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. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Foden a good option on WC? With gundogan testing positive for covid!

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

      His appeal has not changed. Still a rotation risk but so cheap he might be worth it

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If you have a decent bench sub for no shows and are willing to put up with the ocassional one pointer from bench - go for it

  2. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA and Bamford or Robbo and Mitro?

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Anyone who’s watched Liverpool’s games - how’s Trent looked? Attacking enough to warrant keeping him on WC over Robbo or Virgil?

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

      Still drunk from celebrations.

      Wouldn’t be going without on a WC.

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

        How about Robbo for a place holder? Getting into box a lot these days.

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

          Yeah he has, a lot more advanced. Has a bigger share on corners too.

          He’s a great option, as is Trent, but they’re looking pricey atm.

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

            Do you see a lot of clean sheets in the next few fixtures with Gomez out and VVD not looking at his best?

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

              Gomez knock was only minor, Klopp expected him back training early this week, Matip probably after the IB.

              Should be top CS team.

    2. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They looked alrite, but the red card definitely helped them in the second half.

    3. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looked much sharper than gw1. More free kicks as well. But not that advanced as usual.

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

      Going with him and Robertson for the season set & forget isn’t going to let you down, worth fitting them both in imo.

  4. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Burke has played well

  5. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Berge is a good midfielder. Big and has a good touch

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A powerful shot as well.

  6. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Commentator thought that was in lol

  7. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have two red cards on my bench. Transfer will be tricky.

  8. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With Semedo coming and probably Traore moving back to right wing.

    Isnt Neto the more likely one to fill in at left wing since he is left footed rather than podence who is right footed?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dont talk common sense, they dont want to listen

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

      You mean the spot that Jota mostly played in who is right footed? Don't think it matters but both will be rotation risks.

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

    That Man City back four looks pretty mediocre for a title challenging team, isn't it.

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

      They will just outscore their opponents every game.

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

      You’d think they’d back Pep & give him some cash to improve it.

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

        😆

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

      I'd say Stones is the only one out of his depth imo. Like the other 3

    4. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They wont face much offence.

    5. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well it's not their strongest back four is it

  10. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 midfield option?

    1. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James McCarthy with Palace fixtures.

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

      Think Olly Burke or Anguissa

    3. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Burke!

    4. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its really a terrible price segment for midfielders.

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

    Ramsdale > Martinez (-4)?

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      guiata

    2. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

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

      No way Jose..

  12. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    Taa-Dier-Mitchell
    Auba-Harvetz-Bruno-Soucek
    Martial-Werner -Adams

    4m-Taylor-Egan-Biss

    Painful 1st 2 Gws. Egan was the cherry on top.

    What to do -

    A) Auba > KDB/Sterling
    B) Auba+harvetz > KDB/sterling + Zaha (-4)
    C) Auba+harvetz+Adams > KDB+Zaha+Jimi (-8)
    D) Any recommendations?
    E) wildcard

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A, likely KdB, but dependent on performances tonight

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.
        The urge to WC is so strong

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

          I know the feeling... trying to hold strong. Think i will take a couple -4 over the next 2 weeks to sort out some fires. Ive got biss, ASM, Egan and Adams in the squad..

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lundstram on pens? 😆 what a guy

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He was

  14. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC pulled

    Martinez
    James, VVD, Saiss
    KDB, Son, Salah, JRod
    Mitro, Jimi, DCL

    Steer, Mitchell, Anguisa, Lamptey

    Son will become Puli when he's up to speed I think.

    1. Gaffa914
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Get jesus

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        guiata

  15. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Delighted I got Martinez on WC - not really genius more of an after thought getting rid of McCarthy

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

      Nice, I imagine most wcers had a terrible week so this is the light at the end of their tunnel

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        By the end of it I should get at least 60 not earth shattering but not terrible. Team in way better shape had double saints and double spurs defence plus Alli gw1 - would have been dire this week!

