Grealish (£5.9m), Matt Targett (£4.4m) | Adam Webster (£4.4m)

Assists: Frédéric Guilbert (£4.4m), Grealish | Pascal Groß (£6.4m)

Bonus Points: Grealish x3, Targett x2, Groß x1

Jack Grealish (£5.9m) continues to flourish in his new advanced role at Aston Villa.

After spending the first six matches of the season in the central midfield trio from which he operated in the Championship, the last three Gameweeks have seen Villa’s captain deployed in the front-three.

He has predominantly operated on the left of this forward line but against Brighton he swapped to the right on occasion and was perfectly placed in a central position inside the six-yard box to open the scoring in Gameweek 9.

During his last three games in this new role, Grealish now has two goals and an assist, having collected just two assists before that.

He was involved in both goals as Villa saw off a 10-man Brighton side on Saturday, for a 13-point haul, also consisting of maximum bonus.

Grealish is now the joint-top FPL points scorer in Villa’s squad this season

It means Grealish has averaged 6.7 points per game since joining the front-line in Dean Smith’s 4-3-3 formation.

“The things he does are standing out more because of the quality of the teams we are up against in the Premier League. The quality of the player is there for all to see. He’s one of our top distance-coverers but also one of our top high-speed runners as well. So he’s getting there but he wants to get better. People thought that maybe [the captaincy] would be a burden for him, being a Villa fan but from what I’ve seen he likes the responsibility and he thrives on it as well. He said to me that I haven’t seen the best of him yet.” – Dean Smith

During the time that Grealish has been operating in his new role, John McGinn (£5.9m), now the same price as his English colleague, has just one attacking return and a Gameweek average score of 3.7 points.

The Scottish international does not necessarily appear to be playing in a deeper position within Villa’s central midfield trio, but it seems clear that Grealish is increasingly offering a potentially more reliable alternative into his side’s attack, especially with set pieces also to his name.

It must be said that McGinn owners can feel a little frustrated that he did not come away with an assist from Gameweek 9.

It was his pass that set up Conor Hourihane (£5.7m) to sweep home in the first half but the goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Wesley (£6.1m) climbed on Mat Ryan (£4.7m) in the build-up.

McGinn will feel that he should have had an assist for Hourihane’s disallowed goal on Saturday

Also keeping his place on the Fantasy radar is right-back Frédéric Guilbert (£4.4m), who provided the assist for Grealish’s goal.

It was the Frenchman’s second of the season and was the fourth consecutive home match in which he scored four points or more.

Against Everton and West Ham, he scored six points for keeping a clean sheet and it’s now two assists in as many league matches at Villa Park.

With Wesley taken off through injury in the second half, there was another substitute appearance for Keinan Davis (£4.4m) in a striker’s role.

Listed as a budget midfield in FPL, he is yet to start a Premier League match this season but could step into the side if Wesley is considered too much of a risk for Gameweek 10.

Guilbert has been a reliable source of points in home matches for Villa recently

That said, amid the encouraging-looking options available at Villa, it is worth saying that their fixtures over the short and medium-term are not exactly inviting.

It’s a trip to Manchester City up next before Liverpool come to Villa Park in Gameweek 11.

After Wolves (away) and Newcastle (home), Smith’s men must travel to Manchester United (Gameweek 14) and Chelsea (Gameweek 15).

While there may be potential for a smattering of attacking returns over that difficult period, Villa defensive assets may struggle between now and Gameweek 15.

Smith’s men are now without a clean sheet since Gameweek 5 and displayed some poor defending against Brighton.

Mings came in for some criticism for his role in Brighton’s opening goal

Adam Webster (£4.4m) found it way too easy to avoid Tyrone Mings (£4.6m), who had left him unmarked to nod Pascal Groß‘s (£6.4m) first-half free-kick.

Brighton struggled to offer much quality going forward outside of that as they were left with just 10 men in the 34th minute.

Aaron Mooy (£4.8m), who had already been booked moments before was foolish enough to dive in on an onrushing Grealish, catching him and picking up a second yellow card.

“I’m really annoyed with myself and sorry as I feel I’ve let my teammates and the fans down. The first yellow was just an instinct. The ball wasn’t where the foul took place and I rolled it back to the position of the foul. For the second, I genuinely felt I could make the tackle, realised I couldn’t and tried to pull out, but it was too late.” – Aaron Mooy

Mooy displayed some reckless tackling in the first half at Villa Park

However, both Manchester City and Liverpool will offer much more to contend with over the next two Gameweeks.

