Scout Notes

Son scores big haul despite missing penalty at Villa

Aston Villa 2-3 Spurs

  • Goals: Bjorn Engels (£4.4m) | Toby Alderweireld (£5.3m), Son Heung-min x2 (£10.0m)
  • Own Goals: Alderweireld
  • Assists: Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m), Jack Grealish (£6.7m) | Eric Dier (£4.8m), Davinson Sánchez (£5.3m)
  • Penalty saves: Pepe Reina (£4.5m)
  • Penalty misses: Son
  • Bonus Points: Son x3, Reina x2, Grealish x1

Son Heung-min (£10.0m) stepped up the case for his inclusion in Fantasy Premier League squads on Sunday afternoon as he scored 13 points in a 3-2 win at Aston Villa.

The South Korean has been a much-discussed alternative to Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) when Manchester City’s fixture schedule turns for the worse and, on current form, he could be a great option to turn to.

Between Gameweeks 27 and 32, Pep Guardiola’s men have at least one Blank Gameweek and face Leicester (away), Manchester United (away), Burnley (home), Chelsea (away) and Liverpool (home). Meanwhile, Son, who now has four attacking returns in as many matches, averaging 7.8 points per game in that time, has a slightly kinder run of Wolves (home), Burnley (away), Manchester United (home), West Ham (home) and Sheffield United (away).

Crucially, Son’s performance against Aston Villa showed his serious potential as a centre-forward since Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m) joined Spurs in the January transfer window. As expected, the South Korean was handed the centre-forward role again, with Bergwijn and Lucas Moura (£7.1m) supporting him either side. Helped also by Dele Alli (£8.4m) in the number 10 role, Son racked up a handful of chances at Villa Park and arguably should have scored more points than he did.

Pepe Reina (£4.5m) denied several fierce efforts on goal from Son, especially in the second 45 minutes, when Spurs were pushing on to find a winner. The Aston Villa goalkeeper, who made seven saves on Sunday afternoon, also reduced Son’s score by saving his poor penalty on the stroke of half-time, that was bundled in by the Spurs man nonetheless.

Son was also let down by some profligate finishing from Alli in the opening period. He played the England international through on goal in the 34th minute, who hooked it wide when he really should have scored.

However, we may have to temper the enthusiasm surrounding Son in light of Aston Villa’s ongoing defensive problems. Dean Smith’s men came into Gameweek 26 still bottom of the league for shots conceded in the box and, despite besting Spurs for possession on Sunday (53.7% to 46.3%), they still allowed the visitors to dominate the shot count (23 to 18).

Villa were, of course, not helped in their efforts by the untimely absence of Tyrone Mings (£4.5m), the former Bournemouth man missing Gameweek 26 after falling ill with tonsillitis on Saturday. It is not known when he will return but, if he is not back for the trip to Southampton in Gameweek 27, Danny Ings (£7.0m) owners will surely be licking their lips.

“It’s a blow because (Mings) is a big player for us and he has been all season. He’s adapted really well to the Premier League. But he was ill yesterday so we knew he’d be missing. I’ve got Bjorn Engels who’s recently been called up to the Belgium squad so we’ve got strength in depth in that area.” – Dean Smith

Mings replacement on the day in Bjorn Engels (£4.4m) had a mixed afternoon but was ultimately to blame for both of Son’s goals, Danny Drinkwater (£4.4m) also turning in a poor performance. While Villa, and Engels himself, did a good job of throwing bodies in the way to block Spurs’ efforts in the first half, it was Engels’ poorly timed challenge on Bergwijn that led to the penalty, awarded after a rare controversy-free Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Then, after scoring his first-ever Villa goal to make up for the first-half error and draw his side level, Engels handed the game to Spurs on a plate in second-half stoppage time. Davinson Sánchez (£5.3m) played a speculative ball over the top to Son, which should have been easy to clear, but Engels swung a tired boot at the pass, not getting enough purchase on it. That allowed the ball to run underneath the centre-back, straight to Son, who bore down on Reina and tucked the winner away.

“Listen, (Engels) is okay. He’s very disappointed because of the mistake of trying to bring the ball down as opposed to getting rid of it. If he puts it straight back it finishes 2-2. A big error, but they happen in games. He’ll get over it, that’s for sure.” – Dean Smith

Another defeat for Aston Villa should not put Fantasy managers off their attacking assets though, especially Jack Grealish (£6.7m). Smith’s men arguably deserved more from the game than they got as, for large spells, they dominated possession and asked questions of Spurs’ defence.

They found particular joy in the wide areas as Grealish asked questions of Serge Aurier (£5.0m), especially early on, picking up three fouls during the opening exchanges. In the 18th minute, Grealish stormed down the left flank and squared to Douglas Luiz (£4.4m), who should have scored and earned his captain an assist, but Ben Davies (£5.3m) flew in with an impressive block on his first outing since November.

Grealish, who pulled the strings all afternoon for Villa, eventually got a deserved assist in the 52nd minute when Engels headed home his corner. A six-point haul will certainly be enough to satisfy his 25.1% ownership and etch some regret onto the hearts of the 121,572 managers who sold him for Gameweek 26. However, those still in possession of Villa’s talismanic skipper still have to decide his role in their team over the next few weeks as, after the Southampton game, Grealish has a Blank Gameweek and faces Leicester (away) and Chelsea (home).

