Scout Notes

How Aston Villa fared without Grealish ahead of Double Gameweek 26

Aston Villa 1-2 Leicester

  • Goals: Bertrand Traore (£5.9m) | James Maddison (£7.3m), Harvey Barnes (£6.8m)
  • Assists: John McGinn (£5.5m) | Barnes, Jamie Vardy (£10.1m)
  • Bonus points: Barnes x3, Maddison x2, Traore x1

Double Gameweek 26 messages, both good and bad, abounded as Leicester City impressed in their win over Aston Villa.

Two high-flying teams with a brace of fixtures to come next week meant a lot of Fantasy interest in the game at Villa Park.

And while it was the Foxes who won the match, it was not all doom and gloom for the home side. Mostly, but not all.

A Lack Of Jack

The build-up was dominated by rumours of a shin injury sustained by the 36.9%-owned Jack Grealish (£7.7m), with a tweet from FPL Insider detailing the number of Villa players and staff apparently transferring the midfielder out of their Fantasy teams proving prescient.

Manager Dean Smith was optimistic after the game, contradicting BBC reports his talisman will be out for a month.

“We will assess it as we go. It is certainly not a recurrence of an old injury and certainly not long term. I expect him to be pushing, if not for Leeds, then the week after. But I’ll be guided by the medical staff. They haven’t told me how long he’ll be out for yet, so the speculation is great. We’ll just see how it goes.” – Dean Smith

Smith was rather less positive about the news of Grealish’s injury leaking out.

“I was made aware on social media there were rumours he was not going to play. If that is coming out of our training ground, I will find out where it is coming from and reprimand whoever it is coming from. It is something I would not be happy with.” – Dean Smith

Should the leak end up being linked to FPL transfer activity, it would be a curious case of Fantasy affecting reality – and one which might lead to a clampdown by clubs on their players’ and staff’s involvement in the game. Could that afford Fantasy managers less information from the likes of FPL Insider moving forward?

Ross No Boss

Grealish’s absence certainly blunted Villa’s attacking threat, hardly surprising when the midfielder had been directly involved in half of the side’s goals (six goals, 12 assists) before Sunday’s match.

His obvious understudy, Ross Barkley (£5.9m), had an entirely forgettable game, with zero chances created or shots attempted.

Nor was it a good afternoon for FPL’s most popular keeper, Emiliano Martínez (£5.3m), who got a touch on James Maddison’s (£7.3m) opener and could probably have done better when his parry of Jamie Vardy‘s (£10.1m) shot fell to Barnes for what turned out to be the winner.

Things did pick up for the home side after a dreadful first half, however, and even if Grealish is missing for more than the one match, Villa’s next two opponents, Leeds and Sheffield United, are unlikely to offer the same balance of attacking threat and defensive resolve as Leicester had in abundance.

But there is no denying Grealish’s absence is keenly felt by Villa. They’ve lost all three Premier League matches without him since the start of last season. 

Leicester Fiesta

Goals from Maddison and Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) kept the pair in the top 10 for points scored by FPL midfielders, with the latter adding an assist for a second straight double-digit return.

Maximum bonus meant Barnes finished with 13 points on the day – his joint-best haul of the season – as he led the way, with Maddison, for attempts and by himself for chances created (both four).

Despite nine goals, five assists and a points total now one ahead of the 31.2%-owned Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m), Barnes is still only found in 9.0% of FPL squads.

Goals against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and now Villa suggest he could be fixture-proof, which might up his appeal for Double Gameweek 26’s games against Arsenal and Burnley, two teams who have put in improved defensive performances over recent weeks.

Maddison, meanwhile, is owned by 16.4%, although they wouldn’t have enjoyed seeing their man taken off just after the hour mark at Villa Park, a move Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers explained post-match.

“James Maddison had an issue with his hip last season so we’ll assess that. He felt some pain so as a precaution we took him off.” – Brendan Rodgers

Fatigue Factor

Gundogan fit to start as De Bruyne returns to City XI and Foden drops to bench 1

Leicester played with a speed and intensity that Villa could not cope with in the first half, but that dropped after the interval – perhaps as a result of their Europa League exertions away to Slavia Prague on Thursday.

They will be in continental action again in midweek and although next Sunday’s opponents, Arsenal, will be in the same Euro boat, the Foxes’ fine current run – they’ve lost only once since Gameweek 13 – will be harder to sustain as the fixtures continue to come so thick and fast.

Luke Thomas (£4.2m) was excellent at left-back on Sunday and would be a bargain basement way into a side with nine clean sheets this season – only three teams have managed more – if he can nail down a starting berth that has so far eluded him.

On the opposite flank, Rodgers picked both Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) and Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), presumably to counter the threat of Grealish.

When that failed to materialise, Pereira played essentially as a right winger, although he’s unlikely to be handed further out-of-position roles in the coming weeks.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; El Mohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz (Sanson 81), McGinn; Traoré, Barkley (Ramsey 76), El Ghazi (Trezeguet 67); Watkins.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Castagne, Soyuncu, Evans, Thomas; Ndidi, Tielemans (Choudhury 88); Maddison (Mendy 64), Pereira (Amartey 76), Barnes; Vardy.

