Scout Notes

Grealish and his FPL owners frustrated as Lampard keeps us guessing with selection

Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea

  • Goals: Kortney Hause (£4.4m) | Christian Pulisic (£6.9m), Olivier Giroud (£6.6m)
  • Assists: None | Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m) x2
  • Bonus: Azpilicueta x3, Giroud x2, Pulisic x1

Arsenal and Sheffield United assets mostly disappointed in their second Gameweek 30+ fixtures and there was little joy for Fantasy managers in part two of Aston Villa’s double-header.

Kortney Hause (£4.4m), owned by 0.1% of Fantasy Premier League bosses and just one manager inside the top 10,000, was the only Villan to score more than two points in Sunday’s defeat against Chelsea, whose second-half comeback left Dean Smith’s side rooted in the relegation zone.

The Villa boss had named an unchanged side for the encounter with Frank Lampard’s troops, meaning another start up front for the ‘out of position’ and misclassified FPL midfielder Keinan Davis (£4.4m).

Davis had looked sharp in the goalless draw with Sheffield United but he was starved of service here, failing to register a single shot or penalty box touch before being replaced in the 57th minute.

Jack Grealish (£6.4m) saw slightly more of the ball but plenty of grass, too, being fouled nine times (the most of any player in Gameweek 30+) as Chelsea sought to thwart Villa’s talisman through any means necessary.

Grealish’s on-field frustrations mirrored those of his owners off it, with the most-bought FPL asset of this Double Gameweek compounding a second successive blank by being booked for a petulant foul in injury time.

Hause had given Villa the lead shortly before half-time, following up his own saved shot to break the deadlock.

The centre-half has caught the eye at attacking set plays in Double Gameweek 30+ but his manager praised his defensive contributions ahead of Wednesday’s match at Newcastle United, saying:

It looks like he’s got a really good partnership going with Tyrone Mings. The back four has looked really solid, which has been pleasing because we have been leaking chances and goals previously. With Bjorn Engels being injured as well.

Villa had defended reasonably well until Chelsea’s two-goal salvo on the hour-mark, with the visitors dominating possession but not crafting a real clear-cut opportunity until Christian Pulisic (£6.9m) fired the Blues level from Cesar Azpilicueta‘s (£5.9m) cross.

The Chelsea right-back was at it again two minutes later, assisting what turned out to be the winner in the shape of Olivier Giroud‘s (£6.6m) deflected strike.

Many of us will be looking at Chelsea assets from Gameweek 32+ onwards but settling on the right player or a combination of them will prove troublesome.

Lampard has a huge squad available to him for the run-in, with Jorginho‘s (£4.9m) imminent return from suspension only swelling the ranks.

A prime example is Tammy Abraham (£7.5m), the most-bought Chelsea asset of Gameweek 30+.

Over 200,000 FPL managers took the plunge on the striker ahead of last Wednesday’s deadline but he found himself only named among the substitutes at Villa Park, emerging for the dreaded one-pointer after the break.

Abraham was a regular starter when fit from Gameweeks 3-25 but Giroud’s fine pre-lockdown form earned him another run-out in the Midlands and the veteran Frenchman’s goal will only increase the ongoing uncertainty over when and how often his positional rival will get game-time.

Pulisic is another asset capable of some explosive returns but only did so from the bench on Sunday, with Lampard opting to start a rusty-looking Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.3m) down the left flank instead.

The Chelsea boss said of those two players:

I’m delighted for Ruben to be back in the fold. He’s got in the team on his own merit and for the way that he’s worked for a long time now. In the last few weeks he’s looked good and strong. We have to give him some time to adapt but I felt it was a good game for him to bring his physicality and something different.

He’s going to get much better. It’s been a long time since he last played but he has so much to give us a team and a squad. There were glimpses of it today but there’s much more to come.

The individuals who make the difference should always take all the credit so with Christian and Ross Barkley, who came on at the same time, they’re both players who have trained well and had cases to start this game.

I had some good selection problems and you have to consider the type of game. We knew that fitness would play a part so the idea of bringing on Christian and Ross early in the second half was always something that was in my mind depending on how the game went.

There was at least the familiar sight of Mason Mount (£6.2m) on the pitch, with Lampard’s most-trusted lieutenant keeping up his ever-present record.

Mount has started in 26 of his 30 league appearances this season and was arguably Chelsea’s brightest player throughout, with the three-month break looking like it had done the energetic midfielder the world of good after an arduous 2019/20 campaign.

Buzzing across the pitch from left to right, Mount drew a smart stop out of Orjen Nyland (£4.3m) and fizzed a low ball across the Villa goalkeeper’s six-yard box that evaded both defence and attack.

