Dugout Discussion

Grealish and Martínez backed heavily for Villa’s trip to Brighton

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) and Emiliano Martínez (£5.2m) are the main focus of Aston Villa’s visit to Brighton.

The mid-priced midfielder is owned by 39.7% of teams going into Double Gameweek 24 and might be back on the left-hand side of the front-three again, based on Villa’s most recent team-sheet.

Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) starts on the other side of what appears to be a front-three, which also contains the 22.4%-owned Ollie Watkins (£6.4m), who has four goals in his last five Premier League matches.

Ross Barkley (£5.9m) also features in midfield, which keeps Anwar El Ghazi (£5.4m) on the Villa bench.

Unsurprisingly, Dean Smith goes with the usual back-five, which contains Martínez, Matt Targett (£4.8m), Tyrone Mings (£5.4m), Ezri Konsa (£4.6m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m).

As ever, Brighton’s shape is difficult to predict with confidence but Dan Burn (£4.2m), Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) and Ben White (£4.4m) feature, potentially as a back-three.

Leandro Trossard (£5.7m) is out-of-position in the front-two with Neal Maupay (£6.1m), supported by Alexis Mac Allister (£5.3m) in the number 10 role.

Double Gameweek 24 line-ups

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: R Sánchez; Burn, Dunk, White; Alzate, Bissouma, Groß, Veltman; Mac Allister; Trossard, Maupay.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz, Barkley; Grealish, Watkins, B Traoré.

Double Gameweek 24 so far…

Ilkay Gündogan (£6.0m) was at the heart of Manchester City’s win over Spurs on Saturday afternoon.

He racked up two goals and one assist in a man-of-the-match performance, helping him to maximum bonus in the process.

The German international remains the Premier League’s top goal-scorer since the start of December, when he started taking up a more advanced role.

Of particularly note today, was the fact that he is increasingly finding those pockets of space in matches which also feature Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) as a centre-forward.

However, Fantasy managers may be keeping an eye on Pep Guardiola’s next press conference after Gündogan was forced off with a groin complaint in the second half.

And it is worth noting that, even though he won Manchester City’s first-half penalty, Rodri (£5.3m) was handed responsibility for the spot-kick following Gündogan’s miss at Anfield.

Ederson (£6.1m) added his 14th clean sheet of the season while also earning an assist for Gündogan’s second goal.

But Ruben Dias (£6.1m) was unable to capitalise on the shut-out as he was left on the bench following his midweek illness.

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1,195 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez to outscore Pope

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope is at half time with a Fulham team travelling 4 times including Sunday night to midweek.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Chefs kiss.

  2. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do saves count if the shot is going wide?

  3. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What a great save again

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Begging you to score here Brighton - made the obvious choice of playing Areola with his DGW, but god I hate benching Emi

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wasnt this on last page 😉

  5. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Finger tip save

  6. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Emi is unreal.

    1. Taff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Must be a good shout for signing of the season

  7. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please concede Martinez, thanks.

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping for same
      Brought in Pope last week, benched Martinez!

      1. Railwayman
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Same.

  8. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ok I played Pope over Martinez this week.

    Brighton better score 😐

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We all did....

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just be pleased with your score.

      Why do people focus on what could have wasn't?

      Human nature...

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

        It affects ur rankings. Simple math

      2. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed

  9. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa under lots of pressure

  10. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Emi is better than any Arsenal keeper. Why did they let him go?

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

      The ridiculous thing is they've had him at the club for years and never once considered him for first choice?

      Yikes.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        To be fair, Leno is very good too.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He's not "very good", he's "good".

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

          True, however...

          Arsenal got Leno in 2018.
          Arsenal got Martinez in 2012...

      2. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Because he went to a number of clubs on loan and didn’t perform particularly well. He’s done great since but he’s 28 and never pushed for first team football. Up until February last year a lot of fans at arsenal were questioning his desire to be a first choice keeper

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shocking squad management from the kings of shocking squad management.

