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. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Only just realised they took a BPS of Lowton. He finished on 2 didn't he.

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

      he lost 3 points in the span of 3 seconds 🙁

      1. Slurpy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        basically last kick of the game too

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

      Because he got a yellow at the end

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

        That's not the reason. Everyone is just copying what everyone else is saying.

        I saw it live.

        He was on 30 BAPs. After the foul (-1) and YC (-3) he dropped to 26, which was tied for 2 bonus.

        He was dropped to 25 after they recalculated something both sure what exactly. Probably whatever it was was correct though.

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

          Yeah that's the part I missed Hazz. Knew he got carded and saw he still got 2 BPS. Must have been quite a while before they dropped him to 1 BPS.

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

          As a non owner I never realised he dropped down to 25 baps. Sorry.

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

          most likely lost BAP due to that foul and booking though

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

      As soon as that happened I knew the week was doomed

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He was on 3.
      Got booked.
      Ended up with 1.

  2. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    the first time I've wanted max Pep rotation and I bet he still screws me 😆

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

      I have DCL first sub and Lowton second. Cancelo completely out of the squad or starting is what I need. No 1 point cameos please Pep.

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

    Maddison hurt

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

      Answers your earlier question perhaps. Bad for rest of the team however.

  4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson, Walker Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, KDB, Rodri, BIlva, Foden, Sterling and Mahrez showing on one of my apps as City line up!!

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wrong!

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

        lol great rebuttal

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

          Haha it’s live score app

  5. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    Salah Son Bruno Barnes Gundogan
    DCL Watkins

    Can get here for a -4 for DGW26?

    Thinking to go without Kane as son is enough

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

    Stupid Tielemans. Taking lame shots and giving Emi free save points.

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

    Do you expect lkay to start today?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ilkay*

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

      11 minutes ain't long to wait!

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

      No

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

      Not personally, resigned myself to souceck 1 pointer

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

      he be IIkay

    6. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      bench I think

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

      My guess is no since Pep tends to want full training for a player to be selected.

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

    12 minutes to meltdown ❗

  9. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think he will start but he won't play more than 60 mins

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fail answer about Gundo

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

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56147920

    Grealish out for a month.

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

      Feck

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

      Goes from “hopefully back for next game and not as serious as they first feared” to out for a month lol

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

      How have the journalists come to the conclusion of it being a month, when Smith doesn't say how long it'll be?

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I cash out ? I have under 3.5 goals in that one

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      What's the current payout v final payout?

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Current is only 8£ but if I get it right along with 3 more then it will be 150£

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

          I'd wait. Although the chances of another goal in this game are pretty high.

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

      Is he not injured? Sell

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

        Lol

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

      there will be more goals

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

    Anyone else completely happy if this game ends 1-2?!

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

      Emi pen save and 2 more saves for max baps would be ideal

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

      I don't want any more goals (Foxes fan with no Leicester players)

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

      I want a 4-2 villa win

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

      Martinez is still going to outscore Pope somehow isn't he.

    5. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Emi to give away a penalty and get red carded.

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

    Oh Barnes that was lovely.

    Get in my belly-team...

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

      Yeah.
      Very uncomfortable watching as a non owner

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

      He’s one of those trolls that looks pants when I pick him

  14. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can do this move but will need to go early this week as only 0.1m left:

    Grealish/Ings/Coufal > Barnes/Kane/Dias -8?

    What we saying?

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

      Yes

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

      Dias could be really frustrating for -4. But could also be worth 12+...

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

        I’d never consider it if it wasn’t a DGW plus Grealish injury

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

    Martinez 5th save.

    Stop. Shooting.

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

      Or start scoring instead

  16. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Im pulling the Wildcard, as planned.

    However Spurs assets look pants now.

    I'm going to wait until the end of the day and pull the trigger. I have XI DGW players. But no Kane, KDB, Leicester or Everton players - I think now is the time.

    Anybody else on a WC for 26?

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

      same here - waiting until end of day to press it

      you have any other chips?

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

        TC but it can wait

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

          Yep, my TC will have to wait also

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

      Yep and I had 11 dgw even before I did but none of the decent ones so pleased I’m playing it

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

      Yep, not that my team desperately needs it, but the opportunity I will miss out on if not played, I have no Leicester, no Everton, no KDB, Salah can go he’a useless, so I’m WC’ing

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

    Come on Kevin please start, I wonder what his EO is, could be a massive opportunity

  18. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How long is Grealish supposed to be out for?

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

      Nobody knows

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

      A month

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

      Around a month

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

        Sauce - BBC Sport

    4. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      5 weeks

  19. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ooof Rockstar tweets Gundo and KdB start

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

      This is excellent news

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hopefully Foden's got the tom tits

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias & Stones

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

        Lovely, just need to get big points form them.

  20. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WGTA for Villa goal?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not at the stadium so no way of knowing

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

    https://twitter.com/FPL_Rockstar/status/1363509688755777537?s=19

    Gundogan & KDB start.

    I will be behind my sofa.

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

      Woohoo!!

  22. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo and KDB start

  23. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison out injured

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

      Huh?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Trying one last time it seems

  24. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    yes gundog

  25. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB Fernandinho & Gundo start.

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

    Do we think Thomas keeps his place? Seems a very obvious swap from Coufal to Thomas if so...

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

      no

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

    Go on Gundo!

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

    need news about Raz!

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    no cancelo

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

      Cancelo?