The young midfielder was namechecked by his manager after the match but it was Azpilicueta who Lampard reserved the most praise for:

I thought Azpi was really good in the game. Obviously he delivers the ball for Christian’s goal and got really high up in areas. We worked a lot before the game on how we wanted to attack and down the right-hand side was certainly an area for us to try to exploit.

Willian, Mason Mount when he moved to that side and Azpi with his energy to keep joining was a huge point of attack for us and eventually, we got the breakthrough from that. He showed his leadership and his quality.

While Azpilicueta delivered the goods, there was no such joy for Marcos Alonso (£6.2m).

The premium FPL defender was collateral damage of that decision to funnel play down the Villa left and he duly blanked, something he hadn’t previously done when starting a Premier League game this season.

The availability of Reece James (£5.1m), whose Gameweek 30+ benching was perhaps as much fitness-related as it was tactical, will also cause week-to-week jitters among Alonso’s owners going forward and the Spaniard remains a high-risk, high-reward punt.

As for Villa assets, Smith’s side at least have a not-too-awful Gameweek 31+ clash with Newcastle United to come, which acts as a bit of a buffer before the fixtures turn really bad.

The Magpies have been resilient at St James Park this season and demolished ten-man Sheffield United 3-0 on Sunday but Steve Bruce’s side does have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City looming large next weekend and this may not be a terrible time to play them, especially as they are well clear of the drop zone and have relatively little to play for in the league.

Smith knows that getting Grealish on the ball and ticking on Tyneside will be key to their chances:

You’ve got to feed him the ball, yesterday we never had enough of the ball to feed him. After two games, I expect him to be right at it against Newcastle.

Members Analysis

Access the full Aston Villa v Chelsea match data here

Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

1,251 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Maguire or Wan B?

    1. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      AWB

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Neither. Sh*t defence.

      1. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        It's not though. This is just misinformation. They've got one of the best defences by xG conceded in the league and their fixtures are great.

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          xG is fraud

          1. JabariParkersEyelid
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Okay if you like, I'm going to go with 1 anyway and if it comes back to bite me so be it.

            I'd go Maguire over AWB.

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          They are nightmare to own

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Harsh but true, anyone with butterfingers in goal needs to have another look.

    3. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Maguire

  2. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which option:

    A. Martinez, Rash and Guendouzi (3rd sub)
    B. Pope, Martial and Greenwood (3rd sub)

    Thanks.

    1. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  3. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any BS rumours yet of Aguero not starting?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't have any info.

      But as an Aguero(c), I know he will be benched. Always pick wrong in DGWs. Even if I try to second guess myself by knowing my picks will be wrong and going an alternative I get it wrong. So I now just pick whatever and accept it is going to go wrong.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        enjoy your hat trick. Im the same and I went without Aguero.

        Ive had two years in a row with 1 pointers from TC in double game weeks.

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I hope he is playing. Just done £350 on City to win by 2 clear goals......cmon Aguero

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Odds? Thats a big one considering the generally low energy without supporters and Burnley generally good defensively.

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          4-0 was easy money......

  4. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why is there such a buzz about Man City's leaked line ups? It's not that you can change your team anyways...

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      DGW fever!

    2. Viper
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Because everyone has three and people are excited 😆

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Impatience

  5. Wolves42
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Wildcard squad, any changes needed? Any advice appreciated - thanks!

    Pope / Martinez
    Justin / TAA / Doherty / Lascelles / Maguire
    Son / KDB / Saka / Salah / Fernandes
    Ayew / DCL / Jimenez

    1. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd downgrade Maguire and upgrade Saka

  6. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this look?

    Pope

    Doherty Maguire TAA (Lascellas, 3.9)

    Son Martial Bruno Salah Richarlison

    DCL Jimenez (Nketiah)

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      good

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good differentials

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      WC?

  7. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The 8.3m price point is so tantalising for this GW: Richarlison, Alli, Pogba all with amazing fixtures.

  8. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A)4-4-2 with VVD

    Or

    B)3-4-3 with DCL

  9. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Looking forward to Aguero's poker tonight, hope some of you to join me

  10. Mambino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    should we be giving up on Grealish?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Probably not. Depends how much you trust Dean Smith. I think Smith is a poor tactical manager and the way he used Grealish in these last two games flopped.

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Unfortunately I think so, but he's a great player.

    3. Jon Snow
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      His fixtures are very ugly so maybe

  11. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Another fantastic Scoutcast today.

    I must admit, LR12 is probably my favourite person to listen to (and his pro pundit articles are the only I read). Refreshing FPL player.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Agree re Lateriser12. Top FPL player.

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Evening Berbs.....what's your gut telling you about Salah playing GW31

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        My captain

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Me too top man

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He talks a lot of sense and analyses the games very well.

      Great listen.

    4. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers Berbs. Thanks for the kind words.

