Scout Notes

Save potential and improved Villa defence boost Martínez’s FPL appeal

Aston Villa 1-0 Sheff Utd

  • Goals: Ezri Konsa (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Tyrone Mings (£5.0m)
  • Penalties saved: Emi Martínez (£4.5m)
  • Penalties missed: John Lundstram (£5.5m)
  • Red cards: John Egan (£5.0m)
  • Bonus points: Konsa x3, Martínez x2, Mings x1

Aston Villa’s defence picked up where they left on in Project Restart as they saw out a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in Gameweek 2.

Dean Smith’s men made major improvements at the back following the enforced suspension of the Premier League, ranking inside the division’s top six for big chances conceded, shots on target faced and expected goals conceded (xGC).

And all of that was on display against the Blades, as they registered a third successive home clean sheet in the league.

A key player in that shutout was new goalkeeper Emi Martínez (£4.5m), who already looks like a strong contender for the best option in his price bracket moving forward.

The former Arsenal man was on-hand to preserve the Villa clean sheet on Monday night as he produced an incredible save from John Lundstram‘s (£5.5m) penalty. Combined with the shut-out and a total of two bonus, Martínez registered a 13-point haul for Gameweek 2.

That said, for all Villa’s assuredness at the back on Monday night, there was, of course, one big mitigating factor: Sheffield United. Not only have the Blades really struggled to find any kind of goal threat in their first two games, but they also had to play 78 minutes of Gameweek 2 with 10 men.

A long ball over the top of Sheffield United’s high line pitted the rapid Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) against John Egan (£5.0m) in the 12th minute. The centre-back had no choice but to hold the striker back, earning a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

Chris Wilder was then forced to remove David McGoldrick (£5.5m) in the 31st minute, replacing him with Ethan Ampadu (£4.5m) and deploying a largely ineffective 4-4-1 formation.

While most teams would have found it relatively easy to keep a clean sheet in such circumstances, there is still plenty to like about Martínez moving forward. With Villa generally more assured of defensive returns at home anyway, the fact that Leeds, Southampton, Brighton and Newcastle are four of the next five to visit Villa Park bodes well.

And even though Smith’s men are set to face Liverpool (home), Leicester (away), Arsenal (away) and Wolves (away) between now and Gameweek 12, Martínez displayed enough save potential during Project Restart to convince any potential buyers of his credentials outside of the favourable fixtures. During that period, only the relegated Tim Krul made more saves than the Spaniard (28).

Martínez also looks like the better option when compared with Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) or Tyrone Mings (£5.0m), even though we have only seen Villa play once this season. The former scored the only goal of the game but it was his only touch in the penalty box all night, while Mings arguably remains too expensive to consider seriously.

Furthermore, one of the main things that Smith changed to improve his team’s defensive prospects at the end of last season was to rein in the marauding runs made by his full-backs so it remains to be seen what Matt Targett (£4.5m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m) can offer this season.

As was well-documented during Project Restart, the more conservative use of Villa’s full-backs continues to pose some restrictions on the team’s level of goal threat, so Fantasy managers may want to give Smith’s front-three a little more time before investing too heavily.

Naturally, Jack Grealish (£7.0m) remains the hub of the team, creating chances and using his position as a left-hand wide-forward to register a healthy number of shots on goal. Against Sheffield United, he was mostly restricted to lower quality opportunities, the sort we are used to seeing from Mohamed Salah (£12.1m). An 80th-minute effort summed up his evening perfectly. Grealish showed some nice feet to get into the left-hand corner of the box, flashing a powerful shot at goal and grazing the outside of the post. 

Then, Grealish got on the end of a counter-attacking cross from Trézéguet (£5.5m) in stoppage time, unleashing a fierce left-footed shot, only to see it blocked by Lundstram and a crowd of Sheffield United defenders.

The addition of Watkins may help in that respect. He added some much-needed pace to Villa’s front-line, which he used to good effect and might have capitalised on it, were it not for Egan’s 12th-minute foul. He went close again in the 77th minute, cutting inside on the left-hand side of the box and curling an effort just over the top-right corner of Aaron Ramsdale‘s (£5.0m) goal.

Meanwhile, the state of Sheffield United’s defence will be of encouragement to Fantasy managers with Leeds and Arsenal assets in the coming weeks.

The Blades have been on the back foot for large spells in each of their first two games of the season and must face an in-form Leeds attack without the lynch-pin of their back-three on Sunday afternoon, as Egan is suspended for one match. Promising youngster Ampadu is perhaps the most likely to replace the Republic of Ireland international.

Meanwhile, the next five Gameweeks pit Sheffield United against sides with important Fantasy defenders too, including Leeds, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Anyone invested in the backlines of those sides will have enjoyed what they have seen, or rather, haven’t seen, from Sheffield United so far this season.

After the first two Gameweeks, no club has registered fewer shots than Wilder’s men (13) and they are the only team yet to find the net in 2020/21.

There will be some Fantasy managers keeping an eye on Sheffield United’s attack though, as budget midfielder Oliver Burke (£4.5m) was deployed as a centre-forward on Monday night.

