Dugout Discussion

Fantasy interest minimal as relegation-threatened Villa face crucial Palace clash

It’s not quite last-chance saloon territory for Aston Villa but, seven points adrift of safety and with only four matches remaining, a victory over Crystal Palace is surely a must this afternoon if they want to keep their slim chances of avoiding relegation alive.

Kick-off at Villa Park is at 14:15 BST.

Both managers originally made one change apiece from the sides they sent out in Gameweek 34+ but an injury to Kortney Hause (£4.4m) in the warm-up has seen Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.1m) replace him.

Dean Smith has also recalled Conor Hourihane (£5.7m) to the Villa midfield, with Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) dropping to the bench.

That should see Jack Grealish (£6.0m) move to a more advanced position down the left of the hosts’ attack.

Keinan Davis (£4.3m) is only among the substitutes, as is the fit-again Matt Targett (£4.3m).

Pepe Reina (£4.2m) recovers from a hamstring strain to start.

Roy Hodgson’s one alteration is an enforced one.

Gary Cahill (£4.4m) looks set to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, so Mamadou Sakho (£5.0m) gets the nod to replace him at centre-half.

Budget FPL defender Martin Kelly (£4.1m) is back on the bench after recovering from a calf problem.

It’s fair to say interest is limited in this one from a Fantasy perspective.

Grealish is the only player in either starting XI who has a double-digit ownership in Fantasy Premier League.

‘Ghost teams’ will account for some of that ownership and, if we instead look at the top 10,000 in FPL, not a single player from either Villa or Palace is owned by more than 3%.

Grealish’s ownership within this elite group is only at 2.13%.

Nine of Palace’s ten clean sheets this season have come against sides in the bottom half.

The Villans have scored just twice in their last eight Premier League matches.


Aston Villa XI: Reina, Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Taylor, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Hourihane, Trezeguet, Samatta, Grealish.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Dann, Sakho, van Aanholt, Zaha, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur, Ayew, Benteke.

840 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which of these will start for City this week against Bournemouth?

    A) Sterling
    B) Mahrez
    C) KDB
    D) Foden
    E) Jesus

    I’ve got KDB and Foden but very tempted to do KDB -> Sterling/Mahrez/DSilva and captain ....

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure pep knows yet.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The only one that I'm even slightly confident about being benched is Mahrez, wouldn't want to guess any further.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hi mate - how’s the week?

        Wolves have savaged some respectability for me.

        Think I’m ditching KDB this week - all in

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Given up now lol, 31(-4) with 5 to play, what about you? Yeah I haven't actually been punished too much from ditching KDB a few weeks back, don't think it's a bad move.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'm not even confident on that one tbh

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

        I have KDB Stering and Mahrez, im worried about Mahrez and KDB. Im tempted to do Mahrez > Dilva tbh.

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Same. Think it will be a good move

      4. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will you not want KDB back?

        Dilva & Foden seems safe and one of Sterling/Jesus to play up top, unless Pep goes Bernardo false 9 again.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No - I’ll FH 38 so can get back then anyway if needed

      5. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'll do their minutes

        30
        Off bench
        30
        90
        60

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          So who starts then lol

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Foden Jesus
            1/2 a chance that KdB / Sterling start
            Mahrez doesn't start

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              DSilva to start?

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Muahaha

      6. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fodens time to shine (c)

      7. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This is Pep roulette matrix from Legomané :https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EctgqtMXsAMmnZH?format=jpg&name=large
        My *guess* as a potential front 6 would be:

        Rodri Gundogan Dilva
        Bilva Sterling Foden

        But it's a tough call between Sterling/Jesus with Sterling arguably having had his rest already vs. Newcastle but playing 90 this GW while Jesus has started 5 straight games but has come off early in the last two...

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks - v helpful 🙂

          So who would you favour getting in? DSilva?

          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I think Dilva and Foden are the best two options this GW

      8. seewhyaxe
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I’d probably go for bloke here and say both Raz and Mahrez will start up front with Jesus.

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

        Foden Jesus Sterling to start

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

          * and captain Jesus

    3. Champions united
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bb team
      Any improvements??

      mcarthy/ederson
      TAA digne soy saiss aurier
      antonio kdb willian bruno,martial
      ings, green,vardy

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Needs more city attack

        1. Champions united
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Vardy to Jesus is only viable solution
          After today's game

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Brilliant. 3 figure GW incoming

    4. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Early thoughts here...

