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. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barkley looking like a girl making that long walk home from the nightclub

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

      😆

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

    Lol Trezeguet.

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

    Come on Elmo do something!

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

      Gtfo, there's no way anyone started him.

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

        Correct but worried he could be dropped in the double when I do play him

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is that the blue guy from sesame street?

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

        Red one

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Googled it - I bow to your knowledge of sesame characters

  4. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any advice? DCL or Richarlison for upcoming gameweeks.

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

      DCL

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

      DCL

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

      DCL

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

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

      We'll all suggest DCL & Rich will end up outscoring him. You know how it goes.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol. So true.

    6. Tripleh123
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks. Much appreciated.

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

    City game will be similar to week 22 for me hopefully. Got Justin's 15pts off the bench as Foden stayed benched for City. Antonio first on the bench for me today...hopefully Foden stays put again but can't see it with Gundo and De Bryune just back from injuries, can't imagine they'll play 90.

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

      Guess up to 65 mins KDB.

      75 mins Gundogan depending on how it's going.

      If they score enough early all change.

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

    Need a Watkins goal

    1. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is he looking likely to score? Wondering how he'll be without Jack in the side.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here. Coming off the bench for Grealish.

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

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan(TC) Barnes
    DCL Watkins

    How does this look for a -4 for DGW26?

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

      pretty good but not sure if TC on Gundo next week is ideal. We'll know more after this next game...

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

    With KDB back, the City game will be a big indicator of Gundo’s worth.

    If he sits deep and is off pens, the glorious run may be coming to end.

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

      He was scoring with KDB in the side

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

      Let's face it, Man City don't sit back in any formation or picks.

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

      His glorious run started before the kdb injury. Kdb was frustrating to own the last weeks before his injury. But maby better now after A long rest

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones only starting because Laporte was injured and Gundo only playing well because KDB is injured are my favourites.

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

        No, gundo was playing well even with kdb in the team

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, I know...

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

    KDB x Gundo Double up

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

      And Cancelo triple up 🙂

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

    Play Martinez (lee shu) or De Agra (che cry) next week?

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

      *De Gea damn autocorrect

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

        I’d go with Marty.

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

      Who's de agra?

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

        Autocorrect

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

      Martinez. United has harry the clown

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

        Matt Cash out makes them par, but yeah

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Marty for fixtures

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

    Benched Stones Antonio and Digne.
    Kinda hoping for an Arsenal goal despite starting Dias. Just to feel better about my choices.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo, Holgate & Lowton here 🙁

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

      Pope, Antonio, Gundo here. At least Spurs scored or Cresswell would have got a CS too!

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

    KDB up front with Gündo behind. CARNAGE!

    Thoughts on KDB for Salah?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      As a former KDB owner - he was incredibly frustrating to own & captain this season

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

        But they’re firing now

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

      At this rate am FH-ing

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watch the game first is the best advice at this moment

  13. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best option to fill missing spaces ??

    A- Vardy, Sterling, Gundo, Taylor/White
    B- Ings, KDB, Gundo, Cresswell
    C- DCL, Sterling, Barnes, Digne
    D- same as C but with KDB + Cresswell

    Team
    Ederson
    Shaw, Dallas ,,,,,
    Salah, Bruno,,,,,,,
    Bamford, Watkins,,,,,

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

      B

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B or D

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

    Trezeguet championship quality

  15. the_duke
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who else is in the benched gundo club?

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

      Moi but have Kev and Cancelo

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

      Hopefully not the same members who benched Antonio also

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Moi

      Didn’t think he’d make it to be fair

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

        Yeah peps comments led me to believe he'd be benched. Oh well, get the big sofa out!

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

          This

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

            Pep said he could have played mid week at Everton if need be.

            It's Pep's way for a bit of ambiguity before the next game to avoid the media spike.

            This or the next one is the way he brushes off questions about individuals playing matches.

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

      Me. Should of bench son instead

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

        I never had son benched at all through the week. Had gundo in the squad before i brought ings in, he made way as i thought he might not make it.

        Can see me dropping out the top 10k here!

