Dugout Discussion

The reason for Grealish’s absence as Mitrovic is recalled for Villa v Fulham

Having returned to full training over the March international break, Jack Grealish (£7.5m) was expected to make a playing comeback for Aston Villa’s clash with Fulham this afternoon.

The Villa talisman is absent from the hosts’ matchday squad, however, with Dean Smith reporting that the England international pulled up in training on Saturday.

The Villa boss said:

He’s trained this week and was looking really good but he had some discomfort yesterday and pulled out after 10 minutes in training. We erred on the side of caution as we must do. He was all up for playing [until then].

The hosts will be looking to improve on their sub-per record without Grealish: they have scored on just three occasions in the six matches he has missed.

Smith makes one change to the side that started the 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) comes in for Trezeguet (£5.2m) in the Villa head coach’s only tweak to his starting XI.

Scott Parker has made four alterations to the side that started the Cottagers’ defeat to Leeds United a fortnight ago.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m) is the most notable name among the quartet of returnees, with Josh Maja (£5.5m) dropping to the bench.

Parker said of the Serb’s recall:

His form for his country has played a big part. The last game in terms of selection [in Gameweek 29], it was nip and tuck, really, he came off the back of very good work, training-wise. Well deserves his chance.

Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.3m), Kenny Tete (£4.3m) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) are also additions to the line-up, with Antonee Robinson (£4.4m), Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) dropping to the bench.


Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Sanson, Traore, Watkins, El Ghazi

Fulham XI: Areola, Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina, Reed, Lemina, Reid, Loftus-Cheek, Lookman, Mitrovic.

710 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How is Robbo as an alternative to TAA?

    I don’t have spare 0.2m to bring in the latter

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TAA is TAA period.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's good. But if Alonso starts we're nailed on he's as good as either for much less. Castagne, Shaw, Pereira other good alternatives.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Since GW20 TAA crushes Robbo on most relevant stats - clear favourite.

      Do you have Shaw? Would get him over Robbo.

  2. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez with 2 saves already, this could be an interesting CS vandalism by Fulham.

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Martinez double digits confirmed...
      https://imgur.com/gallery/dt6iCim

  3. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who’d you rather have on WC?
    A) Ederson
    B) Dias (5.8 SV)
    C) no city defender at all

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’m keeping Dias. I get Philips as back up

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Considering that.
        but also considering if it’s worth paying .3 extra and not missing out on any CS’s

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Or save 1.0 and get more CSs with Mendy?

          1. Thomas Magnum
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Most likely will need to go Rudiger instead and save .5

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B especially if going Forster as a 2nd keeper (gw33 blanks).
      C is arguably valid depending where else you'll spend the cash.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm firmly in the Ederson camp but it takes 4.5 more on Sanchez in 33.

      Think one City defender is a good call and still have benchable Stones too and don't intend to part with him soon. In your shoes I might keep cheaper Dias rather than go Ederson.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ederson. Won't be rotated, CS + save points.

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A would be the best city player to have.

  4. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If David Luiz out for a long period is Rob Holding likely to be nailed as starter?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes. Nice price but if Tierney misses a few games their poor CS record can only get worse.

    3. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Even less chance of the keeping clean sheets. He will just be another bed wetter.

  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas to TAA for a hit?

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      worth it.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas sellers club will be in force, I'm binning for Trent myself for - 4.

  6. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need a Watkins brace

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Never going to happen..........

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      His teeth are grand.

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's consistent with a brace of points tbf.

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Excellent, I needed a bit of pure fantasy in my day ...

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Oh dear.

  7. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Targett + Bale > Salah + Fodder -4

    Yey or nay?

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fodder is 5th defender

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota is better option imo.

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah?

    3. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why waste 6m on over done fillet steak when you can have a lovely medium rare rump steak for half the price?

  8. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC, wainting for advices

    Mendy (button)
    taa diaz coady (rudiger mitchell)
    Son bruno salah jota neto
    Kane iheanacho brewster

    1. Change neto to someone?
    2. Taa to philips and upgrade?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d keep as is, presuming you have 0itb? Could just downgrade Brewster to 4.2 Davis for a little pocket change for later because they both I presume won’t be seen on your pitch

  9. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Grealish will be fit to start for City next season.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Feels like something fishy is going on that Smith is trying to hide right?

