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. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Robbo & Aurier
    B) TAA & Bardsley (2nd BUR defender)

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

      A

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

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

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

    Rashford or Fernandes?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno!

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      R

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

    Bottomed :-

    FH GW38 options

    Current front line of:-

    Sterling Salah Dilva Bruno ******
    Kane Ings ******

    A. Jesus in a 3-4-3
    B. Martial in a 3-5-2

  5. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just getting your final thoughts on this question. Would you for VVD, Mane and Kane or Robbo, Salah and Jesus?

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

      2nd

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

    Would you do Greenwood --> Jesus/Rashford for -4pts?

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

      No

  7. Baby Face Nelson
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    probably a silly question but is it possible to use FH and TC in the same GW?

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

      No it's not, one chip per GW.

      1. Baby Face Nelson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks. TC it is then

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

      Probably better to ask that question before the final GW

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

      Wow...9 years

      1. Baby Face Nelson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        old school 🙂

        1. Davemc23
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          FH a better chip in my opinion

        2. SackWenger
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Go back to school

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

    Fernandes or Martial?

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

      Let's do this

      Pick 2

      Martial Fernandes or Rashford.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ask again after tonight's game

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

    With 1 FT and 1.0 ITB then I should just di Pulisic -> Dilva right? Nothing worthy of a -4?

    Martinez
    Azpi - Aurier - Bardsley
    Sterling(C)-KDB-Dilva-Bruno-Martial
    Rashford - Ings

    (Kepa, Pieters, Doherty, Connolly)

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

      yeah no hits needed, good to go

  10. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Might need a sub 6.8 mid differential to push for top 10K

    Trezeguet or Grealish vs West Ham away too crazy?

    1. H Dog
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think there are too many better options.

      Maybe Bowen?

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

      Grealish! I am sure he will will score big for his last game, playing to save their ass in PL against a team that is safe and pretty much on holiday

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

        Never seems to work out the way Grealish wants it to.
        Seems to be on the receiving end of a lot of bad results/last day hopes.

    3. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Stanislas

    4. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Grealish (though 11 gameweeks without an attacking return), Stanislas, Soucek (but worry about WHU motivation). Don't know if Foden likely to start.

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

    Line up for the last gw (if no injuries of course):

    1FT, 0.3 IDB

    Pope
    Aurier Doherty Egan
    Sterling KDB Martial Bruno Antonio
    Jesus Wood

    Reina McBurnie Targett Lascelles*

    What to do here? Looking to get Kane. The easiest way is Jesus to Kane and maybe Antonio to Stanislas. Or something else?

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

      Can't happen through Martial or Bruno to Dilva?
      Or Doherty to Pieters/Bardsley/Long/Diop etc.?

  12. Olesathewheeel
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rashford Pulisic KDB Foden --> Sterling Mahrez DSilva Greenwood
    For -8

    Trailing ML leader by 8 points and he has FH

    Replies appreciated

    1. Martial Matas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't take the hits when so close to him. Maybe just Puli to DSilva? He's likely to get Sterling and DSilva anyway so if you take -8 the rest of your team needs to catch up 16pts.

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

        Sterling could single handedly make him win.. and it seems like he will start

        I have TC tho, Mahrez as a differential TC or should I go Kane?

        1. Martial Matas
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ah, a chip changes things. I'd get Sterling and TC him but probably max -4 to get it to work. What's the rest of your team?

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

            Pope
            Doherty Trent Aurier
            Martial Bruno KDB Foden Pulisic
            Kane Rashford

            1FT

            really wanna get sterling and mahrez but cant seem to without a -8

            hope rashford gives me a double digit haul tonight

            1. Martial Matas
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I've got Rash(c) tonight so fingers crossed!
              Not too fussed on Mahrez to be honest. Would Bruno & KDB to Sterling & DSilva work?

  13. H Dog
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No chips left, 30 points head right now. Stuck with this team and rival has free hit.