    3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because he’s 28 and had a bunch of poor unsuccessful loan spells at a number of clubs, played well for 3 months and a substantial offer came in for him and not Leno.

  11. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pleeaasse score Brighton

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feel like I’m going to be punished for benching Watkins for Son here.

    Joke if Martinez outscores Areola’s DGW too

  13. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Trossard 🙂

  14. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez on 4 saves and 3 BPS. Absolute monster ahaha.

  15. jdoyle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    As a non-owner I feel like Martinez gets a 10-pointer every week. He's killing me.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just buy him

  16. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Early thinking; Antonio to Ings? 2FT 4.4 ITB. Means benching Watkins(LEI).

    Areola
    Cancelo Dallas Mee*
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan* Raphinha
    Bamford(c) Watkins
    ———————————————
    Martinez Antonio* Digne Stones

    Cheers 🙂 bottomed last page so sorry if anyone replied there

  17. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek to Raphinha?

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

      I did it last week as I had 2FT and nothing else to do.

      So, yeah I would

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I did the exact same for the same reason.

  18. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Im so sick to death of Martinez!!

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This!

      Sold Martinez weeks ago for Fabianski when West Ham had the double and Fabs got injured. It hasn't been a complete disaster but it's been a solid negative and a real emotional killjoy.

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you Roy Keane in disguise?

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

  19. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Martinez for Areola

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

      Same here... but I would 10/10 times pre deadline - you can’t bench a DGW for a SGW all things considered

  20. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    To be fair Arsenal are pretty consistent in letting great GK's go.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The have Bernd Superman Leno, who else do they need?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Szczesny - best goalie in Serie A at the moment.
        Fabianski - twice West Ham player of the year.
        Martinez - on course to become fpl legend 😉

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think that joke went over your head.

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Quite possible, then again its not a crime to be thick.

            1. Postman Ty
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Watch his highlights against Wolves 😉

  21. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wc tonight yeah or nay?

    From this
    Martinez, Johnstone
    Awb, cancelo, Dias, Coufal, Dallas
    Salah, son, Bruno, grealish, Gundo,
    DCL, Antonio, bamford

    To this:
    Martinez, Fabri
    Alioski*, stones*, Dias, dunne*, Dallas,
    Salah, son, Bruno, grealish, Gundo,
    Ings*, Kane*, bamford

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

      Looks decent changes but I’d want Cancelo still, he’s so dangerous.

      Not sure it’s worth a WC, probably something a few FTs and hits can fix?

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just curious you have chosen Dias over Cancelo.

      I ditched Cancelo over Dias this week so you’re clearly supporting my decision here..

  22. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any confirmed news about Justin?

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

      ACL out for year

    2. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Out for season likely.

    3. Legohair
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh dear, what a shame.well its justin to dallas then

  23. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Used my bench boost purely for Martinez. A haul would be beautiful

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      same haha

    2. Taff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I backed down, heck I even backed down taking a hit this week. Martinez, Coufal, Dallas and DCL left on the bench.

  24. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Very cringe to keep Leno over Martinez

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

      Cringe 😆

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Totes

    3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Moron

  25. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just about got over my Sterling disappointment.

    What score makes you happy with TC? Any double figures for me, especially after mane incident.

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

      Under 10 poor, 10-15 Satisfactory, 15+ Excellent

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goal vs Everton and you’re laughing.

    3. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      20+

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A goal and its not so bad. Just frustrating he didn't take his chances today, plus Gundogan doing so well.

      Still 90 mins to go.

  26. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa on the ropes here, if they keep this up Brighton should score. Hope Smith makes the required changes at the break

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The goal would be disallowed anyway.

  27. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Did Justin to Lowton this GW. Anyone else did same?

  28. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I wish I could've played Martinez over Grealish.

  29. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    God I hate Martinez

  30. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Basically my decision to wc or not comes down to

    A. Adam’s and keep WC for later in the season
    B. Ings and use WC to wipe the dross from my team

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You're only changing 5 players so don't think it's needed.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks I think you are right