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. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Need Martial to haul as (c) with Jimi as VC

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      FA cup first

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That’s why they have Ighalo

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Their only chance of a trophy, expect a strong line up imo

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            They must be the favourites for the Europa League.

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              They are.

              Wolves 2nd
              Inter 3rd

            2. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              11/4 to win Europa League, 8/1 to win FA Cup

          2. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Europa League continues in August.

            Also 4th place trophy 😉

          3. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Top 4 is more important.

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

    Had 3 wolves. The 2 defender CSs cover my Jimi 2 pointer.

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

      Same but C Doherty 🙂

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        The balls on you big lad - well done!

    2. HNI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Only if Spurs and Manutd concede

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

    Moved the armband at the very last minute from Jimenez to Doherty. Going to enjoy this feeling (until Rashford knocks home a hattrick at Sheffield)

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

      Looks like he is just missing out on bonus points? If so, a bit unfortunate with that move but better than a blank!

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

        Not just...

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

      Possibility of cs was deciding factor there. Doc has been also getting attacking returns lately.

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

      Same last minute wobble to Jimenez but put it back on Doherty

  4. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lovely Saiss avoiding that fatal YC.
    Owners can now chill 🙂

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

      Isnt it 32 games by player not club?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Gameweeks

      2. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Club

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He was safe before the game, it is 10 ycs before gw 32, so he was on 9 before this gw (32)

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No if he got booked in the game it would mean a 2 match suspension

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

          Recheckee rules, and yeah, think you are right, and I was wrong! Good job he pulled through unharmed!

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

    8 games since Boly came back.
    7 clean sheets.

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

      Hard to beat big Willy.

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You could see Jonny was protecting Willy in that game.

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

          Jonny always has him covered.

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

          Yeah. Lucky he wasn't pulled off at half time too

          1. SuperMane Returns
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Was that because Willy had that little accident when his head went?

        3. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          JT likes this

        4. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Shielding him if you will. 😉

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

    SO which club will Grealish go to? I personally think he is best Arsenal level as never seem the one to be able to shine in UCL...Manutd have been linked but just seems hardworking Martial. Need a world class crosser in that squad

    1. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't see Grealish as a ManUtd type of player... they need a RW, someone like Sancho, and then they're pretty much set.

  7. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not a great day for Jimenez(c)

  8. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lundstram to Aurier?

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

      Good move.

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes very good

  9. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If kane looks good again I’m probably getting him in for vardy :/ anyone else?

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Never.

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

      Did that move this week - hope Auba fails

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

      Thinking it over

      Have option of Vardy Kane and Grealish Martial next week for a minus 4. But if Everton keep it tight again at Leicester I’ll hold off a week.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        3 of those 4 have been poor for several weeks. Why bring them in?

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

          It’s Vardy to Kane and Grealish to Martial

          Kane is wait and see for me. He has a huge top end and very decent fixtures on the horizon.

          Rashford Martial is a binary choice for me as I already have Maguire Bruno so simply looking at forward options.

  10. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba (C) is going to make these pages fly in a few days. Can’t wait

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

      What when Nketiah grabs the goals?

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Probably won’t even feature

    2. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Red card tomorrow

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

      Aub = 2 goals 1 assist is my prediction

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Feels right to me as well. He’s going to have a day

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

        I’ll have what you’ve been drinking 😉

  11. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Doherty(c) .. quite thrilled all things considered

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

      A bird in the hand...

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

      Group hug 🙂

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      After benching Rui for Martinez I can't cheer with full heart, but "triple def" felt a bit too risky even for me.

  12. Crouching Tiger
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Forgot about the deadline and it's Salah(c) now. Well that is a differential I'm sure...

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

      Hes a good option, was close to him, but ended up punting on son, any of the popular options could haul.

      If auba pulls it out of the bag with one, I'll prb have lost ml this season as non owner!

