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. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane TC with -4
    Or
    TC Salah/Bruno/Sterling

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

    A Kane Barnes or
    B Vardy Son

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

      Kane Barnes.

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane is expensive for such a terrible club, just saying

      Son might be cover enough

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

      A

      Don't ask me why

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

    Locked into double gameweek with Kane and Son, and no Leicester.. may yet work out fine

  4. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes

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

    All I want is for my players to get through this GW without injury so I can deploy BB next week. Is that too much to ask?

  6. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Grealish out for DGW26?

    A) Keep Grealish

    B) Grealish -> Barnes

    C) Get Watkins for cover

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    Grealish to Barnes / maddison - 4?

    My problem is Leicester don't play in 29 and will want jack back for then

    Thanks

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

      Alternative us play raphinha with his single match v villa in 26.....thanks

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

      I think Grealish just has to go for a bit. Can always buy back later. This Leicester team have amazing fixtures until 29 to take advantage of.

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

        Thanks mate....probably sensible

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

    Exact cash for Grealish/Bamford to Barnes/Kane. Do it or not?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like a good move, do it.

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

      Absolutely

  9. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Perhaps it’s overthinking but I don’t see many goals for Leicester in the next four:

    Arsenal, Burnley, Brighton, Sheffield

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I see 7 or more goals

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

        Happy to be proved wrong

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

      Arsenal conceded 2 vs Leeds
      Burnley struggle vs 10 man wba
      Sheffield is Sheffield

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

      Agreed

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

      Not many, may be 10 only

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

        Lol, fair- maybe I’m overestimating their opponents

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

    Barnes or Maddy?

    Mr xG vs Mr xA - can mix & match.

    Who’s your pick?

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

      Barnes

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

      Maddison

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

      Barnes coz he's cheaper and I don't think he's any less good than Maddison.

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

        Set pieces worth the extra?

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

          Nah. Without set pieces Maddison is straight up worse than Barnes. With set pieces they're about even. So go Barnes.

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

      Barnes. Cheaper, still gets G & A too. Closer to the goal. Better underlying stats. Less clinical, but he's an exciting watch.

      Honestly you can't go wrong having either, or both, in their current form.

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

      I think I am getting both.

  11. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chances Gundo and Cancelo play today?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0. So I can get the dynamic duo of Coufal and Mitchell off the bench.

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

      Hopefully one sits out so I get my 7 Digne points

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

        I need Barnes from bench

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

          Why are all you people putting Barnes on the bench? Surely if you fork out 6.5m+ for him then you need to play him??? I suppose it's easy with hindsight .....

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

            Ok let me put it this way. Would you have played any of Gundo, Bruno, Salah or Raphina(DGW) instead of Barnes?

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

            People prepping for BB. I almost benched him over Gundog.

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

            I meant Barnes instead of any of those 4 mids?

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If both sit out I’m in Digne land!!

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

    Is Lingard a shrewd pick?

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

      vs Leeds in 27, yes

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

      City away hardly appealing

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

    Mad that Martinez is still going to get a BAP here.

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

      Needs a bit of help.

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

      I want to punch you too

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

        He’s inevitable 😆

  14. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is winning the Barnes vs. Maddison matchup?

    Need one to replace Grealish.

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

      Batnes

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

    Do we know how long Grealish is out for then? I bought him for 7.0, so hesitant to take him out if he's only out a week or so.

  16. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes to come in from bench if Gundogan don't show up, any chance ?

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

    Take a hit for Targett or play Dallas

  18. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have a terrible feeling Gundo will start and megahaul

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

      I hope so, even without him as captain

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

      I'd like that 😀

      I also have Digne on the bench if he's a no-show. This is looking like a very decent week for me.

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

      I have a feeling cancelo and one of sterling /gundo will be benched

    4. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully. It'll mean KDB is less essential

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'll take 1 point each from them. I don't have a bench.

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

    No idea what to do here. Was thinking Kane in for Ings (need to find 0.2 somewhere) but Leicester seem essential. 2FT 2.4 ITB

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

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

      Similar to my team. I was planning Bruno and Antonio to Barnes and Kane.

      Think Kane is still a good captain option so guess you need to pick which mid to risk leaving.

  20. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All of the Wildcarders that loaded up on Spurs and Villa have been left with egg on their face lmao.

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They can still change the wild card - Spurs are cosmically damaged

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

        They used in gw25

  21. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Based on what we have seen is it ok to BB with this for -4:
    Bamford + Struijk + Vestergaard + Areola

  22. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which option?

    a) BB Johnstone--Bam--Dallas--Cresswell.
    b) TC Son.

    Thanks.

  23. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shame I held off a week to get Barnes!

    Who out of Fernandes/Salah/Son makes way with Antonio for Barnes and Kane?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think you need both of Son and Kane.

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

        I'm starting to think that after today. The fixtures are strong though

  24. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have the exact amount to do Bamford, Adams, Grealish to Kane, Barnes and DCl for 4pt hit. Should I go for it?

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      Ya

  25. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Robbo, Soucek & Antonio > Barnes, Kane and 4.8 def for -4 hit?

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

    Son & bam bam to Maddison and DCL looking very tempting

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

    Who is the best set & forget keeper from now till end of season? Pope or Emi?

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

      Might be Areola.

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

      It’s downhill from here for Villa imo with Grealish out (team belief) and fixtures turning around GW30

  28. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pereira OR Castagne on FH?

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

      Castagne

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

      Other than Perweira's one big injury, he didn't really get injured too much before.

      Castagne has already missed out multiple times before this seasons. As Pereira is quite a natural RW option too - I'd prefer him.

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

        Sorry, missed the FH bit. Probably still Pereira but I haven't stat compared them.

  29. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Madders or Barnes on WC..?

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

    Any sign of Gundo in London?