Dugout Discussion

Grealish absent through injury as Castagne returns for Leicester’s trip to Villa

Jack Grealish (£7.7m) is absent from the Aston Villa squad for the visit of Leicester City this afternoon.

Rumours had swirled about the midfielder’s potential absence over the last 48 hours and grew louder closer to kick-off, with the Athletic’s Gregg Evans reporting that Grealish will also miss the first part of Villa’s Gameweek 26 double-header against Leeds United, too.

The England international is owned by 37.0% of Fantasy Premier League managers overall and just over 35.0% in the top 10,000, so his absence will be keenly felt and cause a headache or two ahead of next Saturday’s deadline.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) is the man who benefits from Grealish’s absence and will line up on the left flank of Villa’s attack.

Dean Smith’s other alteration from Gameweek 23 is also enforced, with Matty Cash (£5.0m) ruled out for several weeks due to injury.

Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.3m) makes just his second league start of the campaign in Cash’s place at right-back.

Brendan Rodgers has also made two changes from the side that beat Liverpool last weekend.

The fit-again Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) and Luke Thomas (£4.2m) are recalled, with Daniel Amartey (£3.9m) and Marc Albrighton (£5.2m) dropping to the bench.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi, Watkins.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas, Ndidi, Tielemans, Castagne, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 SO FAR…

Grealish absent through injury as Castagne returns for Leicester's trip to Villa 2

West Ham United defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the first Premier League game of the day, with Jesse Lingard (£5.9m) continuing his purple patch of form in east London.

Lingard’s goal was his fourth attacking return in as many appearances for the Hammers and turned out to be the match-winner, which looks set to secure him maximum bonus points and a double-digit haul.

Michail Antonio (£6.6m) was passed fit to play and marked his return with an early goal, although his comeback was ever-so-slightly tainted with a second-half booking.

Grealish absent through injury as Castagne returns for Leicester's trip to Villa 3

Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) also picked up a yellow card en route to a one-pointer, with FPL’s most-owned defender, Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m), losing his clean sheet when Lucas Moura (£6.6m) nodded home Gareth Bale‘s (£9.3m) corner.

Soucek and Vladmir Coufal (£4.7m) were involved in separate collisions but recovered to finish the game.

Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Harry Kane (£11.1m) both blanked but came within inches of a return: the former striking the woodwork late on with a freak, looping touch, with the latter seeing a potential assist go up in smoke in the process.

Kane had also teed the impressive Bale up for a second-half attempt that clipped the bar.

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1,215 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, for DGW26:
    A. Kane Raphinha
    B. Watkins Maddison

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Barnes & Maddison double up?

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

      yes

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      im seriously debating it...

      Bruno Gundo Barnes Maddison xxx
      DCL Kane

      Going to see KDB looks good for the last spot

    4. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy Barnes for me.
      Already have Vardy.

  3. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Selling Barnes over Son last week... PAIN

    1. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely nowhere to hide. 🙂

  4. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Finally something right happens on my WC...

    -Kept Grealish out of it
    -Benched Martinez (finally he concedes!!!!!!!)
    - Punted on Barnes

    Finally for the love of FPL

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

      Enjoy. Won't last long from my experience 😉

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha well that's why I kept him on the WC but Ederson is my main man for now

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Slam dunk!

  5. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I am thinking of starting Pope over Martinez looking at Villa's recent defensive numbers.

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

    McCarthy over Martinez pays off!

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

      Nice one. Almost thankful myself as when the Martinez/McCarthy questions were being touted on here, I suggested playing McCarthy.

      Pope on the other hand!

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

        Yeah got Lowton thankfully to cover him somewhat

  7. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes and Kane
    Or Barnes and Vardy (+1m)?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Former

  8. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Harvey Barnes first on my bench! Oops

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

      er .... why?

  9. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison has single handedly destroyed my ML lead

  10. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So for those of us that transferred Pope in for Martinez to attack the double, has he now outscored Marti for you?

    (Since GW23 for me)
    Pope 2, 8, 2, 8 = 20
    Marti 9, 12, 1 = 22

    Doh!

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I played BB in the double and benched Marti this week. 😀

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        39 points for me

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

        Holla!

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, because i had him from 24. 18 vs 13 so far

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

      Yes since I BB'd last week, and WC'd this week.

      Only lost out where for that Pope 2/9 match.

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

    Finally a return.

    Grealish to Barnes actually more worth it than Antonio to Kane.

    Strange game

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I already know I'm going to pick the wrong one between Maddison and Barnes.

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

      Get both

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saka, Sterling to Maddison, Barnes for -4?

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

    How does this look for a -8?

    Robertson, Soucek & Ings -> Castagne, Barnes & Kane

  15. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Digne
    Bruno Son Maddison Barnes Gundo
    Kane DCL

    Can get this for a -8 for DGW26.