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Smith lives in a fantasy world. 😀

  10. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Watkins is one the best strikers in the premier league.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, of course ... by striker ... you mean someone who refuses to do the job they are paid to do ... and therefore goes ‘on strike, ...

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haters gonna hate m8

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Championship level player being dragged along by Grealish's brilliance

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          😆

      • diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Of those who play regularly (i.e. Aguero not in that list this season), Kane, Ings, Bamford, DCL, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Wilson, Vardy, Antonio all better.

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Bamford same level. Both Championship players.

      • Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not very funny...............worse than a championship player.............

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Grealish, Raphinha, Ings. The attackers to buy from the bottom half clubs. Would badly hurt Villa and Southampton (Leeds will probably be okay), but would be decent options for any club.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Could add Pereira in perhaps - not seen that much of him I'll confess.

        And of course Jiminez if he comes back fit.

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Alonso. Hold or sell?

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hold

    5. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Does that count as a save?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yup

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        As long as it’s on target and he stops it going in basically

    6. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Martinez save point

    7. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Emi 3 saves...bring more easy ones

    8. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is Villa clean sheet looking likely here? Would pretty much save my gameweek

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        0-0 all over it

      3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No mate, Fulham all over them

      4. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Also badly need a Villa clean sheet here.
        How’s Baltimore treating you, bubbles?

    9. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Any chance one of the Wolves Centre backs are rested tomorrow like my Cancelo/Rudiger were so it goes in my favour for once and I get a rare Kilman start?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Can’t see why

    10. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      With many playing their WC 31 .... who are they players whom you will unceremoniously be banishing from your team, with nothing but regret staining their tenure with you, in the hope that if you ever hear of them again it’s because they moved away to play their football in Afghanistan?

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Auba lasted 2 weeks in my team. He fits the bill.

        1. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Actually cumultive of 4 weeks. Had him the first 2 gameweeks as well. Plus with that haircuit he needs to be banished.

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Watkins ... Bale ... Slabhead ... Docherty

      3. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably all of them tbh the way my season has gone 🙁

      4. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bamford has been banished

      5. Flair
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Watkins...

    11. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Villa without Grealish are nothing - verges on Palace minus Zaha.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This, still can’t understand how they went from relegation to top half of the table for a while with the squad they have, even with Grealish. Guess a lot of it came down to the Martinez effect

      2. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Good comparison. Tbh I thought they had more on them since not even Grealish on it seemed there were other quality players also linking up and scoring but yeah no...

    12. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you had to leave one OUT of your WC team, who would it be?

      A. TAA
      B. Salah
      C. Son

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Assuming you're WC'ing this week then probably Salah.

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Salad

    13. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No WC and just a few pts above 2nd in ML

      A) Bale > Salah
      B) Bale,Dallas,Raph > Salah,Phillips,Jota(-8)

      Areola
      Azpi Shaw Dias
      Bruno Son Gundo Bale Raph
      Kane Antonio

      martinez, veltman bamford dallas

    14. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      'Marvelous Nakamba' best named footballer in history? (On Fulham's bench)

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        To Madiera

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Championship manager legend 😀

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mark De Man is Belgian who plays for KSC Hasselt .... which is superb.

      3. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Danny Invincible is good too ...

      4. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        player from Australia who played in the Scottish league a few years back named Danny Invincible is a good one as well

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          One more thing and Thomas Magnum would be an invincible partnership. Telepathic.

      5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Edit: I meant Villa's bench.

    15. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pen to Villa

    16. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Clearly got the ball

      1. MOZIL
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Clearly a pen

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          No chance

    17. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      var review

    18. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No pen

    19. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No penalty following VAR review. Watkins thought he had got away with it, but nope.

    20. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Will Watkins ever return again?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nope, cursed.
        Not sure how he made England squad

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Never. Not ever. He wants to return his player license, the fraud.

      3. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        As soon as we ship him out

    21. JJO
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who was fouled and who was supposed to take it 🙂 ?

      1. lewis274
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        watkins and watkins

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Watkins x2

        • JJO
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks guys

      3. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Surely no pen?