Double Gameweek 25 so far…

439 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Leicester look like a strong option in attack.

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

      no Maddison though

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

        Is he even definitely out?

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

    This bench (with -4 hit) looks good to play BB?

    Martinez bam lowton dier

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks pretty good. 3 doublers and Bamford. Lowton's fixtures aren't brilliant, but if your first XI is stronger than that then you're doing well.

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

        Thanks for the reply.

        Yes these are the weakest links on my team. I also have Maddy though so will have to monitor his situation

        Maybe take another -4 for him if it comes to it

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

    Saka to Neto worth a FT?

  4. LC1
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So stuck between DCL or Watkings for DGW26.

    I am confident that DCL scores more over the two games but Watkins could easily get a double figure haul and it also means 1 extra player for BGW29 (and 1m in the bank..)

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

      Both, but if one then DCL.

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

  5. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What needs to happen for Everton to get DGW in 28?

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

    Safe to bring in Castagne?

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

    No Grealish puts a huge dent in all of Villa assets, he just had to get injured the week before the biggest DGW in history

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

      Is he confirmed out for doubles?

      1. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nothing is confirmed, AFAIK. I don't think it will be, either. Dean Smith doesn't seem keen to give out a lot of detail...

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

    The solution would be for professional footballers not to pick their own team mates.

    And for staff not to transfer in response to a real injury update.

    For simplicity, if i was in charge at a club I'd just ban players and staff from picking from their own club so not to provide a deadline update around half an hour before the first match.

    With staggered games it could be quite an early signal too.

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

      What about choosing players from opposing teams when you have a big injury in your team? It's Pandora's box any way you look at it.....

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

        This, a lot of opposing players are good mates.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Or imagine wanting to captain an obvious pick if you're a Sheffield player but the obvious pick is matching Sheffield

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

        sounds simple, but to implement a rule like that would be almost impossible

      4. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Imagine the scenes when Utd players can't pick Bruno lol

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

          That's the bit i thought too.

          But in all honesty if you're playing elite level football with all those rewards, playing a game that can send an accurate signal to your opposition a day or so before kick off is probably not the smartest move.

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The second and third highest scoring players in the game have net transfers out ahead of a double gameweek.

      This game is quite easy sometimes when you just stand still.

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

        Agreed

      2. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Transfers are much more valuable than people think they are!

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

        Yes but some (i.e Son’s) form is seriously off and so if those transfers are to bring in other doublers with better form then it’s not so crazy.

        As they say in investments: past performance is not a guarantee of future gains

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not quite sure I agree that Pereira is so unlikely to be played in a more forward position again, with Castagne, Thomas, Fuchs and Amartey all fit I don't see why it couldn't happen. He could easily play there again to try and combat Aubameyang / Saka next match if Rodgers felt it did the job (and El Ghazi did next to nothing yesterday so I certainly think he'll think about it)

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

      Which differentials are you all targeting ahead of DGW26?

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

        I took Alonso on my WC last week.

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Maitland Niles

        Already have Maja, doubt he gets more than 4pts though.

      3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have AMN and want Diagne too

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

      Am I the only one who feels that Barnes is a trap? He has only 4 fixtures in the next 4 gameweeks, 2 of them being against Arsenal and Burnley..

      Thoughts?

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

        And Brighton

        I don't think he's a trap but he wont live up to the hype imo.

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

          I thought Brighton are like Juventus who are not conceding many goals.

          So which fixture out of the next four are you particularly targeting with Barnes?

      2. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He could end up doing very well, but it's a classic case of recency bias, people getting over excited and probably arriving at something two weeks late.

      3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He is a steal at his price but people are expecting way too much

      4. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        One of those asset which looks like a trap as long as you don't bring him while he continues to do well. Once you get him, he finally turns into a trap. 😉

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

        Perhaps, but nothing to suggest his form will stop. Leicester look so good

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

        In my view, he is currently outperforming and will regress to the mean in the upcoming games.

        Their European excursions together with limited fixtures over the next four game weeks would suggest that their assets should be a no go.

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Point 1 is spot on. And even his high XG chance this week was a keeper spill.

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

            Thanks mate. I’m glad you agree and not everyone is brainwashed after seeing a few decent performances from certain players.

    6. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      11 players on the double.

      Martinez
      Mee Holgate Cancelo Targett
      Sterling Fernandes Gundo Son
      Watkins Kane(c)

      Sanchez Bamford Rafinha Coufal

      A. Triple cap Kane
      B. Bench boost
      C. Hold onto the chips

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

      Better option here lads,will BB DGW26 both options leaves me with .0ITB

      A) Grealish + Brewster > Lookman + Kane (-4)

      B) Grealish + Brewster + Holding > DCL + Barnes + Digne (-8)

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

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

      Best Grealish replacement for DGW26, already have Barnes in my team, cash available 7.8

      A- Maddison
      B- J.Rodriguez
      C- Mount
      D- any other player?

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

        A Barnes and Maddison double up (If Fit) could be a shrewd move

      2. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I fancy J.Rod, but if Maddison is fit he's a good shout too.