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

      Do it

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

      100% go for it. Pretty much my WC team at the moment.

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

        Sounds good then!

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I approve this message.

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

        Thanks boss

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

      I’m doing the exact same for -8!

    5. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team, mate.

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

        Cheers

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

    Salah to Barnes ? How else to get Leicester here? Doing Ings to Kane.

    Martinez (Areola)
    Cancelo Stones Digne (Mee Dallas)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo (Raph)
    Ings* Watkins Bamford

    2FT 0 ITB after getting Kane... hating my team atm

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

      Selling Salah in a DGW does sound risky.

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      sell son

  17. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do any of these FPL playing Villa players own Barnes or Maddison? Even better if they transferred one of them in for Grealish.

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

      That would be a conspiracy.

  18. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chilwell Grealish Ings
    To
    Pereira Barnes Kane

    Have exact money now!

    Yay?

    Can't squeeze Vardy in sadly but Barnes can match!

  19. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tempted by Sterling, Ings, Grealish to Gundo, Kane, Barnes (-4)... See how long grealish is out for though

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

      He isn't out that long apparently. Definitely the Leeds match tho....

      Barnes is so tempting. But would be a hit for me and Barnes doesn't play in 29!!

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

        Leeds match is the min. charge. That statement doesn't say Grealish will play after Leeds match.

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        there's FT's to use between GW 26 & 29

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

    Thomas an option?

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

      Castagne & Pereira are probably the primary fullbacks so he's not nailed.

      I wish he were there. Great price & he brings out the best in Barnes when he plays.

      Nifty player. Great passing range & could even get some set pieces in time.

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

        All 3 on the pitch atm, not the system you think they will always play?

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

          No, not always. Thomas can drop out and players such as Albrighton, Perez & Under (lol), or Praet can fill in.

          It's far too early to say if he is now magically nailed.

          They have no other proper FB options other than Amartey if a Thomas were to get injured too, so it's very risky to have him play every game.

      2. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who can play on the left out of Castagne and pereira

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

          Castagne can and already had this season. Pereira honestly could, although far preferred on the right side.

  21. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you keep? Only starting in GW27 and probably GW28

    A) ntonio (27: LEE, 28: mun)
    B) amford (27: whu, 28: CHE)A

  22. FULLSERVICECOVER
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What u on for gw26. We or tc? Want to use tc but kane blank today has out me off.should of scored though,we is tempting me or is there a better time. Decisions decisions

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

      Actually now thinking a WC to get best 11 for next week and then BB week after with three 2/3 Saints

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

        Thats what I'm doing but WHU players to BB gw27

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

    Barnes and Bamford or Watkins and Raphinha?

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Former by far

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Former because of watkins

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

        Leeds and Sheffield away thought screams goals. Burnley and Arsenal are far tougher games for Leicester

  24. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish > Barnes no brainer.

    1. markus808
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did it 4 min before the deadline, really don't like to own Grealish at this point, needed these rumors.

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

      Did grealish to raph for this week, looking at raph to Barnes for his dgw

    3. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely

  25. markus808
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Klopp will be sacked if they lose their next two, (shu, CHE)? Or is he fixture-proof?

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

      no chance

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

      Get out of here

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

      lol

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

        I would say they are more likely to build his statue outside Anfield.

        1. markus808
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thought Lampard would get his erected soon too

    4. PogChamp
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool aren't a sacking club. Gerrard is odds-on for their next manger tho.

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

      Think he's safe regardless. Unless they're some how dragged into a relegation scrap, there's no way they'd sack him.

    6. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wtf is that

    7. markus808
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      But next 6? I just wonder if he is immune to this kind of pressure? Made a lot of money betting against them. They are sinking. But good team nevertheless, just not this year.

  26. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi....any early thoughts on what to do with grealish please? Using fts for 29 so will want jack for then.... wildcard in 30 / 31

    A ...bench jack and play raphinha v villa for 26

    B.....jack to maddison  / Barnes - 4. Sell for grealish in 29.....

    Martinez (pope)
    Cancelo dias Lowton (dallas coufal)
    Salah Bruno Grealish gundogan (raphinha)
    Kane dcl watkins

    Thanks

  27. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Grealish + Bamford => Barnes + Vardy -4
    B. Grealish + Ings => Barnes + Kane -4

    In A, Ings stays for 27, in B, Bamford - for 29

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Def B

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

    Wonder if Pereira will stay in the team.

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

      Obviously yes.

    2. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He might get a rest in one of the doubles. He’s being brought back in carefully.

  29. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Gundogan today? My rival has Barnes as 1st on the bench.... hope Gundo plays....

  30. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please can we ban “nowhere to hide posts” haha
    Anyway Kane or Vardy in next GW if own Son?

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

      Kanr. But bin Son for Barnes or Maddison

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmm yeah that’s an idea cheers