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. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to lose for Barnes?

    A - Soucek
    B - Raphinha

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Is Pereira a better shout than Digne on WC?

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

      He is OOP isn't he? Very interesting, I might opt for him.

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

        You think he starts both?

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

          Good question, that's the catch

    2. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I might just go with him, think there is a haul incoming

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

      But will he continue to remain oop?

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

    Kane fail, over to you Mr Kevin De Bruyne!!!

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

      ?

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

        I went for De Bruyne over Salah

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

          Nice

  4. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on HBarnes, Antonio, DCL, Tarkowski to Harrison, Ings, Kane, Tete ahead of GW25?

    Asking for Lateriser

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

      Don't be harsh.

      I'd beg he had Ings > DCL booked in already, that was fair enough.

      Harrison made sense with match-up vs Semedo & SOU RB. Differential.

      Barnes & Tete are the relatively silly ones though.

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

        This albeit some strange picks

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

    If Grealish was out for DGW26, is it worth bringing in Watkins? If not who's the alternative for max 8.5 (already own DCL)?

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

      Probably Ings tbf

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

        Always scores vs Everton and doubles in 27

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

          Am looking for DGW player replacing him 😆 so it a keep then?

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

            * it's

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

            Considering he has a double week after may as well I think

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

              That double is not that appealing in the grand scheme of maximising 26-29, but yeah a plus

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

              Oh I can FH and get Salah Ings Raphinha back GW27

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

                I'm keeping my Leeds attacker to face this Cash-less VIlla

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

                  This makes new left-wing good point! Damn, original plan in tatters!

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

                Depends how you’d be setup for BGW29

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

                  9 players without hits, good enough I think and don't know when to use FH if not now?

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

                    Maybe go for it, best advice I can give is go with your gut.

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

      352 with leicester milf or mat. Perreira

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

        M Pereira for Raphinha is another option yes

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Giggity

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

    Robbo, Soucek & Antonio > Holgate, Barnes & Kane for -4. Yay or nay?

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

      Robbo should be shipped in 2020

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

    Mad to go Schmeichel over Martinez on WC or just too knee jerky..?

    LEI have better fixtures on paper

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

      Waste of lei spot

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

      I would not go that far: Vardy, Maddison, Barnes, Pereira and I will stop there, poor Justin.

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

      Brought him in this week and benched Martinez. So far so good. Reckon Leicester will get at least one cleansheet in the double and has the potential for save points and bonus against Arsenal.

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

        Ignore this...

  8. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes or Maddison for grealish?
    Thanks

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

      Barnes. They’re much of a muchness and Barnes is cheaper. I’m tempted by both tbh

      1. Weilong7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Yeah I guess many are tempted too

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

          So sick of my team. Really wanna get rid of Son but I know if I do he’ll haul. Just bored of owning him. Think he’s a goner. Probably overdue anyway

  9. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this wc draft?
    Will FH in 29.

    Martinez (fabri)
    Shaw stones pereira (Dallas struijk)
    Bruno salah gundo Barnes (ESR)
    Kane vardy dcl

  10. Cali
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son, Ings, Cavani -> Kane, DCL, Barnes (-8)?

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

      No, just Ings & Cavani out.

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

        Exact funds to replace those with Vardy & DCL. No Kane would be a worry but maybe Son for Spurs cover is enough. Thoughts?

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

          I would prefer Kane as my spurs cover, but won't rip everything apart to get him. They are dire atm.

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

    Going to be various triple captains next week. Makes it very interesting!

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

      I’m thinking of getting DCL in and capping him. Not sure about TC though.

      Him or Gundogan for me.

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

        Then you’ve got the Leicester boys, Kane and Son..

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

      Bruno vs Palace and a pen vs Chelsea after his midweek rest...

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

        Still a very good shout

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

        I keep thinking Bruno will be the one we wonder why we didn’t triple captain - he could destroy Palace.

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

          Chelsea have a massive battle in midweek too and if they allow United to counter...

