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Both managers originally made one change apiece from the sides they sent out in Gameweek 34+ but an injury to Kortney Hause (£4.4m) in the warm-up has seen Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.1m) replace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. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like a Grealish stamp to me...

  2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If its not a penalty, then its a dive. Why no yellow? Crazy decisions.

  3. beric
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wheres the yellow for that embarrassing dive

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

    Grealish trying a Fernandes, to bad he plays for Villa unless it would deffo be a penalyu

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

      Taste of salt is beautiful

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Only because it benefits your team. 18 penalties for one team in one season is a disgrace.

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

          I think the Fernandes penalty decision was an absolute farce. Horrendous decision. The decision just made was the correct one though. People’s thoughts on United getting every decision is just funny though. “Fergie time” “Varchester United” it will never change. Regardless of wether the decision was correct or not.

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

        Absolutely

      3. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Im a united fan and he's right it was embarrassing from bruno the other day. Need to call it as it is

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

          I agree. I never said it wasn’t. I said on the day that it was a disgrace also. Don’t see it’s relevance in this match though.

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno got a penalty in a very similar situation. No consistency.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The difference is he plays for Manchester United.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ah yes

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

    Very similar to the Bruno stamping of Konsa. Which was never a pen, either.

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

      One big difference though.

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

        Different VAR official

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

          Or that

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

    Saka benched is very surprising.

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

    Failcazzette starts. All in on auction league now, FPL gone 40k to 100k in 2 weeks.

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

    Arsenal going for it with an attacking 4-3-3!

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope it’s 3-4-3

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

    Cheat Grealish. He and Fernandes should form a club.

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

      Lol. Must have steel-toe boots to join.

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

        Lol

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

          Grealish did the stamping...

  11. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Leeds nearly back in the big time. Marching on together.

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

      They can smell it! Will be great to be back.

    2. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Welcome to the Premier League, Dirty Leeds... 😉

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

    Why would you bench Saka and play Pepe?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Next season you shall see why, Pepe will come good. Hopefully starting today with a brilliant game.

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

        Saka has been brilliant! My point is mainly about Saka getting benched!

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Im sure he'll start on Wednesday and play in the cup on Saturday

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

      Did the same vs Norwich?

      Rest the talented Saka and play the Pepe dud in the easier games.

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

        Hahaha fair enough then

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

    Sod it... free hit in 38 and triple captain this week.

    Assuming we find out they are definitely starting, would you triple captain :

    A) Giroud
    B) Pulisic

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      neither to be honest. has to be city

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

        Just dont know who will start for City though?

        Who would you trust with the triple captain from City? Foden?

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Jesus

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

        City a roulette.

        West Ham just destroyed Norwich away and can't see Chelsea at home not doing the same.

    2. Shankly611
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B. I think he has a better haul potential

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

      Pulisic/Foden

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

      I'd be tempted with Foden TC if you have him.

    5. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      Pulisic. More pts for a goal. More nailed.

      If West Ham can destroy Norwich, then a wounded Chelsea, desperate for Champion's League, can destroy them too.

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

        this

      2. Pulp Minion
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Had all the makings of a Norwich 1-0 win

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

      I'd TC Bruno against an abysmal Palace side.

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

      tough but probably B

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

      Thanks all, appreciate it

  14. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Antonio or Bruno just for the next GW?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not really helping with that one haha. Going for Willian, Pulisic, DSilva, Foden as the other 4.

        However, I think I'll go for Bruno as I'm leading in my mini leagues and have an overall of 5k, so going without Bruno would be very risky.

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Hmm..I would bench Foden and play Antonio. But of those two, bench Antonio.

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

      Bruno

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

    Jose's going to suck the fun out of the derby, isn't he?

    1-0?

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

      Yep 😉 COYS

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

      I think Arsenal should score here with that line up.

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane will dive for a penalty

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

      I expect a 1-1 draw

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

    Trez brace

  17. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Trezeguet brace

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

    Trezeguet goal

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

    Trezeguey tc success

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

      Lmao

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

    Trezeguet 2nd G

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

    Bruno(c) next week vs Place?

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

    Starting to think this is David Trezeguet...

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

    Cant take that Hourihane assist away surely?!

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

      Unless there was a slight Elmo touch.
      Don’t think so.

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Saka benching makes sense if u think about it

    Liverpool next after a 2 day rest. Need ur winger to have a more all roubd game vs them

    Mourinho far more defensive and davies doesnt get much forward either so going with a more attacking pepe keeps saka fresh for pool

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pepe-Auba-Saka is what I wanna see.

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

    I was .1 short of Trezeguet 😉

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

    Trez & Hourihane the double up to have!

  27. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Walk like an Egyptian... go on, Villa!

    1. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best performing Egyptian of the PL weekend

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

      lol

  28. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno(c) next week then Palace are terrible

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

    oh shucks Saka benched. Will I get jammy Jiménez points ?

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

      Nope.

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

        🙁

  30. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Trezeguet doing his best to play in the PL next season.