      1. Crouching Tiger
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yep.. two closest ML rivals have Auba(c), here's waiting for another blank from him. Fingers crossed, but Norwich is truly awful.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could work out

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

      58% EO in top 10k

  13. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance doh sneaks a bap?!
    Double def, and jimi, so could have been worse!

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No chance

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

      He loses the ball quite a bit so unless he gets returns he is usually out of the Baps

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Double def and jimi as well, can’t be to disappointed with it

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

    Jimmy is a one night stand gone wrong.

  15. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Top 10k avg = 8.99 points

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

      I’ll take my 20 then.

  16. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Held Grealish for far too long. Will feel great to finally offload!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I’m tempted to dump him now but will wait for pre deadline

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

    Is Pulisic nailed?

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

      Not yet

  18. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any suggestions on how to spend 2FTs (or one) here?

    Patricio
    TAA/Taylor/Aurier
    Salah/KDB/Bruno/Son
    Rashford/Jimenez/DCL

    Martin/Lascelles/Holgate/Guendouzi

    0.1 itb. Cheers!

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good side . I would get a cheaper keeper and upgrade the bench. Rotation will be rife and any non starters will cause you issues.

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

    6 days for a GW!

    Surely this is longest GW ever

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

      The GW29 fixture of Manchester City v Arsenal took 3 months...

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

        Ha

    2. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      no it was in Feb when the games were spread across 15 days

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Have you forgot about gameweek 26?
      First game on 8th Feb and final game on 19th Feb!

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

        Ohh true, it took forever

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

    WC 33, BB 34.

    Lloris Martinez
    TAA VvD AWB Boly Taylor
    KdB Mahrez Martial Pulisic Sarr
    Rashford Jimenez DC-L

    No Spurs attack concerns me.
    But, how do I fit one in?

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

      Wait till later in the week, if Pulisic & Martial blank that WC will get ripped up.
      33 Salah TC vs Villa

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

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

        Can always change to Mount & Bruno.
        How can I WC & TC in the same GW?

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

    Vardy to run wild assisted by Barnes, both nice differentials now 😉

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Guy stinks. Good luck with that

  22. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bonus 1 for Boly?

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    F**k sake. Own Jota and Jiminez C

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sold Ings instead of Jota so no doubt he bags a brace.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Going to be a long GW!

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yerp

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

      its fine, dcl will also blank

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

        Grealish already blanked loll

  24. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ings + Guendozi > Pulisic + Nekitah?

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

      It’s a bit meh, assuming the arsenal guys are fodder its basically ings to puli, I’d wait to see this gw play out and have a good look at both

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

        yeah, but Ings fixture is pretty bad coming up

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don’t that this week with 2ft. Sold Ings and Cantwell to Pulisic and Nketiah. Benched the arsenal man for Jota though...

  25. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What was Jim’s EO?

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

      120ish

  26. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just realised I have the exact cash to do Jota and Saka to Nketiah and Martial this week.

    Altho Martial looks to be rising tonight.

    Would you pull the trigger considering there are a ton of games to go?
    Nketiah would be my bench player

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    First and last time I ever captain Jimmy.

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

      I imagine a lot of saying that right now!

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

      Same

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

      Changed him with one minute to go to Salah. Relieved.

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      hes my VC for Salah. Will be fuming now if Salah is benched

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimmy cranky

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

      Thought you were C Doherty?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Went Jimmy instead sadly.

    7. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You'll run out of players pretty quickly

    8. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      last week i c jimmy, this week last time.

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

    And there I was this morning stripping Sarr of his captaincy opting for a “safe” option

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

      What made you consider Sarr out of interest?

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

        Fixture and explosiveness

  29. Reg83
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    wanted to do last minute c rashford but stuck with Jimmy.

    Bad decision.

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

      Bad outcome not bad decision - big difference

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

    Have kept Auba(C) long enough. Lets see if it pays off.

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

      I have strong feels it will

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

      Sorry, I've captained him as well and I haven't got a goal from my captain since February.