Dugout Discussion

Still no Barkley or Konsa for Villa as Allardyce era gets underway at West Brom

Sam Allardyce takes charge of West Bromwich Albion for the first time this evening.

The Baggies take on Aston Villa in the last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday, with kick-off in the Black Country at 19:15 GMT.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and England head coach has succeeded Slaven Bilic in the hot seat the Hawthorns, with the Croat losing his job following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

The impressive showing against Manchester City and limited time with his new charges has persuaded Allardyce to name an unchanged side from Gameweek 13.

As for the visitors, Dean Smith welcomes back two players from suspension today – and both return straight to the starting XI.

Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m) are newly available after one-match bans and replace Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) and Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.3m) in central midfield and at right-back respectively.

There is still no Ross Barkley (£5.9m) for the Villans, as the loanee nears a return from a hamstring injury.

The ill Ezri Konsa (£4.8m) also isn’t part of the 18-man matchday squad.

FPL’s most popular goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez (£4.9m), starts between the posts and will be hoping to continue his fine form on the road.

The Villa custodian has registered clean sheets in four of his side’s five away fixtures this season, averaging 6.6 points per match on his travels.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) is the most-owned player on show: he sits in 43.2% of Fantasy squads at present, with only Son Heung-min (£9.7m) proving to be a more in-demand purchase among midfielders.

Not one of Albion’s players is owned by more than 2% of FPL managers.


West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs, Phillips, Sawyers, Livermore, Gallagher, Diangana, Grant.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Hause, Mings, Targett, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi, Watkins.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

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

1,454 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can we get some more "Grealish useless" whiners here please

    1. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very likely to get points now playing against 10 men

    2. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      watch out, I jokingly asked for current points and got 10+ replies of current points.

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

      No need to ask.

  2. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Mahrez and Reece James? Swap for Son and a 4.3? Or swap to Raphina and any defender?

  3. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So why wasn't Hause's upgraded to a red? That's an ankle snapper.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Different type of tackle. Would be 7 vs 7 most games.

      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I understand that but it was half way up the shin and reckless. I have seen people sent to the hospital because of those.

    2. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't look deliberate like Livermore's foul, though that intent doesn't really matter. I think it was less clear a red though.

      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed. I dont believe it was deliberate but I dont think that makes it any less a dangerous challenge.

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Clearer red

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

    Grealish is gash, gonna sell to fund Robbo or Chilwell

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

    Really having second thoughts about ditching DCL for Adams to fund a bench for 19 BB. The value tied up in him, had him since the start, and he still hasnt stopped returning. Adams feels like a big downgrade..

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How many points you think you'll get from BB upgrades?

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

        In realtiy, not much. Seem to be doing it for the sake of it.
        This would be my team for 19
        Fab
        Chil - TAA - James
        Soucek - Son - Bruno - Salah
        kane - Adams - Bam

        Johnstone, Alioski, KWP, Bissouma

        I'd need to sell DCL to fund Johnstone and Alioski essentially, and then I still wouldnt have enuf to upgrade Bissouma.

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

      Southampton are a better team

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

      I wouldn’t. DCL is a season keeper

    4. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      We’ve seen no indication that he’ll stop proving points.

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

    So... Martinez moving to VIlla was a massive upgrade for him and a huge loss for Arsenal?

    I love this script

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

      Called it even before the transfer happened

    2. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The main thing was that he was just as good as Leno but also played for the Arsenal badge. Arsenal have no players that currently play for the badge. That's 90% of the problem with that team, they're soft, no heart, grit, or fight when it gets tough.

  7. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best James replacement:
    A) Coufal
    B) Vestergaard
    C) Taylor
    D) Dier

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      James is only out short term

      Replacement depends on your 18/19 plan

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

        cheers, maybe Soucek is enough of a replacement for a week or two then

    2. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      All of ABC are good. Guess it depends on the rest of the team, rotation etc.

    3. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm personally leaning towards dier coz of the fixtures

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

        Mou’s lost it ; I’m very wary of Spurs suddenly

    4. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas if you're loading up for 19

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

    A. Mane to KDB(C)

    B. Martial to Firmino

    No Salah 🙁

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd keep both Mane and Firmino.

      1. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I meant Mane and Martial

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

    Grealish off all set pieces now?

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pure waste....

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

        I’m selling on WC. Looks so unthreatening here

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

    F off Grealish

  11. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish is so good at leaving the ball to El Ghazi.

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

      and traore

  12. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James, Grealish & DCL -> Lowton, Salah & Brewster for -4?

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

      Awful mate

      1. Mile Plankton
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Really?
        Salah has outscored DCL+Grealish 3 weeks in a row.