Unfortunately, Egan’s sending-off occurred too soon in the game for us to glean too much of what Burke can offer as an out-of-position option this season, perhaps something to look out for in subsequent matches.

Despite being left to plough a lone furrow in a 4-4-1 formation, the former West Bromwich Albion man did perform admirably in the rare moments when he was in possession. Burke showed off his pace on sparing counter-attacks and was denied an almost certain assist in the first half by a Targett foul.

He played an incredible through-pass from the edge of the box, which connected with the overlapping run of Chris Basham (£5.0m) inside Villa’s six-yard box. It looked to be a certain goal before Targett stuck out a leg and fouled the marauding defender.

With Oliver Norwood (£5.0m) and Billy Sharp (£6.0m) not in the starting line-up and McGoldrick already sacrificed for tactical reasons, Lundstram was the man to step up and take the penalty, having also assumed responsibility for corners. As already mentioned, it was not a bad effort at all, simply well-saved by Martínez. Whether the former budget defender gets another chance from the spot probably relies on personnel rather than the quality of his penalty. The chances of Norwood, Sharp and McGoldrick all being off the pitch the next time Sheffield United win a penalty seems rather unlikely.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Konsa, Mings, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz, Hourihane (Davis 62′); Grealish, Watkins, Trézéguet.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; O’Connell, Egan, Basham (McBurnie 68′); Stevens, Fleck (Osborn 63′), Berge, Lundstram, Baldock; McGoldrick (Ampadu 31′), Burke.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

2,162 Comments Post a Comment
  1. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at how city started, and how good their fixtures are, is it a mistake to only go with KDB on wildcard?

    Hard to get Jesus or Foden in without ditching jimenez or Rodriguez.

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

      Its not mistake,City have decent fixtures

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

      I'm on a WC and I'm even considering sterling and kdb double up. I'm really far behind already and I'm partly regretting my wild card as it was slightly knee jerk, but if I'm to try and make up ground and even get ahead Im seriously thinking about going all in. Foden isn't as appealing though as mahrez will get lots of minutes also.

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

        36 games of strong, solid, stable FPL aiming to maximise points without silly risks will probably help you climb up the ranks more than trying to make punts and 'go all in' after two weeks.

        Not saying the move of doubling up is bad at all - it could be really good. I just don't like your reasoning.

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

      Would definitely have at least one of Jesus/Foden on WC.

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

      I've gone all out, took -4 for both KDB and Sterling

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

    1 ft left
    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Egan Dier KWP Mitchell
    Son Kdb Salah ASM Ceballos
    Mitro Werner Wilson
    I am looking to transfer out ASM

  3. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Trossard this season??

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

      one of the best cheap mids

  4. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My WC team ready and g2g?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Saiss - Castagne (Mitchell & Lamptey)
    KDB - Salah - Jrod - Podence (Alzate)
    Bamford - Jimmy - Werner

    Any changes?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You're a bit stuck with Bamfords price point up front, make him a 6.5 and you have many more options.

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

        Who/what would you change to facilitate for a 6.5? Ie, someone like Maupay?

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Either downgrade Werner to Ings or chip away at your defence.
          Taa>Robbo
          Castagne>a playuer who rotates with Lamptey. Forgot who rotates with him now, KWP does, maybe Burnley do as well. If Burnley do, then Dunne is a playing 4.0 at the moment, or Taylor at 4.5.

          Isnt Ferguson the one exp[ected to have a spot in the future, Mitchell is playing now. I have Ferguson based on what everyone here says.

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Its not that big a deal, you could keep Bamford, but its not easy to escape when his points inevitably dry up. You could just leave some money in the bank Theres just way more options at 6.5, Antonio, Wood, Maupay, Mitro, Wilson etc

  5. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Team gtg for next week?

    Guaita
    Lamptey - Saiss - Digne
    Son - (K)DB - Zaha - Bruno
    DCL - Jimi - Wood
    Nyland, KWP, Elneny, Ferguson

    Play Lamptey over KWP? Lamptey has Man U @ H, KWP has Burnley away. 2.5 itb no FT

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

    On WC
    A) Son and Foden
    B) Zaha and Rodriguez

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    5. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B, surprised A is so popular. B for me given Foden starts arent secure and his poisition varies.
      In an ideal world where Foden is nailed and plays attacking each game then A better, but this is reality 😀

    6. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for me

    7. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Pick one..

    1. Foden & Wood/Maupay
    2. Jrod & Bamford

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

      A

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

      Depends. I'd take 1 if you have DCL or Richarlison. Otherwise 2

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

    g2g? 2fts have been used

    McCarthy
    TAA Castagne Saiss Ayling
    Salah KDB Havertz
    Werner Richarlison Mitro

    4.0; Justin, Reed, Bissouma

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

    Who would you choose?

    A Podence +1m
    B Foden

    Cheers

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

      A

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

    1) TAA + Son
    2) Reece James + Sterling

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

      A

  11. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Eyeing up Adams/Bissouma > Brewster/Under in a week or two...

    Thoughts on McCarthy > Martinez for a hit?

