Scout Notes

Improved Villa defence brings goal difference into relegation battle

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

  • Goals: Trézéguet (£5.2m)
  • Assists: Tyrone Mings (£4.4m)
  • Bonus Points: Mings x3, Trézéguet x2, Jack Grealish x1 (£5.9m), Ezri Konsa x1 (£4.3m)

Aston Villa put the club’s Premier League destiny in their own hands with a massive 1-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday evening.

It was a result that took Dean Smith’s men above Watford, whose goal difference had taken a battering at the hands of Manchester City, setting up a relegation showdown on the final day of the season.

Villa will travel to West Ham knowing that a win will keep them up, as will bettering the results of Watford and Bournemouth.

The Hornets have perhaps drawn the short straw in that they travel to face an Arsenal side that might want to produce a reaction to their Gameweek 37+ defeat at Villa Park, while Bournemouth face an out-of-sorts Everton side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) is sure to have felt Tuesday’s loss most keenly, especially as it left him three goals short of Jamie Vardy‘s (£9.7m) tally in the Premier League Golden Boot race.

With Watford managerless and conceding a minimum of three goals in four of their last six outings, the Arsenal striker could be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday… We know Aubameyang is capable of man-of-the-match displays, as he showed in the recent FA Cup win over Manchester City.

“We need to transmit this enthusiasm and passion. There’s going to be some ups and downs but it’s good sometimes to see the reality and improve.” – Mikel Arteta

It was their continually improving defence that secured the win for Aston Villa against Arsenal, although they did ride their luck as Eddie Nketiah (£4.3m) struck the inside the post late on. 

Villa have now kept two clean sheets in the last three matches, each one leading to a massive three points for the team. Without the changes Smith made at the back, they would not be in the position they are ahead of the final weekend of the season. 

And now that goal difference is set to play such a key factor in the Premier League relegation battle, the Villans could play conservatively, opting to utilise the pace and guile of Jack Grealish (£5.9m) on the counter-attack as they did on Tuesday evening.

“We have to make sure we win at West Ham. We knew we had to show a lot of courage and work rate. It was a real team performance today. We defended the box very well, I don’t remember Pepe Reina making a save. The players all grew in stature tonight. Jack had his best game since the restart, Ezri has gone onto another level. It was a real team performance and it had to be.” – Dean Smith

If Villa were to execute their Gameweek 37+ gameplan at West Ham on Sunday, it could make life harder for assets such as Michail Antonio (£7.1m) and Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m), who have been in decent form of late.

However, relying on Villa for goals themselves might not be the smartest move for Fantasy managers in Gameweek 38+. After all, they have scored more than one goal just once since the return of Premier League football.

As much as Smith’s men managed the win over Arsenal well, there were few moments of real danger posed by their attackers.

Trézéguet‘s (£5.2m) winning goal was a stunning effort although it might be hard to replicate at the London Stadium.

Outside of that strike, Villa and their Arsenal counterparts were mostly feeding on scraps.

The home side came closest to pressing home their advantage in the 74th minute when Grealish went on a powerful counter-attacking drive. His pass into substitute Keinan Davis (£4.3m) was perfectly weighted to allow the striker to get one-on-one with Emi Martínez (£4.4m), only to pull his effort wide of the far post.

John McGinn (£5.2m) then had a powerful shot saved in the 77th minute, the Arsenal goalkeeper able to stand up to the effort.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Reina; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Elmohamady (Guilbert 25′); Hourihane (Nakamba 73′), D Luiz, McGinn (Lansbury 90+3′); Grealish, Samatta (Davis 72′), Trézéguet.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Kolasinac, D Luiz (Pépé 60′), Holding; Saka (Tierney 60′), Torreira (Xhaka 46′), Ceballos, Cédric (Willock 79′); Aubameyang, Lacazette, Nketiah.

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

1,622 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good to go on FH GW38?

    Martinez (Button)
    Pieters Bardsley Cresswell (Rico Stephens)
    Sterling (c) Salah Bruno Dilva (Guendouzi)
    Kane Ings Jesus

    Having some doubts over Jesus

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No issues there mate. G2G

  2. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    It seems to be a good FH draft when I have 4 captain choices?

    A) Kane
    B) Salah
    C) Raz
    D) Dilva

    Who would you pick as captain?

    1. I AM THE FPL MONSTER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      raz

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

      C

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    5. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you want a differential captain - I bet almost everyone using FH will captain Sterling - I would go for Kane. I just think that Palace fixture will play just nicely.