    5. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Here. Hope he goes easy

    6. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I do have Cancelo/Dias starting but played Antonio over him so 7 points isn’t much to worry about, hopefully

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

      Gundo bench gang lets go

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

    Kaptain Fudgy in heaven with KdB on his WC this week

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

      he usually destroys Arsenal too

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

      Aren't you back to Kaptain Kane?

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

      Fun game: Guess the final points difference between last week and this?

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

        Need about 15 from KdB to restore parity

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

          115*

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

            Haha

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

            Basically the difference between Antonio and Ings and Pope and McCarthy.

            Although I’d have got Gundogan off the bench for Grealish too....

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

    This game was made for a Grealish haul. Such a shame.

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

      Grealish does hauls?

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

    Who on here knows how long Grealish is out for?

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

        Ta

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

    Looking at Man city's bench, their second team can easily win the premier league.

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

      They're brilliant with a chess discipline approach to team roles with Pep pushing them onwards.

      But sovereign wealth speaks volumes too.

      Even more than Russian riches or the American market money!!

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

    How I’m still on a tiny green arrow (24pts) after selling Antonio for Ings, having no LEI mids and Son blank I have no idea?!

    With Gundo and Dias but no Cancelo and Stones 2nd on bench I’m expecting it to turn red now though

    How’s everyone else doing?

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

      27, but with these to go:

      Sanchez, Cancelo, Stones, Shaw, Fernandes + Raph, Bamford, Dallas, Ings

      Gundogan 2nd on bench behind Kane, so this match may make a rough watch!

  21. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking about ignoring Kane and getting KDB in for Grealish if he looks good today.

    Would be Cancelo,Grealish >> Targett,KDB -4.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm starting to think the same.

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

    Maddison's injury serious ?

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

      didn't look like it did

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

      did have surgery on that part of hip before

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

      Thanks

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

    C'mon Watkins wtf?!

    1. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How has he looked withotu Grealish?

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

        Not very sharp

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

        Pretty bad

        1. Kudo Warrior
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ugh! Was planning to bring him in. FFS!

  24. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes first on the bench, please please stay benched Foden 🙁

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

      He’ll likely come on

    2. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No chance.

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

      He’s likely to get on with KDB and Gundo just back fit unfortunately

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

      same, need a miracle 😆

  25. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option going foward?
    A) Gundogan +Sterling
    B) Son + De Bryune

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

      It will change week to week.

      A for now.

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

    Lots of blanks from my attackers this gw but I have some hidden gems for the next one. For example Kane and Watkins could smash it

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

      Not sure about the Watkins part of that statement but I'll give you Kane

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

      Hidden gems? How? We all want kane

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

        The majority won't go for him cause of his blank

  27. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No Rodri a concern for City defence

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

      Fernandinho is still pretty good.

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Rodri has been solid all season and has more legs

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

      But good for city PK

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

      It's one of those game where they concede one goal after already being 0-3 up

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

    Who's gonna have a front line of this for the DGW...

    DCL Vardy Kane

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

      probably be pretty rare

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

        Piece of cake for those with a huge bank account.

        One rival has 11m itb ffs

        If I had no Son I would easy have these 3

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

          ?

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

            What is the question?

            If you have a big bank roll it's easy. A rival has that. If I didnt own Son I would go for that frontline but unless I sell him I don't see how. Son or Kane for me.

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

              I only said it would be pretty rare, which it will be - not whether I think it's possible/a good idea

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

      Possibly me, see below lol

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

      Not many, even if I’m WC.

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

        even if on* WC.

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

      Tumbleweed

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

      Maybe me if Salah Son out on FH

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

        Decent FH idea

    6. Isco Disco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Here with you mate! Seriously thinking of going with this frontline. Could be a massive score.
      All I need to do is use my FH chip this week instead of 29

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

        You're all tempting me with this

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have it as my plan... And likely to go through with it..

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

    Potential Knee jerk or is son & Bamford > Barnes & DCL

    A. Good move
    B. Silly

    Have Kane & Vardy. Will FH29

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

      A

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

      I would love Vardy but tempted to save the hits and keep Bam as I'm using BB

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

    Should've played Gundo ahead of Watkins

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've should have played him over anybody, 9 blanks so far.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should have played Gundogan ahead of Son