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      Just get Salah

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

    PLease sell Grealish everyone

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

      I will

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will do

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

    Half time help... Best move? Will WC in 16.

    A. Davis >> Adams
    B. Lamptey >> Dias
    C. James >> Robbo / TAA
    D. Grealish >> Son
    E. WC now

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, James**, Lamptey**
    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Cavaleiro**
    Bamford, DCL
    (4.0, Justin, Mitchell, Davis**)

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

      E surely

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

        Why? Wasn’t trying to wait for 16

  15. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With all the Grealish hate...

    After Salah, Son, KDB, Fernandes are there any options in the price bracket below? Or is it just best to go Soucek and use cash elsewhere?

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

      Latter

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maddison

      Or change formation and get TAA/Robbo

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Raphinha looks worth a try

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

      Zaha the only other half decent option. I’m getting rid

    5. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You could consider Pulisic/Ziyech

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Haha you are a funny guy

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          LoL why not? They have a dgw fixture against ful, might be nice differentials.

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

    Not on penos

    Not on direct FKs

    Not on indirect FKs

    Not a poacher

    NOT IN MY TEAM ANYMORE

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

      NOT MY PRESIDENT

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

      THIS
      He's like VIP or something why are you even in my team !!!ffs

  17. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    When is Barkley back?

  18. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    It's time to sell Grealish. Not panic to do this.

    No PK, No FK, play so deep. El Ghali & Traore steals his points.

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

    Good thing about letting Grealish go is, there are some good mid priced midfielders knocking about

    Rafinha
    Maddison
    Armstrong
    JWP
    Torres
    Soucek
    Bowen

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

      Rather Grealish over all of them tbh

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

    Aguero to return next GW so that KDB has someone to actually convert his assists?

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

    “F off Grealish, you’re only the 5th highest scoring mid in the game who started at £7m and has two double gameweeks to come” The state of some ppl lol

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

      That said, El Ghazi is a bit of a nuisance for Grealish FPL wise

    2. Mile Plankton
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And he blanked in 4 out of 5 last GWs.

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

      No double in 19. After palace has chelsea united spurs everton. U can get him back for the doubles. It's not hard.

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

      How dare he!

  22. DonBenzema
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Watkins replacement? Already own Bamford

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

      Adams comes to mind with Ings being injured

    2. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson, Adams, Welbeck

    4. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams, given Ings injury and Wilson upcoming fixtures

    5. BucketHead
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ageuro

  23. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’ve invested in Grealish and Watkins since before their Liverpool exploits. Tonight is the last night they’ll be in my team most likely. Villa have flattered to deceive.

  24. tim
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins better score or he is so out, nothing but crap from him since I got him!

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Got rid for Welbexk 2 weeks ago and glad I did

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He can’t hit a barndoor from anywhere beyond two yards

  25. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    El ghazi is the Salah of Villa.. Selfish af.. But doesn't score as much

    1. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’s so wasteful

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

      He wishes he was the Salah

  26. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    7k red arrow atm with 55 points

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

      aim for 60+ every week. that's the secret

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It will be once Grealish scores in the second half 😉

  27. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Looking forward to Grealish’s goal and assist in the 2nd half

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

      amen bro. he usually does it after the 80th minute

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

      hopefully, had a horror week so far 🙁

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

        Non Salah owner, son captainer, Leeds United fan here. What a bloody gameweek I've had. Down from 400k to 630k already, need a villa clean sheet and a Watkins goal or two.
        Still merry Christmas to all and hope your fpl goes well. It's only a game.

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

    How is Jack looking, any chance for points by him? What is he on 4-5 blanks in a row? Maybe it was the right call to sell him for the blank, all it depends on whether he will deliver this one and the next GW, after that the fixtures kind of meh

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe he will have dgw 17 if newC lose to Brentford then lose him for Ziyech/Pulisic/Rashford

    2. Blzbobuk
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If only there were a few comments to help with that...

  29. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish > Soucek for a hit?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Obviously not

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

      give him one more chance imo

    3. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not for a hit.

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

      Pure madness

  30. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Haven't a clue what to do regarding GW 18 & 19.

    Should I using my free transfers from now til GW 18 to prepare a team for GW 18 or prepare a team for GW 19?

    HELP!

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

      do 2 provisional teams for 18 and 19 and see which one you like more and how far you are from it. the one to which you are closer, aim to achieve it with transfers

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If u do team for gw 18, then free hit gw 19, gw 20 will be poor as it will not have much che liv manutd who have good matches

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How many blankers do you have versus double gameweekers? That's the first question I would ask if I were you

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

        atm, I have 8 players for the blank GW but 2 of them or Leno & Watkins who I want rid of.

        And I have 7 DGW players for GW 19.