Also showing some consistency at home recently is Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m), who now has two attacking returns in his last three at Villa Park. The Dutchman enjoyed plenty of space behind the returning Davies on the right flank of Villa’s attack and got the assist for Toby Alderweireld‘s (£5.3m) own goal, as Spurs’ left-back did not significantly alter the destination of the cross with his deflection. El Ghazi also went close to scoring himself, unleashing a piledriving effort in the first-half, stinging the palms of Hugo Lloris (£5.3m) in the process.

“We looked on the front foot today. Certainly, we didn’t deserve to lose.” – Dean Smith

Aston Villa XI: Reina; Hause, Engels, Konsa; Targett, D Luiz, Drinkwater (Nakamba 59′), Guilbert; Grealish, Samatta (Baston 82′), El Ghazi (Trézéguet 69′).

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris; B Davies, D Sánchez, Alderweireld, Aurier; Dier (Lo Celso 59′), Winks; Bergwijn (Vertonghen 90+5′), Alli (G Fernandes 82′), Moura; Son.

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1,047 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on B1.
    Transfer in one:

    A) Ings
    B) Jimenez

    Sell one:

    1) Moura
    2) Deeney

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B1 sounds about right

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A2

    3. Chasing Waves
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A2

  2. some witty pun
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    DCL to
    A) Ings (Missed his price rise)
    B) Jiminez

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Get both. Jimi if only one.

  3. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning folks. Sidibe and Grealish to...

    A) VVD & Son
    B) Mane & Fernandes

    1. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish was really good yesterday

    2. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      But if you dare... VVD and Son

    3. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would not be getting rid of Grealish...

      but A if you have to, and on Friday.

  4. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    These moves look good?

    Kun+Fleck-> Jimenez+ Son

    Guaita
    TAA Robertson Egan
    Salah KDB Maddison Son
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    Button Stephens Hayden Kelly

    Gtg?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Looking good.

    2. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, but not today.

  5. farmerfat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    @Brighton fans ... anyone know why Montoya was not in the squad?

  6. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Maddy and Firmino to Son and Jimenez for -4?

    1. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would not get rid of Firm

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Great moves.. BUT you need to get double Pool defence in that scenario

  7. Heavy Data
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So, I'm 3rd in my ml. Teams are very similar at this point, really my only differential between me and them is aguero and abu. I'm thinking kdb>son. Wise? There are no other moves I can do really. Team is,,,,

    McCarthy
    Vvd/taa/Stephens
    Salah/kdb/grealish/traore
    Abu/ings/Kun

    Button/hayden/holgate/Hanley

    0.0itb

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It depends what value you have locked up, but there are loads of one-week moves you can do if desperate to catch up. Burnley at home to Bournemouth next. See if Woods likely to return, is one example, without thinking too hard.

      1. Heavy Data
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I like that move but it involves dropping ings....... or maybe........

        1. Heavy Data
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I have exact funds to do abu>wood and traore>son I'm going for it

  8. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning dzzz, what improvements would you make to this team with 2FT and 1.8m

    Ryan
    TAA • Robbo • Lundy -- Aurier (che) Rico
    Salah • Kdb • Grealish • Martial
    Vardy • Ings • DCL

    A: DCL >> Jimmy. ev though DCL has served me really well last 4gws but fixtures are horrific

    B: Martial (WAT) + Lundy >> Son (che) + Lascelles

    C: Something else

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I did vardy to Jimenez and kept DCL. Fixtures aren't great, but he's quite capable of scoring against arse, man utd and Che. I'm even gonna bring in richarlison next WK. Vardys form has been disappointing to say the least

  9. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Harry Gregg: Munich hero dies aged 87
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30383827

  10. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Think Jimemez and Ings are nailed but which third Forward optionnis best?

    A) Vardy (fixtures, no form)
    B) DCL (form, tough fixtures)

    1. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have both and I'm transferring DCL out.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Something feels so wrong given their respective stats. Vardy has had 5 shots in his last 6 games. Think there are better Leicester options to be had in midfield. But if his form turns around it will look the obvious move given the fixtures.

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B)

      Have DCL and ings and traded vardy for Jimenez. Vardys form has been particularly depressing

    3. Party time
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy

      • IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        DCL

      • Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy

      • The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        DCL

    4. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Henderson McCarty
      TAA VVD Stevens Lascelles Taylor
      Salah KDB Richarlison Grealish Hayden
      Auba Jiménez Ings

      GW27: Stevens > Boly
      GW28: Auba and Hayden > Greenwood and Son (switch for 352)

      Thoughts? Currently on 2FT

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Or Ayew instead of Greenwood

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Would want Stevens this week no? How about Grealish > Traore, then Auba to Vardy in 28

        1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Really not sure I want vardy. And don’t want to get rid of Grealish either, despite the blank.