Those left frustrated by Sergio Aguero (£12.2m), Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£10.1m) in recent weeks might take some encouragement from Matt Targett’s (£4.4m) post-match comments on Saturday…

“We will go there and try and beat them. It has been done before, by Wolves, so that gives us confidence. We will go there and take them on, the manager has already said that.” – Matt Targett

While Villa do potentially possess the weapons to do some damage at the Etihad Stadium, an open game is exactly what backers of City attacking assets will want to perhaps ease a recent spate of captain blanks.

It is hard to assess just what state Brighton’s attack is in after being forced into playing so much of Gameweek 9 with a man disadvantage.

Connolly played for just 45 minutes in Gameweek 9 as Potter was forced into making changes to readjust the balance of his Brighton side

Graham Potter had lined up his troops in a 4-4-2 formation, Aaron Connolly (£4.5m) and Neal Maupay (£6.0m) leading the, with Mooy (left) and Groß (right) providing the width from midfield.

The Brighton manager waited until half-time to respond to the sending off, bringing versatile wide-man Solly March (£4.9m) on for Connolly to go to a 4-4-1 formation.

It will be interesting to see where Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) fits back into the equation in Gameweek 10 as he returned to the Brighton squad at Villa Park.

He has been absent since Gameweek 4 but was an unused substitute on Saturday. Capable of playing in a front-three or on the flanks, he was an incredibly bright spark in three of the opening four matches of 2019/20.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Heaton; Targett, Mings, Engels, Guilbert; Hourihane (Trézéguet 63′), Nakamba, McGinn; Grealish, Wesley (Davis 76′), El Ghazi (Do Luiz 76′).

Brighton and Hove Albion (4-4-2): Ryan; Burn, Dunk, Webster, Montoya (Duffy 70′); Mooy, D Stephens, Pröpper, Groß; Maupay (Alzate 81′), Connolly (March 46′).

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1,041 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    McGinn - Dilva for free Y/N?

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I like it

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      * got KDB and Kun also

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Y for next 2

  2. Whats the Huth
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    What to do. Only 37 points this week. Lundstram and Rico was benched 🙁

    Pope
    Söyüncü. TAA. Lundstram.
    Mane. Sterling. KDB. Maddison. Mount.
    Vardy. Abraham.

    McGovern. Tomori. Rico. Connolly.

    0.0 ITB 1FT

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Save

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      keep gtg

    3. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      "Only" 37 points

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Count yourself lucky, I got 28 pts and dropped 100k in rank!!

  3. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Which 3 of these 5 do i play this gw? Hard to choose...

    A) VVD
    B) Rico
    C) Soy
    D) Lund
    E) Otamendi

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      A
      C
      E

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Ace

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        what he said^

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      ACD

      Doubt Ota will feature.

      1. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Lund not a bad first sub then. That's my plan in case Ota is out.

  4. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram
    Sterling Mane KdB Mount
    Tammy Vardy Barnes

    Button Cantwell lowton Rico

    A Barnes to Wood
    B Save?

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      As soon as you swap Barnes for Wood. Barnes will haul.

      That’s the way it’s ll going this season.

      I’d hold

  5. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Selling VVD, Son & Pukki for -8. Madness?

    Don't see any reason to keep any of those 3.
    Because of VVD I haven't been able to start the highest scoring defender in the game even once and I've owned him since GW1.
    Don't have to justify selling Son & Pukki I think.

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Depends who comes in

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Mane, Maupay (2 game punt against EVE & NOR) and Rico.

        Could get a defender upto 5.1m but already have TAA, Ota, Tomori and Lundstram so think I'm well covered there.

  6. CostaCoffee
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    2fts, what would you do this this? Son, Ota and Pukki probably all need to go soon

    Pope Button
    Söyüncü Tomori Ota Digne Rico
    Hudson-Odoi Son Sterling KdB Hayden
    Pukki Abraham Auba

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Maybe try and upgrade Son to Mane?
      That's what I'm looking to do.

  7. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    I'm surprised the average was as high as 37!

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      casuals

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Glanced at minileague opponent's team who thrashed me this week. He hasn't made a transfer all season, and has three Everton players, Including the perfectly reasonable pre-season picks of Siggy and Pickford. Fair enough! This season I reckon most of us would have about the same score if we hadn't made any transfers - I think there was an article looking at that a few weeks back, and reckon even more likely now.