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

      Who's yours? I might do DCL or Barnes ...

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

        Honestly not sure at the moment. I’ll have DCL Maddison Barnes Bruno Kane Son and Gundo to choose from

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Draw a name out of a hat ... I think it’s probably the only way we don’t all hate ourselves for making the wrong choice ...

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

          Oh my world ... sleepless night, GL!

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, so many choices ... will be very interesting to see the top 10k split in particular.

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

        Yep

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

    Pick one on FH

    A Watkins Barnes Mount
    B Vardy Ghazi Castagne/Pereira

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A just

  13. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is better, Maddy or Barnes?

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

      Barnes

  14. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is this a knee jerk reaction of a good move?

    Sterling, Grealish, Raphinha > Gundogan, Maddison, Barnes (-8)

  15. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mason Holgate nailed?

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

      Not in a back 4.

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers pay the extra 1.3m for digne you think?

  16. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Re:
    Grealish + Brewster > Lookman + Kane (-4) ?

    Will BB and both play BGW29 as well,leaves me with .0ITB

    Martinez*(Areola*)
    Dias* - Cancelo* - Maguire* (Holding - Dallas)
    Salah*(C) - Rashford* - Son* - Lookman* (Raphinha)
    Kane* - Ings - Watkins*

  17. noone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sold Antonio and Barnes to bring in Bamford and Raphinha(C) for a -4. Of course, I deserve this

  18. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The template performing poorly so far this GW:

    Martinez
    Cancelo - Stones - Dallas
    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Gundogan - Raphinha
    Bamford(c) - Ings

    Will the Man City trio save it?

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

    Luke Thomas the next Justin?

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

      Good young player - we're blessed with FB/WB at the moment.

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

    Priority for gw26?

    A. Kane
    B. KDB
    C. Son
    D. Maddison
    E. Barnes
    F. Vardy
    G. Gundogan

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G

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

      G
      E
      A

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

    This Thomas Lad is fantastic. He deserves to keep his place at LB.

  22. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling owners what ya doing ?
    keep for double 26-27 ?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d switch for KDB

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

        NotFree transfer and not sure about taking a hit for Debruyne

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

      I'm on the fence

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

        Thinking of keeping last chance then shift to Salah Vs Fulham in 27 maybe .. Can't accept the idea of transferring him out before 2 doubles at home!!

  23. Genji3lade
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Even with Cash injured can El Mo hold his place for both games in the DGW?

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

      Guilbert is gone and Smith likes a settled side so probably.

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

        I am considering Ghazi. On pens and good fixtures.

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

    Any thoughts on this lot as a WC?

    Ederson - Fabri

    Digne - Stones - White - Targett - Strujik

    Son - Sterling - Fernandes - Barnes - Anguissa

    DCL - Watkins - Vardy

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

      Kane over watkins

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

        going for two premium Spurs under Mourinho at the present time feels dangerous.. watkins has two plum fixtures also

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, I’m struggling to justify both Kane and son ... although you pick one, you know it will be the wrong one ...

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

    Any news on how long Grealish will be out?

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

        Thanks! Hopefully back for next match, but won’t transfer him in until we get A confirmation

  26. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish -> Barnes locked in

    Watkins -> DCL for a hit?

  27. abcdef3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Sterling, Grealish, Raphinha > Gundogan, Maddison, Barnes (-8)

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

    Thoughts on this FH Team?

    Ederson
    Digne Cancelo Pereira Reguilon
    Salah Son Ghazi
    Kane Vardy DCL

    Can lose Digne for Barnes(for triple Leicester)

  29. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sky talking a lot about Grealish at half time. He must be having a stormer.

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

      Villa’s best player so far tbf.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😆

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

    Ilkay Gundogan is with the #ManCity squad this afternoon.

    [via @spbajko]

    https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1363505135998152706?s=19

    Sweating as a bencher!

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I started but it blocks Tarkowski 9 pointer now