  3. Atom&Humber
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope McCarthy
    Tierney TAA doh boly dunk
    Salah martial pulisic bruno Foden
    Jesus jiminez ings

    Got exact money to do:
    Jiminez, Bruno and doh to greenwood sterling and Robbo for a minus 8
    Thoughts?

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

      -8 too much
      do it only if desperate chasing

      1. Atom&Humber
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hmmm my rank is decent chasing a mini league win

  4. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What scores more?

    A) Kane Auba Martial Bardsley
    B) Kane Ings KDB Aurier

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Want a 3rd city for this week. Already have KDB and Mahrez so thinking Jesus.

    How does Jimi and Doherty to Jesus and Pieters (2FT) sound?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling is the one you need

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

        This

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling & Dilva would be my two choice picks from City.

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

        I am starting to consider KdB as third option with Dilva and Sterling.

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That's what I'm on, but I already had that so no real decision to make.

    3. Boz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who are your top 3 defender picks for FH38+?

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Trent Robbo Van Dijk probably

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha! ASM to ruin that party 😆

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Haha, I didn't mean as a three to be fair!

          Newcastle looked really bad against Brighton the other day

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah we are on the beach matey. Pool will hoy a few past us easy

    2. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      TAA
      Aurier
      Tarkowski/Pieters

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That's my 3

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Same Ajax matey

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s my current draft 3 too

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'll be having VVD, Laporte and Tarko.

      3. D.Glynn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Similar to mine

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Digne, Robertson, Tierney

  7. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What option do you prefer??

    A. Martial, Robertson & Branthwaith
    B. Antonio, Trent & Aurier

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tricky. See how Martial, Robbo and Trent look tonight to help
      decide

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

    Is there a better cheap striker than Ings this week? Any punts?

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chris Wood

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL lol

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Like Chris Wood

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

    Are people keeping KdB? I see a lot of teams without him...

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can’t decide. Ideally I would be he’s 2m more than Mahrez

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

        Mahrez is a big gamble in my opinion. Not playing particularly well and hasn't been getting any big hauls recently

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah but if on a Free Hit I may not.

    3. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FH teams going without, most others will keep I would presume

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

        With FH I am starting to change my mind. Original plan was Jesus, but I expect KdB to start and outscore Mahrez.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sort of thinking this too. No pens is crap though

    4. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fancy doing KDB > Sterling after his comments about hitting 20 goals.

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

        Absolutely would want Sterling. But KDB will surely get points as well you feel. I still have Vardy so may opt to take a hit, but I'm defending a 45 point ML lead.

    5. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have to because of ML rival with no FH.

    6. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I dont have him, but am on a FH where my rival has him. Will see where the league is after 37 and how punty I need to be - if I've got a cushion I'll probably go without

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

      Got rid last week.

    8. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think I'm going to do KDB to Sterling (no FH)

  10. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Firmino anyone 😀

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nop

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no

    3. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer Anyone

  11. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good to go?

    Pope
    TAA Stephens Cresswell
    Salah Pulisic Martial Sterling (c) KDB
    Wood Ings

    McCarthy Greenwood Aurier AWB

  12. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B for the last GW?

    A) Aubameyang & Long (3rd BUR defender)
    B) Ings & TAA

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

      Kane and Long

  13. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is this FH template enough, is Antonio a good pic vs getting a 3rd city? I had martial but can’t decide on tony vs Bruno

    Pope
    Aurier, Tarkowski, Pietera
    Sterling, Dilva, Salah, Bruno, Antonio
    Kane, Ings

    3.9, Greenwood, Braithwaite, Williams

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      See my post below - I decided not to get Antonio. 3 City for me is a must.
      I have Bruno but I'd prefer Martial tbh.

  14. I AM THE FPL MONSTER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    OR 2704. On FH I have 2 dilemmas:

    A) Ings or Antonio

    B) Richarlson or Martial

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings, Martial

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

      Ings Martial

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Well you are OR 2704 so you tell us better

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

        Lol

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester vulnerable on the break, Villa tight and want a point.

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

      Subtle brag disguised as question. I like it. Great rank by the way.

    6. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you went martial and Antonio, who would your striker be? Fodder?