      Go on talk to me about Salah vs Mane.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Salah for me. Chasing his third golden boot (I think his 3 or so goals away from Vardy). Our best attacker in any case, and has pens too with Milner almost definitely out.

        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Reckon he starts on wednesday?

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            In my opinion yes absolutely

            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Cheers mate, i hope so!

        2. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers.

        3. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          What about Mane ?
          He'll be chasing as well. ..
          They both should start most of remaining games right ? I'm going with Mane

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Both start until title won

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Hmm
              Thanks mate

    5. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Took a lot away from that today was actually very insightful. Great podcast I agree.

      Though I also love Andy's just for his style alone, think he's great on the Mic.

    6. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Undoubtedly !

  12. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Keep or sell Lundstram? Got him at 4.0 and I’m sad to let him go haha

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keep as bench defender.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If you got him that low, keep.

    3. Releasebreaks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sell price for you is 4.4
      With this budget i would for sure look for nailed option, there is many at 4.3

    4. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks lads!

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Possible transfers-
    Soy > Aurier hit
    Alonso > Doherty hit

    Either & play BB next week??

    Pope,
    Trent, Boly, Soy,
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes C, Sarr,
    Jimmy, Rashford, Vardy

    McCarthy, Barnes, Taylor, Alonso

    .5 itb

    Tonight I have KDB C, Aguero & Sterling, if they run riot invest ?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keep Alonso IMO.
      City have Chelsea and Liverpool. Not sure they'll score freely. But they've destroyed Chelsea before.

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldnt do either of those moves for a hit mate

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks guys

  14. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On FH

    A. Vardy + Pope + Lascelles

    Or

    B. DCL + Doherty + Alisson

    Please help. FH team not WC.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  15. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Bruno Fernandes essential?

    A. Aurier and Bruno
    B. TAA and Richarlison

    Have Radhford.

    Thanks.

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Id say TAA is more essential, but i would definitely want them both

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes Bruno is essential with his ownership rising everyday. Also played well vs Tottenham

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        If you could only have one of TAA and Bruno?

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          TAA

  16. beric
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Rashford, Sarr, Alonso

    B) Ings, Son, Aurier

    Really struggling to choose on thos, opinions appreciated!

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have A at present, asking above?

    3. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A with Azpilicueta

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I had considered this too, but ive always loved having alonso in my team

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks for the replies!

    6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Alonso is high risk, high reward

  17. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If money isn't an issue - Ritchie rather than Lascelles for sure - I'm right?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      yaz

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Money might not be an issue now but can be very handy later so Lascelles would be my pick

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Indeed.

    4. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If he is nailed yes, but not sure if he is rotation-prone while playing as a winger.

    5. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      you' re not right, you are knee jerker

  18. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a) maguire + martial
    b) kiko + rashford?

  19. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sergio. Hattie. Please. Thank you.

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This.

  20. hogree
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Greenwood + Salah + Saiss
    B. Ayew + Richarlison + Trent

    on a WC...

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  21. Red Rock
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Roast my FH team please:

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Holgate
    Salah Bruno Son Richarlison
    Vardy (C) Jiminez DCL

    Button / Guendouzi J.Robinson Simpson

    I've tried to include Vardy and its at a sacrifice in a decent GK fixture, did have Rashford instead but Mini League leader will no doubt captain Vardy so am chasing

  22. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy should be safe from rotation right ?

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would think so

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      First game tomorrow. Hope we will get news from FPL rockstar

  23. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would give my left but for a KDB 2 pointer today.

    1. Jon Snow
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KdB 2 pointer but 10 goals from Kun would be extra tasty

  24. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who should I bench for GW31+?

    A) Lascelles (AVL)
    B) Mount (MCI)

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B. You're not on WC?

      If you are I'd be flip flopping between that Mount slot to get a spicier mid & Mount back in after.

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pick A or B on WC
    A- Bergwijn Aubameyang
    B- Son Rashford

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can get Aubameyang & son, but that'd mean playing saka every gw

        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Son and rashford man

    2. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  26. SPFC
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Apart from Foster, who is Watford's most nailed defender?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Dawson

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Dawson i guess

  27. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worth selling Salah this week for Son/Bruno?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Better to sell KDB

  28. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mans ve salah on WC

    All rivals have Mane so its high risk high reward considering he's not played a minute since restart yet

  29. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Plz rate this FH
    De Gea
    TAA, Chilwell, Doherty, Ritchie
    Salah, Son, Fernandes,
    Vardy, Jimmy, DCL

  30. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I dont't think I will use my wildcard this gameweek but I like this team - maybe from next gw:

    Martínez
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier
    KDB, Salah, Son, Fernandes, Martial
    Jiménez, Ings

    3.9, Greenwood, 3.9, 3.9
    0.5 million in the bank