  8. TopwithKlopp
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    My team is struggling a bit.. Any advice appreciated.

    Gazzaniga
    Robertson, Digne, Dunk (Soyuncu,Lundstram)
    De Bruyne, Sterling, Mount, Salah (Saka)
    Maupay, Pukki, Abraham

    Looks OK for this week with OK fixtures, maybe wait until next weeks to make any changes, but would like to get in Vardy.. Then Salah, Sterling or De Bruyne need to go to fund the extra cash.

    Would you take Vardy inn and let one of the premium midfielders go?

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Not sure about keeping both Salah and Sterling. Would not lose KDB for sure.
      Can you downgrade Digne and Salah ----> Mane and someone cheaper? Then go Pukki to Vardy?

      1. TopwithKlopp
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Possibly, have to check a bit.. Don'r really want to get rid of Salah, thinking Sterling instead.. Thanks

  9. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Got a question guys

    Have to pick 1 but cant decide: Salah or Sterling. (Got KDB)

    Also what to do with Otamendi.

    1. TH
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Salah

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Mo Salah

  10. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Starting to get tempted by Wilson > Martial via Cantwell > Connolly

    I’m a sucker for a Martial this season, just can’t resist that price tag & positioning classification for a Man Utd #9, even if they are a circus of late

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I think I'd wait for a couple of gameweeks as we have 4 away games in the next 11-12 days.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Yeah not planning any moves for this week, unless champs lge or europa injuries - gives a chance to see him starting this weekend too & also gives Wilson another game

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'm seriously looking at it. Their best threat by miles

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Why did Connolly only get 45 mins by the way - presume he just had a tricky half?

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Brighton had a red card, so Potter reshuffled at half time. Connolly was sacrificed to switch to 4-4-1

      2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        There was a red card no?

  11. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Anyone else starting Lundstram for rest of season baring injuries, regardless of the fixture ?

    ve already benched a goal and 2 cs from him . Sheffeild united can hold their own against any team and almost hold out liverpool attack unless for a blunder by henderson.

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'm definitely finding way to start him more often.
      Owned him since GW1 not started him once because I spent so much defence. Rectifying that this week.

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 days ago

      Definitely Arsenal game made the final impact. Really tight defense and needed attack potential. I see him now as Cantwell with cs potential and lately more attack potential as well. Definitely trying to start more.

  12. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Pope
    Ota TAA Digne Soy
    Sterling Salah KDB Mount
    Abraham Pukki
    (4.0 Rico Dendoncker Greenwood)

    0.3ITB & 1FT

    a) Pukki > Jimenez
    b) Pukki > Connolly (creates funds to bring in CHO for Dendoncker next week and play 5 in midfield)
    c) Dendoncker & Pukki > CHO & Connolly (-4)

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I like Pukki to Jimenez. Good form and fixtures.

  13. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    A) Role transfer?
    B) Upgrade squad by doing Salah & Greenwood to Vardy & Martial?

    Pope
    Tomori, Otamendi, TAA, Soy
    Mount, Salah, KDB, Sterling
    Tammy, Wilson

    Bench: Lund, McGinn, Greenwood

  14. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Should I save FT?

    Pope
    Taa Ota Lunds dunk
    Salah mount Kdb sterling
    Vardy Tammy

    Soy cantwell

  15. TH
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Best replacement for Yarmolenko?

    Have £8.8M to spend

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Dilva on form, but still concerns about rotation - wait to see City's line-up tonight.

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Maddison

    3. HAMMERTIME107
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      If you can deal with David Silva's minutes being managed and his inconsistency then him.

    4. Planet_Marss
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      cho?

    5. TH
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      thanks all

    6. Riders of Yohan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      CHO and spend elsewhere

    7. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Mahrez

    8. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      how come replacing out of interest?

  16. HAMMERTIME107
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    44 Points this week which I didn't think was too bad considering.

    Team now for the next Gameweek with £0.6 in the bank. Any suggestions please?

    Roberto
    Tomori | Soyuncu | Rico
    Mount | Salah | McNeil | Sterling
    Vardy | Aubameyang | Wilson

    Button | Guendouzi | Kelly | Prodl

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Bring in Cho?