      Aarons + Vardy > Alonso + Jesus (-4) ?

      Early Chelsea news hopefully

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes!

      2. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Have you seen Chelsea's defense? Nice moves otherwise.

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Agreed but it’s Norwich! Prime ingredients for a potential haul

          1. Bun Rab
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yep but will somehow find a way to concede. You're relying on attacking returns. If Alonso starts. Better than Aaron's by a mile but too high risk for me personally.

        2. Alexis Nonsense
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Alonso is a striker....

          1. Bun Rab
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Who has only played 45 mins in the last 3 games.

      3. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        How do you still have Aarons?!

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          5th defender. Means I’ve played Egan last 3

    5. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Let's all face it the bottom 3 are already relegated

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sunderland taught us that anyone can survive relegation unexpectedly. The Black Cats used up all 9 lives eventually of course, but anything can happen towards the end! Might be a big story yet to unfold...

    6. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think I will just captain a Chelsea player provided we get the leaked team news and not bother about Pep roulette.

      Also considering Salah captain as Pool might be going for that 100+ point record.

    7. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Does anyone know what the EO of wolves defenders are in the top 10k? Assumimg its below 200% so my two wolves defenders gives me a rank boost, but wonder how much they help me

      1. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Less than 100%

        1. Deeney-is-a-god
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ~93%

        Single barely worth without bonus, double very nice.

        https://www.livefpl.net/games

        1. Deeney-is-a-god
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Great, a small positive in a GW where nothing has been going my way...

    8. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      pelanty

    9. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      penalty. grealish fouled

    10. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Penalty to Villa

    11. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I want as many people chasing the golden boot as possible, really need to fit Auba in for the last two.

    12. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Penalty Villa

    13. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What a dive

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

        Standard Grealish

    14. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which one for the next 3?

      A. KDB
      B. Foden
      C. DSilva

      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A. Just. Can get points no matter how long he plays.

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Hasn't been getting those recently

    15. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Free hit in 36 or 38?

      Really struggling to decide, my team doesnt look bad this week!

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Need to see team

      2. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If your team looks okay then save the chip

      3. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The fact we will probably get leaked team news (especially for city) in 38 swings it for me.

        38 is normally goals galore too

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

          We'll get Chelsea leaked news though this week, right?

      4. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        38. Could get plenty of leaks.

      5. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Depends on team, if you look good just hold it and weather the storm.

    16. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Comical

    17. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Grealish dive!

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yellow card incoming

    18. JonSnow
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      big ole dive there

    19. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Grealish red? Stamp.

    20. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bless his little cotton ankle socks.
      That's hilarious

    21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pen overruled

    22. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Penalty denied by VAR

    23. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol, Grealish acting like he’s been shot 😀 Justice done

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Apart from him not getting booked for cheating

    24. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has to be a booking then no?

    25. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Finally a good decision by VAR

    26. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gralishs fall looks so unnatural

    27. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait a minute, did VAR get that right?

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

        Hallelujah

      2. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        At least something gone right this gw

    28. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only Bruno is allowed to stamp on players and win pens, you should know this Grealish.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Get over it mate

    29. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Grealish stands on PVAs foot... FFS.

      Commentators are useless

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        At full speed it looks like a pen. The beauty of VAR. If only they gave it to the onfield refs to use the monitors to decide though. Empower the onfield refs!

    30. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
      Team to play Tottenham: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
      Subs: Macey, Sokratis, Torreira, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Soares, Nelson, Willock, Saka.

      TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS
      Team to play Arsenal: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Sissoko, Winks, Lo Celso, Son, Kane, Moura.
      Subs: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Lamela, Sessegnon, Bergwijn, Ndombele, Skipp, Fernandes, Tanganga.

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Strange choice to bench our best player over the past few games

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!
        Arsenal to win to nil but with no involvement from Saka or Auba please
        Martinez to save a Kane penalty would be nice too

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Jinxed it

    31. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ⚽ Team News 📰
      TOT: Lloris, Alderweireld, Aurier, Sánchez, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Son, Kane, Lucas Moura
      Subs: Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Tanganga, Lamela, Fernandes, Sessegnon, Ndombele, Skipp, Bergwijn

      ARS: Martínez, Mustafi, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Bellerín, Pépé, Lacazette, Aubameyang
      Subs: Macey, Saka, Cédric, Sokratis, Holding, Torreira, Willock, Maitland-Niles, Nelson