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Fair enough, but I think there is way too much value up front to switch to 3-5-2. 3-4-3 is the way forward with Ings and Jimenez a lock and one of DCL/Vardy

            1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              I suppose you can look at it with who scores more. Vardy or Son..

              Massive finger towards son at the moment. Leicester have great fixtures though.

        2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Also, gonna play Henderson and C Taylor instead of Stevens

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Will there be a blank for Chelsea?

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        31 if they beat Liverpool in FA cup.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          So if CHE do not beat Pool then blank for LFC.

          1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yes

        2. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          or if Manchester City beat Sheffield Wednesday.

      2. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I think pool will beat Chelsea

      3. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea will blank in GW31 if they beat Liverpool or Manchester City beat Sheffield Wednesday.

    6. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Start Barnes, Cantwell or Lascelles?

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Barnes

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cantwell, Barnes a close second, Lascelles last

    7. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero to Jimenez seems the obvious move here. Can then get Vardy for DCL for 28-30 if he shows any glimpse of form against City. How’s the squad?

      Pope
      TAA VVD Stephens
      Salah KDB Son Traore
      Aguero Ings DCL

      Button Lundstram Cantwell Holgate

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Really good. WC in tact?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yep.. having a great last 5 weeks or so

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Good plans and nicely set. I'm struggling on Aguero's replacement between Vardy and DCL. Classic form vs fixtures debate. Vardy was invisible on Friday and his stats have fallen off a clifff.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I’ve never liked Vardy and avoiding was the reason my season was so abysmal. I do, however, think the fixtures will dictate a return to form and I’m keen to get him so that he doesn’t troll me again

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            What is your plan for GW31?

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Depends on Liverpool. If they blank I think free hit has to be deployed. If Chelsea beat them in FA Cup though then it’s easy to navigate with transfers and FH/BB in DGW’s

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Haven't watched a lot of Everton this year. How is DCL looking? Posting great stats but will his points dry up in tougher fixtures?

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              He has looked tremendous under Ancelotti mate. He has been told to spend more time in the box, and that has been reflected in his shots in the box and shots on target which rivals that of Aguero and Salah. He is incredibly good in the air also. Would hold him for Arsenal and United at Goodison I think

      3. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero to Jimenez will give us the same team, I was also planning DCL to Vardy but think I will save FT now and wait until GW31 blanks are confirmed before deciding whether to FH31 or not.

    8. Almathkourq8
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Morning

      Vardy to Jiménez?
      Need Son too !!

      Ryan (Fabianski)
      Stephens TAA OJC (Rico Kelly)
      kdb Salah grealish Mane (Cantwell)
      Vardy ingsy DCL

      0.3 itb and 1FT

    9. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Jiminez or Son?
      Whom is the more likely to score points

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Jimenez this GW

      2. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Scratch that.
        Jimenez it is.

        No room for Son. As I rather have mane and salah

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Son + 2.5 million beats Mane and Salah 100%

    10. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Team good to save FT coming week?

      Pope
      Stevens Stephens Boly TAA
      KDB Son Salah
      Jimi Ings Firmino
      Henderson Barnes Mooy Fernandez

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, save there. Still fancy Bobby? Definite hold for Hammers at Anfield I suppose

    11. HVT
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Did we ever work out which combo was/is best?
      A - TAA/Robbo/Mane
      B - TAA/Robbo/Salah
      C - TAA/Mane/Salah

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        The very crux of the problem until the end of the season. I have C but suspect I might change to A when I wild card - or even include VVD for Robbo

      2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Salah, TAA and VVD (cheaper than Robbo)

      3. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A or B for me. Having two pool premium midfielders tilts the balance of my team.

      4. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Easily TAA, VVD, Salah.. points don’t lie

    12. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pick one for Captaincy:

      Ings (AVL)
      Jimenez (Nor)
      Salah/Mane (WHU)

      All home matches!

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Easy Salah

      2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Salah

    13. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Who's the best third forward alongside Ings and Jimenez on WildCard?

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I've got Vardy - being very patient at the moment!

    14. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wud u do VVD + Son to Mane + egan?? (own TAA and Salah)

    15. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Player with stars are the ones I am planning to move on so could take hits and really spice things up for GW27 but will wait till Friday as Europa and CL fixtures could bite should there be injuries etc.

      Henderson McCarthy
      TAA VVD Stephens Lascelles *Dunk
      Salah Son *KDB *Perez *Cantwell
      Jimenez *Auba * Ayew

      Team I will go with for GW27 should I not decide to go crazy with hits. Still pondering whether I should save.

      Henderson
      TAA VVD Stephens
      Salah KDB Son Perez
      Auba Jimenez Ayew

      McCarthy Cantwell Lascelles Dunk

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Money ITB?

        Auba to Ings would tempt me,. Toffees will have a resilient defence and Ings has the form and fixtures to boot

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Perez to Traore also a solid move

    16. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at Newcastle, their defence is nice and cheap to have for the bench but my word, their attack is a disaster. If they cannot score then very likely they will keep on conceding goals.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Defence isn’t great either..

    17. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good win for Utd even if both their scorers should not have been on the pitch. Rookie performance from Lampard