      1. HAMMERTIME107
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Even with mount?

  17. Riders of Yohan
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Any early thoughts? Ota or Alonso out?

    2FT 0.1ITB

    Pope
    TAA, Ota, Alonso, Lund
    Salah, Sterling, kdb, Mount
    Abraham, Wilson

    Button. Cantwell, Greenwood, Kelly

    Looking to bring in Leicester

  18. Miguel Sanchez
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    GTG here? Play Lundstram?

    Pope
    TAA Pereira Boly
    Mané KDB Mount CHO
    Aguero (c) Wilson Abraham

    McGovern Lundstram Rico Dendocker 0.2 ITB 1FT

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Lol are you kidding me. Why bench the top scoring defender in fpl?

      1. HurriKane
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Starting him over Boly is no brainer. You dont have to bench him Just because he is 4.6m doesnt mean

        OOP defender with 1 goal 1 assist and 4 cs. Should be one of your main starting defenders for rest of season

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      G2g. Probably play boly over lund, but what do I know. I capped kane and benched lund 🙂

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Those who brought in Tierney are probably annoyed. Really want to get him in but Emery is worse than Pep with his team selections!

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      id avoid arsenal defence.

      better invest in chelsea leiceser wolves or even man united defence

    2. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      With him and Bellerin in the side, the midfield could tighten up and Arsenal might look a bit more cohesive.

      I got Tierney in knowing it was a punt, but I had confidence in my bench this week 😉

  20. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Can't get rid of Pukki without selling one of Kün , Salah whta to do leave him this round and see what to later ?

  21. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Currently have
    Kane Pukki and King up top.
    Thinking of getting rid of Kane and king with my 2 fts this week. Gives me 17.7m. Best 2 strikers to bring in to replace them ??
    Mids are
    Sterling Salah Mount McNeil Dendonker..

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Vardy and JImenez no brainer 😉

  22. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Play Lund or Soy?

    1. HurriKane
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Lundy. He\s top scoring fpl defender this season ffs

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Lundstram!

  23. Max City
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Heaton Pope
    TAA Ota Coleman Kelly Rico
    Salah Mahrez Dilva Mount Cantwell
    Abraham Pukki Wilson

    2FT
    3.1 itb

    I would be happy to save, but have to spend the FT.
    Which transfer should I do?

  24. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    I am one of 0.4% that have O'Connell and his 11 points! Unfortunately they're stuck third on my bench

  25. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Took a -8 last night. Lol.

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Whyyyy :O

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Frustration , boredom. A change up.

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      what moves?!

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Hanley,Salah,Aubamayang >> TAA,KDB,Vardy

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Mine was Saturday night

      Right after my wildcard

      At least my players weren't injured after... Fun times 🙂

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I took a -4.

      Blankwell to David Silva and feel damn good about it.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        That’s a sweet move

  26. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Been busy all weekend and only just looked at teams score properly. What a random game it is this season! Had the tripleA attack of Aguero, Abraham and Abraham (Capt) the top three point scoring strikers for 0+2+4 points. Other premium type picks of Mane 2pts, Son 1pt, TAA 2pts, Ota 0pts. Thank goodness for CHO Tomori and Rico and Lundstram off the bench. Need to be able to see into the future or give it far more analysis than I can or be jammy to pile on the points! Future thoughts for what it's worth Doherty Martial and Tielemans to be the next must-haves in the next few weeks!

  27. HAMMERTIME107
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    How's this look please? Any suggestions?

    Roberto
    Tomori | Soyuncu | Rico
    Mount | Salah | James | Sterling
    Vardy | Aubameyang | Wilson

    Button | Guendouzi | Kelly | Prodl

  28. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Cancelo or Tierney?

    Guess both will be a rotation risk but leaning towards Cancelo as I think he might just get the nod ahead of Walker.

    Cancelo looked damn frightning over the weekend. Goal threat...

  29. Differential C (Mark)
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    What Rodgers said: "He did really well to put himself out there for us. He’s hardly trained this week at all. He’s obviously had the situation with England where he was ill and whatnot. Alongside that, his ankle was still sore.

    "He could easily have not played today, but he wanted to get out and try it. We felt that if he could give us an hour to 65 minutes, he’d have done really well.

    "He put himself about, he always wants the ball, he’s a courageous young player. He gave his best and then we had Dennis [Praet] who could come in and take over. He showed courage to go out there and play and he’ll gain more fitness next week and be better.”

    So my interpretation of this is that Maddison is alright?

  30. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on Auba Yarm and Otta to Jimi Mane and Kelly for a -8?!!!

    Pope
    TAA Otta Lunds
    Sterling KDB Mount Yarmolenko Cantwell
    Auba Tammy Vardy

    1. Max City
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'm not sure with taking a hit