        Got price rises as well and even took a -4 this week 😀
        No one I transferred out this week did well unless you count KWP with 3! 😀
        So I feel fairly jammy compared to those who got rid of Son/Kane/Mitrovic on WC.

  16. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Davis settling the 4.5 F argument until Brewlad gets a move

    I still want both in 4-5-1, but Sterling has to prove he's worth selling Jimmy for... Which, err, isn't so straightforward

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

      Not like there was much of an argument anyway

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

    Auba and Egan to Sterling and Castagne with my 2ft? Leaves me with double Leicester defence but don't think it's too bad.

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

      Wait til the end of the game. But I do like those

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Double Leicester Def right before city

      • Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ...against City

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

          Can just play Castagne but after that Leicester fixtures are juicy

      • diabydoesgallas
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Like this

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

      So instead of Bruno and Martial in the bench in GW1, we should’ve had Mings and Konsa. Ok FPL.

    4. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Foden is a trap, pep will rotate to protect him from burning out.

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

        Better to burn out than to fade away as Kylie Minogue used to say.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          The Kurgan from Highlander

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

          One of the finest philosophers of our times

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

      Lamptey or Justin? Thinking Lamptey purely because of longevity

      1. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Justin because of points

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

        Lamptey

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

        Lamptey is more nailed and a much better player

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

        Lamptey no doubt

      5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I got the two of them on WC plus Digne.
        Think both Lamptey and Justin look like the value defenders this year for sure.
        Lamptey more fun to own in fpl the way he plays. Makes TAA look defensive.
        As you say Justin could lose his place. But he can play across the back as in form. Might be hard to drop.

    6. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan (c) in Sky

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

        Wow.

      2. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Forgot the early k.o

        Left in on him until I saw the City team sheets to bring in one of KdB/Sterling 😎

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Now I have no City players either..
          #winning

      3. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nice.

      4. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Puntiest punt

    7. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would you WC this team or a -4 enough? (1FT/0.0itb)

      McCarthy*
      Lamptey* - Ayling* - TAA ---- Justin Vinagre*
      Auba* - ASM* - Salah - Rodriguez --- Bissouma*
      Werner - Mitro - Martial*

      - I can get by this gw with my front 7 if i do auba/asm >> sterling/podence
      - My defence is looking really bad this gw given lamptey/justin's tough fixture and vinagre dropped

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

        WC

      2. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        wouldn't wildcard that

      3. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really? Martial? Cmon now

      4. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        mixed opinions, really confused!

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

      Best thing about playing WC is that Button is back in my team. Was getting sick of seeing Steer's ugly mug

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

        Punt Forster.

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

          Guaita for me

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

            For the 4.0m.

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

              Johnstone surely on borrowed time

    9. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Villa cant even win comfortably against 10 men team. Huge mistake bringing in Grealish.

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

        He was always a trap

    10. Kasper the ghost keeper
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves 13/2 to beat City. Any takers?

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Stranger things have happened

      2. Das Boot
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Was thinking about this as a bet earlier before checking the odds. Thats a great price

      3. Das Boot
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        7/1 with Boyle sports

        1. Kasper the ghost keeper
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Paddy power just gone to 7/1 also. Worth a tenner I think!

          1. Das Boot
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            done. I'm in

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

        Well worth a punt. City will be rusty and wolves looked a force last week

    11. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This idiot with Ramsdale.

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

      KDB playing behind Jesus. This could make my attention shift from Sterling to KDB!

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

        He plays more attacking in hard games and deeper in easy games. Was like this all of last season.

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

          It could be a little different with no Dilva this year

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

        KDB goes right, hangs it up to the far post, Jesus going up for the cross, goooooal!!!

    13. kempc23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ramsdale anywhere near a save point?

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

        Only 1 save so far, and that was by accident.

    14. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Aston Villa? they looked terrible against a 10 men SHU

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

        Half decent defensively. Avoid anything further up the pitch imo

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

      Need Sterling, Jesus & Jimmy to impress tonight without scoring.