Dugout Discussion

Villa debuts for Watkins, Cash and Martínez as Burke deployed OOP

Aston Villa have handed Premier League debuts to three key new signings for their first match of the 2020/21 season.

Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) slots straight in at the apex of Dean Smith’s front-three, flanked by Jack Grealish (£7.0m) and Trézéguet (£5.5m).

Fresh from defensive improvements during Project Restart, the Villa defence features Matty Cash (£5.0m) at right-back for the first time while Arsenal’s post-lockdown goalkeeper Emi Martínez (£4.5m) is between the sticks.

Interestingly, Villa’s two most-popular Fantasy assets in Ørjan Nyland (£4.0m) and Keinan Davis (£4.5m) both miss out on a place in the starting XI.

Jed Steer (£4.0m) has been turned to as the second-choice goalkeeper, while centre-forward Davis backs up Watkins from the bench, where is joined by Anwar El Ghazi (£6.0m).

The exciting news coming out of the Sheffield United camp is a the position deployment of FPL midfielder Oliver Burke (£4.5m) up-front.

Chris Wilder has handed him a Blades’ debut in the front-two of his 3-5-2 formation alongside David McGoldrick (£5.5m).

Oliver Norwood drops to the bench as the Sheffield United manager goes with a midfield trio of John Fleck (£6.0m), Sander Berge (£5.0m) and John Lundstram (£5.5m).

John Egan (£5.0m) is therefore handed the captain’s armband in Norwood’s absence, as he sits at the heart of an unchanged defence.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Hourihane, D Luiz, McGinn; Grealish, Watkins, Trézéguet.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Berge, Lundstram, Baldock; Burke, McGoldrick.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

1,407 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can anyone mention how many games will Egan miss?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      that wasn't violent, so 1 right?

    3. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1 most likely

  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saiss going to have huge ownership now thanks to Egan

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hopefully the .1 price rise will price people out before they realise

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          And they buy Justin instead.

      • JamTart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Will hopefully help make up for all the price falls I'm going to have if I don't WC!

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea shd have gone for martinez

      17m looks like a steal with some of the prices being dished out for keepers theae days

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I still can't see how Leno is better

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            He's not. He makes errors all the time. Martinez is better GK.

            Leno = Karius

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

              Leno=Karius? Even Karius would deny that!

            2. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Lol leno has made a few mistakes but had far more top top performances

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

              Martinez is a beast but jeez, you really don’t watch Arsenal do you. Leno saved us so much under Emery and his filthy football

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  I think arsenal fans have a unique tendency to overrate certain players. Leno didn't do anything special, he made high volumes of basic saves because arsenal were crap, once in a blue moon it would be a very good save but Martinez outshone him in every department imo. Only thing going against Martinez is the small sample

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

                    I think Martínez is better tbh but it is what it is. To say Leno makes errors all the time is just stupid, Martinez played under Arteta and a more compact defence, whereas Leno played under Emery allowing 30 shots against us every game.

            4. Right In The Stanchion
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              He’s just a bit more commanding. Close call. He needed 1st team football and arsenal let him leave on good terms.

            5. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Leno is pretty good too but i like martinez a lot. Only tuing that wasnt in his favour was that he only did it for a dozen games. But dont remember him making aby obvious mistake in those games

            6. Manani
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              martinez has only 1 good half season only so far. Leno safer choice

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

            Wouldn’t have been 17m if he went there would he...

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah but chelsea can afford to pay 30m for him

          3. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Agreed

          4. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Good point actually. But again as I said before maybe Martinez wanted 100% assurance he'd be first choice.

        • Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Martinez essential now he’s saved a pen?

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Definitely. Son to score five in GW3. Santa told me this.

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Did he mention anything about Mayo winning Sam in December? 😉

              1. GreennRed
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Sure that's why I rang him.

            2. AuFeld
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              At least five.

          2. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            He was a very good option regardless. This will bump up the transfers in no doubt though.

        • threeputt
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Hands up Martinez owners (me included) who was just waiting for the peno retake ?

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

            Looked like he went off his line to me. No idea why they dont show the hawk eye view replay for every penalty.

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

          Haven't been following the match. How has Villa looked in general in the first half? Feel like they should've scored with SHU down to 10 men ?

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            And how is Grealish doing?

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

              That too. Looking to accommodate him in my WC

              1. GreennRed
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Barnes, Zaha, Costa, Grealish, Foden, Rodders,possibly Pereira enably-looking prices for good players, though 2 games too soon to see form.

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

                  Grealy vs Fulham is tempting though.

        • Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Carra talking nonsense here. Just because the linesman bottled it to give anything doesn't mean the ref is wrong. Just means the linesman is the incompetent one.

        • aapoman
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Would you wild card? Have 2ft though. * denotes a player I really want to get rid.

          McCarthy*
          TAA Saiss Justin Ayling*
          Salah Auba* Havertz*
          Werner Richarlison Mitro

          Peacock*; Egan*, Bissouma*, Reed

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

            No just take a couple of hits, give it a few weeks & you will want to WC again.

