Dugout Discussion

One change apiece for Villa and Southampton as Walcott starts over Redmond

Bertrand Traore (£5.9m) has been handed his first league start since signing for Aston Villa, replacing Trezeguet (£5.4m) for Sunday lunchtime’s hosting of Southampton.

Head coach Dean Smith had stuck with the same starting XI when facing Liverpool, Leicester and Leeds but has opted to select the summer arrival from Lyon.

The back five have kept three clean sheets from five matches, a total only passed by a Wolves side who have played seven times. Emiliano Martinez (£4.8m) is FPL’s highest-scoring and most-selected goalkeeper, boosted by his penalty save against Sheffield United.

Ahead of him, both Tyrone Mings (£5.2m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) have already contributed a goal to Villa’s impressive start, whilst talisman Jack Grealish’s (£7.3m) 24-point haul against Liverpool has played him into almost 30% of teams.

That incredible 7-2 victory over the champions also brought a goal from Ross Barkley (£6.0m), who provides an interesting cheaper route into the Villans midfield. With consistent minutes and the possibility of penalty duty, the loanee could soon be an enticing option.

The big question is whether Patrick Bamford’s (£5.9m) hat-trick for Leeds last week has brought them back down to Earth after a 100% winning start.

Southampton’s only change is to replace Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) from the side which beat former leaders Everton 2-0 at St Mary’s. The winger missed earlier matches due to an ankle injury but remains on the bench here, with Theo Walcott (£5.8m) taking his place.

With knocks to only Moussa Djenepo (£5.4m) and Will Smallbone (£4.5m) and a lack of match fitness for new signing Mohammed Salisu (£4.3m), manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has also been able to name consistent line-ups.

The clean sheet against the Toffees was their third from four matches, responding brilliantly to their 5-2 collapse against Tottenham in Gameweek 2.

This has provided regular returns for the popular Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m), although the latter has already collected three yellow cards.

Up front, only a trio of strikers have amassed more points than Danny Ings (£8.5m). Despite a large pre-season price hike, he still provides a reliable option up front for Fantasy managers. His 22 goals of last season have been added to with four this time, taking a break last week to assist both goals against Everton.

ASTON VILLA XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Douglas Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins

SOUTHAMPTON XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott; Adams, Ings

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,368 Comments Post a Comment
  1. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Greenwood an option if he starts tonight?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      got a feeling he still taking punishment for breaking rules on England duty. Hence expect James and Mata to play some games instead of him every now and then.

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Soucek/Brewster to cover the blanks

  2. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Danny Ings grab a hattie for me please...

  3. Zalk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How can there be any controversy in that offside? He was offside so VAR ruled him offside.

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

      It wasnt even close, half a yard offside...

  4. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    JWP yc in his birthday

  5. Hattrick Harry
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    JWP yc cynical and right

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

    Who's on pens for Villa?

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

    You'd really feel for Adams owners, if there were any

  8. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy might actually be the worst keeper in the league now that Kepa is out.

    He has poor distribution, average positioning and nothing special at stopping shots.

    Fulham have Areola who's better imo and even Johnstone I think is better. Ramsdale also put up a good showing at City and has better reflexes.

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hehe. Areola...

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t think he is that bad. I’d say he’s average though

    3. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pickford..

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ah damn you might have got me. We know he 'can' be good though.

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I've seen McCarthy have some good games, the one against Man city last season sticks out. He does seem very inconsistent though.

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Camzy you forgot that keeper that is injuring players (maybe on purpose)

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Of the first choice GKs, then Ramsdale is the worst for me. Followed by McCarthy and Ryan.

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

        Guaita is doing his best to be terrible

    5. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Harsh. He's a very streaky keeper whose a solid shot stopper. Not the best but he's fought for his place and deserves it for now.

  9. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Ings really worth the extra over Adams?

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

      no

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

      no imo

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes, better finisher

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

      Absolutely 🙂

    5. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Had pens so yes

    6. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ings will finish on 200 points or thereabouts. Adams probably 130 at best. Make of that what you will.

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

    Barkley a good alternative to Grealish. He is on set pieces too !

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

      Not any more. Terrible FK

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

        Don’t forget he is 1.3m cheaper and could be on pens too.
        I got him in this week...let’s see ...

  11. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The arabic commentary calling Grealesh Girlish not a good sign for any returns !:D

    1. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lol, what stream are you watching?

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bein channel .. want the stream link?

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Box Office are giving you language options now? It's the least they could do for £14.95 I guess. 🙂

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No I'm not in UK the premier League is on bein sports channel

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

      Hahaha I hate listening to the Arabic commentary, it’s like he is always excited for nothing while saying half the names wrong 🙂

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yea 😀 true that

  12. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA, Mitro out. Best duo in?

    A) Chillwell, DCL
    B) Coufal, Werner

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I was thinking Chilwell and Antonio if fit

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This is awkward to watch as Ings,Grealis,KWP,McCarthy owner lol.

    A Barkley goal would actually kill me so bad

  14. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is that red for Grealish?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      from flashscore commentary: "It looks like Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) saw red with that tackle. Darren England won't tolerate such behaviour on the pitch and blows for a foul."

      I got scared.

      not watching the game

  15. Hattrick Harry
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Villa leak continues, terrible team

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      we were biased by one game against liverpool ::(

    2. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just ain’t got going again!

      1. villa_til_i_die
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I did warn against getting villa defenders in!

        1. Hattrick Harry
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Good advice!

    3. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Getting Mings was bad decision
      Got me zero last week and now lost CS ...

  16. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hodor scored

  17. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vestergaard is a beast

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ffs great goal but no Ings involvement

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      🙁

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

    Why the F is McGinn marking the giant Vestergaard...... school boy stuff

  20. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vestergaard..
    causals win again

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6, 7, 7, 6, 7+

      ...bloody casuals!!!!

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry Grealish owners, I broke him. I've just brought him in.

  22. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vestergaard with ridiculous point totals. Completely under the radar

    1. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Best centrehalf in PL

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How is Grealish looking lads?

    All I can see from the commentary that he is involved:

    "11 'Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) sends in the corner, but fails to find the head of any of his teammates, allowing the defence to clear.
    10' That was close by Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)! He receives a pass on the edge of the box and shoots, but the ball goes inches wide of the right post.
    8' The game is interrupted as Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) is flagged offside."

  24. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    southampton keep impressing.

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vestergaard the better pick this season than KWP in hindsight!

  26. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Southampton to be top of the league by December. Not joking.

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vestergaard and Zouma making us rethink a bit whether attacking fullbacks are the way to go.. They still are but certainly food for thought

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

    At this point does it really matter if villa concede?

    Everyone who will eventually finish top 50k owns him

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't and I hope to finish there,,
      Have double southampton defence still haha

    2. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Those who didn’t wildcard early to triple up on Aston Villa have no chance of top 50k? Bit harsh

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

        Thats not what i said read again

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

          Well you said everyone that will finish top 50k owns Martinez. But if you didn't WC early, you're not going to have Martinez are you?

        2. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I assume you meant Martinez? I was exaggerating but plenty of people who haven’t wildcarded don’t have him. (Those who have wildcarded have gone strong on Villa)

  29. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez CS robbed!

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He's been stealing CSs for weeks

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

    Imagine thinking villa defence was a good idea