      Ings and Martial for me

  15. KanteTouchThis
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH 38+, opinions?

    Marinez Button
    Pieters Bardsley xxx xxx Brantwhaite
    Salah Sterling Dilva Bruno Martial
    Kane xxxx Nketiah

    Would you rather
    a) Ings, Robertson, 4.1 Def to bench
    b) Jesus, B. Williams, 5.0 Def to play (who?)

    Thanks

    1. I AM THE FPL MONSTER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B...sell brainthwaithe to tanganga...get jesus and aurier

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

        Oh brilliant, Leaves me with no bench defender but might be worth the risk

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Or might not be. GW38s are notoriously rotatey, esp with beached teams.

  16. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) KDB+Bruno to Dilva+Sterling -4
    B) KDB+Jimenez to Dilva+Kane -4
    C) Pulisic to Dilva for free

    I’m chasing, which is the best move?

  17. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on FH team?

    Martinez
    Bardsley Pieters Aurier
    Salah Sterling C KDB Silva Antonio
    Ings Kane

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Actually not quite sold on Antonio with villa's recent form and the desire to stay up

  18. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB > Sterling
    AND
    Jesus>Kane

    For a hit?

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

      I like it.
      I’m doing similar with KDB+Bruno/Martial to Sterling+Dilva

  19. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    For the last 2 weeks I've had a plan to use my last transfer to sell Willian for Antionio. Now the time has (almost) come, I realise if I do that I'm stuck with having to drop one of my 8 attackers. I'm good with playing 7 and leaving Willian benched and instead strengthen the defence. I have a Citizen (Laporte), Red (VVD), two blades and a Wolf. So my last tran will be Saiss to Tarkowski and play him. Balance.

  20. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5 non Burnley defender?

    Considering Diop and Branthwaite.

    Any others?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Another Burnley defender would be my choice. Why not?

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They’re the best two I feel

  21. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How about this FH team?

    Martinez
    Aurier Tarkowski Pieters
    KDB Salah Sterling Dilva
    Auba Kane Ings

    3.9 Long Guendouzi 3.9

  22. MosF94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Couple of FH differentials I'm considering: Grealish and DCL. Both feel "due" a return, both have favourable opposition - any reason not to have either?

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

      Do it

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

    What to do??? 1FT 1.6m itb
    Pope
    Doc taa cresswell
    Bruno martial kdb mahrez
    Ings kane rashford

    Martin egan cantwell

    Just do rashford to jesus
    Or get sterling -4
    Or anything else???

  24. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone still have Vardy? Keeping or selling?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Their form? That fixture? Nah. Gone for Ings.

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

      I want to sell, only difficult to find good replacement with already 3 City and 3 United.

    3. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Getting rid of on my FH

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

      Thanks. I'm getting rid for a hit I think

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

      Can't decide - gonna wait to see how utd get on tonight. If they don't win tonight then it could be a really cagey affair on Sunday and may not be many goals

  25. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best transfer to make?
    A) Boly to Robbo
    B) Rashford to Kane
    C) Mahrez to D Silva
    D) Ings and Mahrez to Kane and D Silva for -4

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

      A for me, wolves unlikely to get clean sheet with che going for win. rash, mahrez, ings could all haul

  26. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a FH for GW38+ is there better options in :-

    A. 3-5-2
    B. 3-4-3

    I'm leaning towards A as I'm not convinced by Auba v Watford and not sure Jesus plays v Norwich

  27. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more in GW38 you think:

    A) Bruno + Greenwood + 4pts
    B) Grealish + Jesus

    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. redsallstars
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  28. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone think Leicester vs Man Utd could be a goalfest? Neither team really in good shape defensively & may have to go on the attack for CL places.

    Just trying to justify keeping Vardy if I'm honest, can only afford 1 of Auba/Sterling & favouring Raz atm.

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

      yes for sure. cant see it being a cagey affair, lei will have to go for win

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

    I'm at around 13k. Do you guys think I can hop in within the 10k mark without a FH chip in the last gw?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Frankly, no. 🙁

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Of course. Realise that FH is not a guarantee of point improvement. If everyone around you had their BB left then you're probably screwed. But in most instances a significant number of FHs screw up and do worse than their original team

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

      What's your team?

  30. eamonhegg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    You can guarantee one thing.

    All players who are 4 goals or less for golden boot will be playing GW 38

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I foresee disaster. Vardy has a chance to pass for a tap-in, wants that boot, shoots, misses, points lost, CL place lost.

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could you blame him if Barnes is the one waiting for the pass?