    Reina
    Long, TAA, Cresswell, Doherty
    Mane, Mahrez, Fernandes
    Rashford, Jimenez, Greenwood

    Bench: Foster, Sarr, Dendoncker, Holgate
    2.1ITB

    Was thinking Jimenez to Jesus but now realise I could get Kane in by downgrading Sarr and then bench doherty.

    Is Kane worth the added 4, or just move for Jesus? Or are there bigger problems in my team?

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

      Triple City should be priority.

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

        Only having Sterling here

  14. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all,

    thoughts on current FH draft? Chasing a 30 point lead in ML so need to go big and take risks

    Martinez

    Long / Bardsley / Pieters

    Salah / Sterling / KDB / Dilva / Antonio

    Kane / Auba

    Button / Nketiah / Branthwaite / Williams

    main consideration is wehther its worth downgrading KDB to Mahrez to allow Antonio to Martial / Fernandes?

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

      I have a similar team. Are you set on Auba? Would you consider going Auba & Long > Ings & TAA/Robbo or not?

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would. Antonio's had his 5 mins of fame. You should get more points with those picks.

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

    What about this

    TAA Robbo Aurier
    Salah Sterling KDB Dilva Martial
    Rashford Greenwood

    3 City, UTD and LFC

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

      Great team

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seems like a copy of a draft I did the other day 🙂

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

      Nice. But Kane vs cpa is a concern.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But I did Kane and Mahrez instead of Rash and KDB from memory

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

      I'd downgrade someone to do rashford to Kane . Kdb to mahrez maybe ?

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

    70pts with 8 to play up to 15k, but will Pulisic start?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Of course he would start

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

      I really hope he does

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

    Anyone else lost interest in Jesus and Aub for their FH38.

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

      Auba yes, Jesus I'm still unsure about, considering playing 3-5-2 with Kane and Ings

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

        thats what I'm looking at too.

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

      Think Jesus is nailed. Sterling false 9 isn't happening

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

        Nailed to do fekall though. That's the concern.

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

        Starting is one thing, doing something is another.

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

    What do you think is the more valuable chip:

    BB or FH?

    Which will yield more points?

    I have BB this week while a bunch of rivals have FH. I have triple City, triple United and double Burnley defense.

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

      BB

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

      FH

      BB going to be killed with subs

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

      BB is more valuable if your team is good vs FH teams.

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

      BB is by far the best chip in the game. If your team is awful FH could be better for you personally though

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

        You think? In terms of raw point value BB has no downside and all upside but you'll rarely get like 20+ points with it.

  19. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial and Foden -> Silva + Antonio?

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

      Yeah looks good

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

        Thanks but not sure I can trust you after yesterday 😆

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

          Lol , no hard feelings

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

          Big game West Ham v Villa can see Antonio getting a haul

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

            Yes indeed, villa improved defense but should be a more open game against a team like whu who are poor defensively themselves

        3. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe keep Martial and do Foden>Soucek or whatever his name is.

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

            But then I can't get s. Silva who is a legitimate captain option

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              True but Martial could also be a decent cap choice, you wouldn’t but he could haul in that even if it’s away.
              Soucek or whatever is a good option imo

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could backfire if Foden starts

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

        Think it's unlikely as d. Silva is the one who takes up the most similar positions. I'm moew concerned about removing Tones

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

      Why you getting rid of martial?

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

        Away game, should be a tentative affair with so much at stake. Also it's more a case of wanting d.silva in

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

      Not for me. Any other options?

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

        Doesn't look that good does it... Can't see any other way to get d. Silva .. 🙁

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

          Share the team? 2FTs?

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

      Not a huge fan of losing Martial. Anyone else you can remove?

      I think that Leicester game will be high scoring. They have to go for it and United are amazing on counter attack.

  20. stepper1971
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB and Greenwood to Sterling and Wood for a -4 Yay or Nay?

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

    Best gap fills?