            I had 2FT but probably taking a. -8 to get rid of McCarthy & Egan

            1. aapoman
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thinking if Auba and Egan to Sterling and Castagne is enough. Would leave me with 2 Leicester defenders but that's not an issue at the moment.

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

                Just watch city match to see which of KDB or Razz is looking best.
                Egan’s got to go dropping in price?

        • Dr. Rog
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Walton to steer for a hit?

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Go for it

          2. aapoman
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            lol never

          3. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yup

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

            And captain him

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              And Vicecaptain Bissouma if u have him

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          How many playing Lamptey(MUN) and or Justin(mci) this week?

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Im benching Justin

          2. Dr. Rog
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Worrying if that’s the case

            1. Top Lad Dakes.
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Both very attacking. If City are on it Justin can be benched.

          3. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Me. Also have Mitchell vs everton. Who should i bench out of these 3?

        • Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Carragher is talking nonsense. How is this guy allowed to be a pundit on a major sports channel? The decision is wrong because the referee is too far away? What kind of logic is that? It’s just unbeliveable how he can’t even build a simple logical argument.

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

            If you work for Sky, you’re allowed to spit at people apparently.

          2. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wenger-logic. I didn't see it so it couldn't have happened.

        • Pedram
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lundstram on -2, how the mighty has fallen

        • Joey Tribbiani
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I am the rival Micah Richards was speaking about

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            *Laughs involuntary*

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

            Lol seriously

          3. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            How you doing?

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Would you take Ferguson over Mitchell on WC? Likely to be first choice when he’s back, hopefully soon?

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I guess if you're not playing Mitchell sure

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

            Nah, Mitchell likely to go up in price once more I'd expect.

          3. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I've yet to see any info that indicates that Ferguson will be returning soon. Stick with Mitchell.

          4. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            One in the hand

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

          Do we think the new Chelsea GK goes straight into the team replacing Kepa vs WBA?

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

            As soon as he's ready. Hopefully not long.

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

              Have James in my WC team, no Kepa would make more appealing. What do you think, is his place at threat?

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

                Kinda. Reece will get more time this year. I'm also looking at him

              2. diabydoesgallas
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Kepa is done

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Probs Caballero against Brom

            • Klaren
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Even if he arrived an hour before the match, I’d imagine he’d replace Kepa.

              1. Klaren
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Unless Caballero plays. Just don’t think Kepa will play again.

            • St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Surely. Frank will be in net himself soon if not.

          3. Bank$y
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Grealish auto-corrects to Freakish.

            That’s all.

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Autocorrects to Greenish for me

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

              How has he played in the first half?

            3. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Childish

          4. The Senate
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            pending information from the city game, thoughts?
            (A) Auba + ASM -> KDB +Podence (-4)
            (B) WC and also sell: Ramsdale, KWP, Davies, Bissouma, Rashford

            Ramsdale/4.0
            TAA Davies KWP
            Salah Auba Rash ASM*
            Martial DCL Mitro
            (Mitchell Justin Bissouma*)

            1. Aidan269
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Obviously wait till after the City game

          5. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Mendy expected to come in around 5.0?

            1. dark91
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              No should be 4.5

            2. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              5.5

              1. Top Lad Dakes.
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Steep

          6. Bank$y
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Hopefully Chelski got it right this time when Frank asked Roman to Mendy the Kepa problem.

          7. Sandy Ravage
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Any news on Pulisic?

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yes he's a Christian

              1. Bank$y
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Hobbies include soccer and visiting the physio.

          8. gers23
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Strike line of Kane, Jiminez and Jesus far too expensive do we think? On Wildcard

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not so much the expense as Jesus doesn't convince me yet and Aguero can take his gametime.

            2. The Senate
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              If you don't mind ditching one of Salah/Trent go for it -

            3. Gudjohnsen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Better value in Son than Kane imo

            4. AuFeld
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Only if they don't return points.

          9. SoapAFC
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Egan -> Lamptey
            asm -> barnes

            for a -4?

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yes

            2. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Lol

            3. OPTA FPL
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              very good

          10. Werner Bremen
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Martinez saving my gameweek like it's nothing. The real hero

          11. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Keep 2 on WC of:
            A) Justin
            B) KWP
            C) Taylor/Dunne

          12. The Wizard of Ozil
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Didn’t think this week could get any worse, cheers Egan

          13. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Will bookies lay odds for penalty saves?

          14. Squires FC
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            How has burke looked? Went for him as bench fodder

            1. ivantys
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              His pass won a penalty

          15. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Feels good to own Martinez

          16. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I'm hearing about fresh restrictions amidst a rise in Covid cases in London. Likely to affect the league?

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not in UK but sport's carrying on here.Behind closed doors and players are tested so prob not affecting PL.

              1. EmreCan Hustle
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers

          17. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Who' s everyone C next GW?

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

              Salah

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

              Werner

            3. DF
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              On kdb for now

            4. AuFeld
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Bruno.