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Maddison (if fit) and Barnes double-up

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

        All good options. Mount for differential. Maddison might have injury and J.Rod injury prone.

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

      Captaincy will be key this week. With 12/13 (bar bamford) of the highest scoring assets with a DGW. Have to nail captaincy. Who are the 4 best options. I think DCL Kane Bruno and Salah. Barnes as a differential.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane will be most popular. I think Bruno would be more popular if Palace was first.

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

          I agree re Bruno.

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane, Bruno, Salah and Gundo are the 4 I'm considering

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

          Gundo might have his minutes managed, I am not considering him.

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah probably but I think he will start all the games and doesn't need the full game to haul.

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

        I’m on Sterlo(c)

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

        That's another way of saying "variance will be key this week". As long as you make a reasonable Captain pick everything after that is pure luck so no need to stress about it too much!

    10. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Dallas, Coufal, Ings and Bamford as SGW players atm. And Barnes injured.

      Planning to do Ings, Barnes, Robertson and Coufal to Kane, Watkins, Holgate, + 4.7 def (could be Dier and 4.5def) giving me BB team

      Pope - Martinez
      Cancelo - Maguire - Dallas - Holgate - 4.5def
      Salah - Bruno - Gundo - Foden - Mount
      Kane - Bamford - Watkins

      13DGW players. Another way to get Kane would be losing Salah

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

        Miss clicked post. Are those moves worth of -12. TiA

    11. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For GW 26:

      A) Barnes + DCL
      B) Kane + Bamford

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

        A

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just in isolation - A since they have doubles

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

        A

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

        A but no other way to get Kane?

    12. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looking for transfer suggestions and open to a -4. I have 1 or 2 in mind but would like another opinion.

      WC30/31 FH33 TC undecided

      1FT 1.1itb
      Martinez
      Cancelo Stones Digne
      Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha*
      Kane DCL Bamford*
      (Pope Soucek Cresswell Holding)

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

      Pope --> Lloris worth -4?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just go with Martinez

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

          I have him. Im gonna BB.

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Just go with Areola for BB

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

        No

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

      I’m pretty settled with the core of my wc team.
      Will FH in 29.
      Pls help me fill the last gaps:

      A. R pereira digne (raphina)
      B. Vardy shaw (ESR)
      C. R pereira son (Brewster)

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

        A

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

      Stuck mulling over a few options, would appreciate any help. 1FT 1.2m in the bank. All chips intact and will probably FH in 29.

      Pope
      Dias Cancelo Digne
      Gundo Salah Bruno Maddison Raph
      Kane Bamford

      Mccarthy Dallas Coufal Brewster

      A. Bamford -> DCL
      B. Pope -> Martinez
      C. Both A and B for -4
      D. Brewster + Coufal -> Maja + Konsa (-4) then BB

      Would really appreciate any advice! Currently leaning towards C

      1. LIH0U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        C does sound the safest option, depends how risky you want to take it, Maja definitely has potential and is a good punt, while getting rid of deadwood Brewster and keeping 2 decent strikers still... I’d be leaning towards the punt for that BB, not many better opportunities in the future to use it really

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

      Would you start Johnstone over Pope?I will also start Mee.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure. Even though Burnley have tough fixtures on paper, they still have a decent defence. I can't trust WBA defence to keep a CS

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

        Yeah

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

        cheers

    17. LIH0U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Current Midfield of Raphinha, Gundo, Grealish, Bruno & Barnes.

      Ridding Raphinha for Son for 26, with Grealish out I’m needing another replacement, £8.6m budget.

      With Maddison out I’m a bit stumped, Teilemans tends to rack up some decent bonus when Leicester win, and very creative.

      Any viable options would be much appreciated.

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

      WC team:

      Martinez
      Digne Cancelo Shaw
      Sterlo(C) Gundo Bruno Barnes
      Vardy DCL Kane

      Sanchez Lookman Burn Strujik

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

        Not a fan of Shaw, can't see a CS before 29 which is blank.

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

          Attacking threat innit

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

      Best triple captaincy candidate in the upcoming DGW26

      A. Kane
      B. DCL
      C. Bruno
      D. Salah
      E. Barnes
      F. Son.
      G. Watkins
      H. Martinez
      I. Someone else

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

        A or C

      2. LIH0U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        TC keeper sounds fun lol

        Realistically Kane or Bruno

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A, C or D

    20. RJT14
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    21. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A. Mee/Ings/Grealish>Davies/Kane/Barnes (-8)
      B. Grealish/Ings>Son/Watkins (1.7 to upgrade elsewhere for a hit)

      Pope
      Cancelo, Dias, Mee
      Fernandes, Grealish, Salah, Gundogan, Raphinha (single)
      DCL, Bamford (single)
      Steer, Ings, Coufal, Mitchell

      Have WC,BB & TC left

    22. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which is the way to go?!?

      A) Rashford + Bamford +4 pts
      B) Kane + Raphinha

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

      Any players tonight? I have Lewis Dunk

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

        Zero. 4 tomorrow 🙂

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

        Dan Burn. And Sanchez in lots of FanTeams. Basically just need a Brighton CS.