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

    Watkins can never do anything good! Thanks for the false hopes!

  2. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Phew ... was worried about Watkins losing 2 points there

  3. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last chance today for Watkins in my team. He's blown it spectacularly so far

  4. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    can't argue with that, exactly what var is for, clearly got the ball

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

      Can’t hate VAR when it’s used properly for occasions like that

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

    How’s this WC look? Not entirely convinced, but seems it’ll be close to as good as I can in order to fit Kane,Son,Bruno,Salah & TAA with my TV.
    Sanchez Forster
    TAA Dias Rudiger Cooper Phillips
    Bruno Salah Son Lingard Raphinha
    Kane Antonio Vydra
    0.0itb

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

      Any quick thoughts before I head of to sleep will be much appreciated 🙂

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I can’t fault that. I even like the Vydra punt - got my eye on him for 8th attacker

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

          Thanks! He seems a pretty decent option right now especially with the form and game time, worst case he can become Davis at 4.2 and I can upgrade a defender or something with the extra money. Appreciate the feedback!

  6. 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?

    * no other chips
    * 0.3 itb

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

      Just downgrade Brewster to Davis and upgrade Mitchell to Phillips imo

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

        Cant have 4 LIV players

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

          Yes, quite. That was the only real standout criticism I had tbf

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

    Any ideas if Nacho will fit in XI after Madders is a starter? Yes he has played well, but that sub yesterday kind of reassured my fears that Nacho would be slipping to bench again.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I doubt it. Maddison just plays behind the attacking duo instead of Perez...

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

      I’m staying well away, feel I’ve missed his points and he’ll eventually lose his spot again. And when it happens I’ll lose some value on him cause when the time comes I’ll have other fires to put out and he’ll just drop in value. If he can get only 70 mins with Madison coming back imagine when Barnes does

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Barnes is 6 weeks away from returning and let's not forget LEI was playing City...

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

          More like 3 at most 4. Expected return start of April

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

      I think Rogers would be mad to change it. Vardy hasn’t been firing at all, Inch is the only reason Leicester are still top four.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I just got player of the month award... but somehow he's about to lose his starting spot apparently... go figure.

  8. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thank God Parker remembers he has Mitrovic in his team

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

      6th defender?

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

    On wc

    1. Taa and neto
    2. Philips and mount/lingz

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

      I’m not sure Philips is totally nailed ; Klopp has rotated next to Kabak depending on opponent ... but those are better midfield options

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1

    3. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1

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

    Lookman doon.

  11. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Took a calculated risk and played bench boost this week.No luck whatsoever though.
    Chelsea get a man sent off and concede 5.
    Azpi 0 points.
    Grealish flying all week .Gets injured again.
    0 points
    Son back from injury . Only plays a half.
    1 point
    Forster playing against Burnley
    2 points.
    3 Leeds against Sheffield.I mean come on.
    10 points
    One catastrophe after another.

  12. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Early thoughts.
    Lingard, Bamford ->
    ESM, Vardy -4 =

    Areola
    TAA Digne Dunk
    (S)alah Son Jota Raphinha
    Kane Vardy DCL

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

      Honestly looks good on paper but just not sure on selling Lingard right now, will have to wait and see how he looks against wolves

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Indeed. Based on fixtures only. It's a gamble! Think I need to do it.

  13. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    oliver watkins

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

    On WC

    1. Pedro neto
    2. Odeegrd

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

      Neto.

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neto

  15. highsguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on WC?

    Leno, Forster
    Coady, Dias, Azpi, TAA, Shaw
    Bruno, Lingard, Jota, Son, Raphinha
    Ings, Kane, Iheanacho

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

      Genuinely really like it, must have a very good TV. Only downside is you’ll have a benching headache every week

      1. highsguy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks! I don't mind the extra flexibility, although I'll kick myself when I inevitably bench a haul

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

      Antonio instead of Ings
      Mendy instead of Leno
      Mount instead of Raphina

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

        Honestly don’t mind the Ings punt, his blank is off putting but haven’t seen him much so could be a good differential

        1. highsguy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Mount is very much in my thinking. It'll be either Antonio or Lingard, but not both. Ings is definitely a punt and if he's in form he's somewhat fixture proof

  16. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Another Emi save

  17. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    5th save for Martinez

    Nailed on for a haul

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Unlucky

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

      Cursed us...

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

    Some more of these lame shots from Fulham please.

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

      This

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

    Would you expect A to outscore B and if so by how much?

    A) Phillips(AVL) Jota(AVL)

    B) Veltman(EVE) + Raphinha(mci)

  20. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    why I am watching this horrid match?

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

      I can only assume it’s against your will and at gunpoint .... I’d call the police but I’m afraid I’m in the same boat ...

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

    I really need to get Watkins. Sell Bamford or Antonio?

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

      If you have Kane, ship him out. Watkins is the real deal.

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

      Sell Kane for him 🙂

    3. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane

  22. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So Fulham clean sheet is looking possible

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

      With the worlds finest striker, Watkins on the park woooohahahaha ... eh, yes, I think you may be correct.

  23. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    LOL

  24. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    MIT G

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

    Martinez 6 saves. just hooooooold.

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

      Timing

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Timing

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Timing

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lolorama

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

      ffs.

  26. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Triple CS busted 🙁

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

      Risky !

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

    My fault. 60 mins on the fpl site to see my points. Sorry chaps.

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same here. Had Martinez, Konsa, Targett. Couldn't resist 🙁

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Oh screw you Villa

  29. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Feck yes Fulham lets go win it!!!!!!!!

  30. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Had all those points for 40 seconds....