Dugout Discussion

Traoré benched again as Aston Villa start two strikers against Wolves

Adama Traoré (£5.8m) finds himself on the Wolves bench for the second tie in three matches since the Premier League restart.

Nuno Espirito Santo has gone with a 3-5-2 formation for the tip to Aston Villa, the same system used for the last away match at West Ham.

For that Gameweek 30+ encounter, the Wolves manager used Traoré as an impact substitute, to good effect, and it appears that will be his plan again today.

Raúl Jiménez (£8.3m) owners and captainers will be pleased to see the Mexican in the starting line-up although may be a little disappointed by Traoré’s benching.

The two players form the most productive pairing in the Premier League this season, seven of Jiménez’s goals coming from Traoré assists.

Diogo Jota (£6.3m) gets his third successive start since the restart, joining Jiménez in the front-two.

Leander Dendoncker (£4.4m) is the man coming in for Traoré, sitting in a three-man central-midfield unit alongside Ruben Neves (£5.2m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.4m).

Meanwhile, popular Wolves defenders Matt Doherty (£6.4m) and Romain Saïss (£4.6m) both keep their starts once again.

They will have to handle a new-look Aston Villa attack this afternoon, with Dean Smith making the decision to go with a front-pairing of his own.

Rather than choose between Keinan Davis (£4.3m) and Mbwana Samatta (£5.6m), the Villa manager has started them together, supported by Jack Grealish (£6.4m) in what appears to be a central role.

Smith’s decision to go with a more conversative back-four has produced improved defensive showings since the restart, so he hands starts to Matt Targett (£4.4m), Tyrone Mings (£4.4m), Kortney Hause (£4.4m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.3m) once again.

Despite the tweaks to the front-three, Smith keeps faith in a three-man screening for the defence, deploying Marvelous Nakamba (£4.4m), Douglas Luiz (£4.4m) and Conor Hourihane (£5.7m) in central midfield.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-1-2): Nyland; Targett, Hause, Mings, Konsa; Nakamba, D Luiz, Hourihane; Grealish; Davis, Samatta.

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Doherty; D Jota, Jiménez.

1,481 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Villa are terrible. So blunt.

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

    Did Villa really spend almost 150 mill on this lot? It's not even as if they had to buy Grealish.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yup

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      To be fair to them it was mainly about permanent moves for the players they had on loan last season.

      Not sure what happened to the Villa fans on here who were saying that they would be challenging for Europe though.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Kiwivillan LOL

      2. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        not being able to get tammy back was probably the biggest flaw

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rubbish management. It’s Fulham 2.0

      1. Deeney-is-a-god
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Remember villa fans saying they wouldnt be fulham 2.0 before the season. Guess they were wrong

  3. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Concerning as a captainer but jimi does look tired

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      been a lot of games in a short space

  4. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Should've captained Doherty...

    1. Offside Trapattoni
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Gave it to Jimenez, with Doherty vice. What a letdown.

  5. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Donkey wasting all attack.. even though he scored.. he is rubbish

  6. UnitedFan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez absolutely knackered.

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez socks fallen down

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I literally don't know what to say.

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Pull them back up again?

    2. PepTalk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't leave us on tenterhooks.

  8. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez looking at the bench

  9. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealishs price is dropping just in time for summer

  10. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'd be champ if I could pick captains

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe choose the ones you find fit?

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Will try that tactic next

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          😉

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

      It really is the thing that matters the most in this game

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Jimi is a good player, playing against a bad team

        Good pick, doesn't work out

        Same with Son... good player, playing against a bad team (WHM) and the same happened

  11. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not watching

    Rate out of ten?

    A. Doherty

    B. Jimmy

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      7
      6

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

      8
      5

    3. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      6
      5

    4. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty consistent scoring.

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      6
      4

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimmy 5 ?? Did people not see the pass to Jonny?!

  12. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimi looks so tired 🙁

  13. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any feedback on my free hit draft for GW33+ with 0.0m itb would be appreciated:
    Ryan, 3.9m
    TAA, Doherty, Maguire, Lascelles, 3.9m
    Mane, KDB, Son, Bruno, 4.2m
    Maupay, Rashford, Jiminez.

    Should I downgrade Lascelles and get Salah from Mane?

  14. Bielsa's Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimi captain doesnt look like its paying out today

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It’s definitely a Jiménez (c) fail. Worst thing is the GW now drags on so long knowing a red arrow is a certainty

      1. Party time
          3 years, 9 months ago

          😆

        • Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          👿 😀

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

      For some bizarre reason I thought deadline was like 5pm.

      On Son captain, the only reason I kept Auba was to give him a short as captain at Norwich.

      Least I’ve got 2 FTs .... 🙁

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This is fated to be the kind of mistake that ends up in your favour in the end. Also I've captained Auba so you're fine, he'll blank.

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

      The Villa United game in 34 might be the one to target perhaps if Liverpool rotate heavily in 33.

      They really offer zilch and United have way more firepower than Wolves right now and will also be comparatively rested in 34

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why aren't you people on triple Man Utd already?!

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

          Was thinking about TC actually 🙂

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t believe this, first time I’ve owned Jimenez this season

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

      Jimi G would be heaven right now

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Amen

    6. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Doh on 4 a bap 🙂

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Need a YC please

      2. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hold!

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

      Glad I didn't cap Jimi. A bit miffed that I have Dendoncker on the bench, but what can you do...

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Bad luck - but a pretty stunning first 2 GWs back

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        ahh right, why's that?

      3. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Dendonk is all over the place, playing false 9 and defender at the same time...

    8. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimi looks spent... Strange NES is not hooking him off... Have they used all subs??

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why would he next game is a whole week away?

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

      Didnt cap Jimmy but his goal now would be lovely !

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

        121% EO suggests otherwise.

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

          My 2 rivals dont own him. Dont care for OR

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

            I always think if you take care of OR, the rest follows.

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

              Yep but not now. My OR is rubbish anyway. 170 K

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

                Mine is 550k so what do I know 😆

                Was 1m+ though a week ago so certainly going the right way, still worse season ever.

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

                  Yup. My worst season ever too

            2. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              OR is king to win the MLs

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

      Do people really own Doherty over Jonny. Baps Emperor

    11. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think from now on Jiminez will be in the "never bench never captain" area

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

        Unlesd Traore starts

      2. Party time
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Not actually so. Captained him last gw. He is one for the late occassion but fatigue is the reason why I avoided him as my captain this gw

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

        Dendoncker looking essential.

      4. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Quite like the 532 / 523 formation. Anyone got it to work well in FUT?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I’m running TAA Alonso Doherty Maguire and might get Aurier. So much upside

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Sorry mate, I meant in FIFA

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

        "Jimenez delivered a fantastic ball in and it just landed to Dendoncker who was on the edge of the area. It's a real quality finish into the bottom corner. He's done well from midfield, he's tried to get forward and get into the box as much as he can and he's got his rewards there."

        SkySports

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Jonny assist sunshine

      6. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        baps is broken if doccy gets any baps today

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Especially after that McGinn goal...

      7. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why is this dendo thinks he's a striker

      8. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What to do with Jota?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Nketiah and go shopping with the 2m

        2. Laurel and Vardy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Kick him out ASAP......