  12. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Trying to determine if more valuable having a better 5th MF or 3rd striker:

    A) Bissouma + BAMFORD
    B) PODENCE/DIANGANA + Davis (non playing)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence. Do not make the decision based on the bench player.

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

      B

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

        With Podence

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

    Okay, some more tinkering... this ready?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo - Castagne - Saiss (Lamptey & Mitchell)
    Salah - KDB - Podence - Foden (Alzate)
    Werner - Jimmy - DCL

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

      I have exact same atm on my wc, only difference taa and James instead of Robbo and Castagne

      I’m only missing son tbh but you can’t fit them all in. I think Werner eventually will explode

  14. mike09
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC team?

    Martinez
    James - Saiss - Lamptey
    Salah - KDB - Son - Hamez
    Jimenez - Ings - DCL

    4.0 - Justin - Mitchell - Burke

    I could do Lamptey, Ings to VVD, Mitro.

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

    Thoughts on this WC draft? not sure if my midfield is too light

    Martinez -- Steer
    Taa Saiss Taylor --- Lamptey Justin
    Salah KDB Foden Podence -- Reed
    DCL Jimmy Werner

    Options to improve the mid
    A) Convert Werner and Podence >> Son + Mitro and keep foden
    B) Convert Jimmy and Foden >> Son + Mitro....keep podence
    C) Convert Werner and Reed >> Son + Brewster and play 352

  16. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard? Thanks!

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss Castagne
    Salah Podence KDB Son Foden
    Jimenez DCL

    Steer Lamptey Taylor Brewster

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Taa digne kwp james awb, pick one to bench? Or start all? And sell asm for a hit for podence and start him ?

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

      Bench walker pieters

  18. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does anyone have the team ID of the guy who is no 1 in Half of Fame? Would like to see how he's doing

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      37262

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

      Fabio Borges team id is 440328

  19. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    wilson to wood
    or
    martial to jiminez

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

      Wilson to Wood

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Too early to lose Martial

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

        yep thats the play ,newcastle not gonna score that many ,i will still be able to afford jimi next week anyway if tony is still crap ,cheers lads

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

      Wood

  20. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you WC this team or a -4 enough?

    (1FT/0.0itb)
    McCarthy*
    Justin* - Davies* - TAA
    Auba* - ASM* - Salah - Bruno
    Adams* - Wilson* - Werner

    (*) = hard fixture next / out of form

    Areas to improve:
    - City players
    - Everton players
    - Wolves defence
    - Goalkeeper
    - Son/Kane

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

      Auba & ASM to KDB & Podence

  21. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So I might be Dunne here...

    Martínez

    TAA Saiss Justin

    Salah KDB Rodríguez Klich

    Werner DCL Jiménez

    Bench: 4.0 Mitchell Dunne Anguissa

    No money left...

    Comments, anyone?

    Prefer Klich for his nailedness and pens. I would prefer to have just 1 from Everton but not sure if I should drop DCL or Hamez. Werner could become anyone else after next game, especially if he fails...

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

      Hope it Klichs for ya

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

        😀 cheers

  22. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo James Saiss Mitchell (Ferguson)
    Son Salah KDB Sterling (Burke)
    Richarlison Wood (Brewster)

    Gtg?

  23. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm doing terribly in fpl but my fanteam has been doing great. Wish it was the other way round lol

  24. SuperDan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who’s the best 4.5 Mid to get on WC?

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

      Reed

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma

    3. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bissouma has looked good

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma even with a suspension as long as you dont need to pay him

  25. borispkpk
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. TAA + podence
    B. VVD + Zaha

    1. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a

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

    Does Brewster become a good option if he moves to Palace?

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

      No doubt but probably wouldn’t trust starting him initially

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He won't go

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not based on anything, just they have Zaha, Bats and Ayew already

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

      He is not moving to Palace, fake news

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

    Are folk going with DLC or James as the priority on a WC.

    For me it's DLC since he's the spearhead benefiting from the other's ability

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      DCL is the better option. A

  28. Glad He Ate Her
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    a) Jesus + James

    b) Bamford + Sterling

  29. Mortal.Swinbat
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice here?

    Already taken a -4, not sure if I should WC. My team looks strong for this week on paper but have assets who are underperforming.

    Was 15k after GW1, now I'm 490k after a poor GW2.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Saiss, James, Doherty
    Salah, KDB, Podence
    Werner, Martial, DCL

    Steer, Mitchell, Reed, Bissouma

    Ideally I'd like to switch to 343, bring in Son & Jiminez. Not sure if it's worth a WC. Werner (well...Chelsea more so) and Martial looked poor and I worry about the sizzling form of Jimi and Son.

    Cheers

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Your team is much better than the people who are WC'ing.

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

    I'm still very cautious about the Villa defence. The numbers post lockdown were amazing, but as we've seen already, that can be an unreliable period to draw from. And their only game this season so far was against a 10-man Sheffield team, who are usually blunt in attack anyway, even at full strength.

    I still feel Martinez is likely the best option, just edging out Ryan, but not completely sold...

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Still Villa and Brighton at the end of the day. Neither team known for their defensive exploits. Im sure they will get some decent returns at points, but someone like Guaita looks way better imo and only 0.5 more.