    XXX
    XXX, Aurier, Pieters
    XXX, Salah, Sterling, Dilva, Martial
    Kane, Ings

    A. Pope+Bardsley+KDB (3 Burnley)
    B. Pope+VVD+Mahrez (2 Burnley)
    C. Martínez+TAA+Mahrez (1 Burnley)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A or C

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

    Chasing probably a 15-20 point lead depending on tonight

    Very similar teams

    Would u take this hit?

    KDB & Bruno OUT

    Sterling & Richarlison IN

    Worst case scenario is i remain behind

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

      Sterling cap

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva instead of Richarlison?

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

        Already have dilva

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

    Chance of Laca starting against Watford?

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

      Very high

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

        Would Nketiah takes his place as it is not an important match for ARS?

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

          Cant see it. Cup final a week away and arteta loles to rotate his striker

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

            As long as Nketiah doesn’t play one single minute in the cup final he can give him the minutes this weekend

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      22%

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

      50% I am tempted on FH

  24. Distinctly Average
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do here?

    Patricio
    AWB, TAA, Boly
    KDB, Sterling, Mahrez, Bruno, Saka
    Jimenez, Greenwood
    (Henderson, Nketiah, Egan, Lasc)

    2FT 2.1itb

  25. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looking ok on FH?

    Martinez
    Pieters VVD Bardsley
    Salah Mahrez Sterling Dilva Antonio
    Kane Ings

    Martin Nketiah Lamptey Thomas

    1. Davemc23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone similar but mine is currently:

      Martinez

      Alonso Digne Pieters Bardsley

      Salah Dilva Sterling Mahrez

      Kane Auba

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

    Is this hit worth it considering it only has one gameweek to repay itself?

    Doherty, Foden, Willian > Pieters, Dilva, Son (-4)

    Sterling(C)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

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

      I think you can do better than that personally with your FTs this week.

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

        Any thoughts 2FT 2.5ItB

        Henderson
        TAA Doherty Egan
        Sterling(C) Fernandes Pulisic Willian Foden
        Jesus Rashford

        Nyland DCL Lundstram Aarons

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

          Foden > D. Silva
          Willian > Antonio

          Is what I'd do.

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

            Have considered this. Thanks for the reply.

            Only issue is Villa need a point so imagine will be tight. They have defended really well too.

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

      I quite like it. I'm not sure Foden will start so bringing Dilva in could repay that hit single-handedly.

  27. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Something about this team doesn't convince me but it's all I got with no FH.

    Pope
    TAA Doh Digne
    Salah Sterling Dilva Bruno Martial
    Ings Greenwood

    Ings out for a hit doesn't seem appealing, but that's probably the only move I would make.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      G2g

  28. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Not feeling Diop on my FH now after that good showing from Villa yesterday. Just going with Sterling and D.Silva now too.

    A) Ederson + Tierney OR
    B) Martínez + Laporte

    Thanks

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

      I'd say A

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

    Draft A

    Pope*
    Long Tark* Aurier*
    Sterling Dilva Mahrez Bruno Salah
    Kane Rash*

    Draft B

    Martinez*
    Long Tark* Pieters*
    Sterling Dilva Mahrez Bruno Salah
    Kane Laca*

    Draft C

    Martinez*
    Long Bardsley* Pieters*
    Sterling Dilva Mahrez Bruno Salah
    Kane Auba*

    Which looks better?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A by a long way.

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

      Interesting to see Mahrez in all 3. I have little confidence he starts or isn’t taken off early having owned him last 6 games.

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

      Personally triple Burnley defence too much for me. High scoring final day likely and Brighton aren’t that bad. Could see it being 1-1. I’d probably say B out of these but with Aurier ahead of tark

  30. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have hated on Rashford for a few years no but hats off, the guy is now top class. Excellent season.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford is class, always done well whenever I had him. I have similar sentiments to you but about Martial, this season though Martial has proved me wrong and will be one of the first names on my team sheet next season

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I still have my doubts about Martial, has much more talent than Rashford but his attitude is the only thing holding him back.