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

    Amazes me from a foreigner looking in that Southgate can’t find 2 good CB’s for England. Mings is an embarrassment

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's Stones and Maguire quite comfortably imo.

      Coady backup CB.

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

      England will be found out as usual when they play a team ranked higher than 20.

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Like when we beat Spain 3-2 in their own backyard?

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

          Have you seen Spain recently. Not a top team anymore.

          1. Hangman Page
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Ranked 6th in the world though and you said top 20?

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

              Okay top 5. Lol.

              1. Hangman Page
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Lol.

                The fact is this isn’t as good a group as people think. Yes Kane is world class and Grealish is very exciting but most of what we have is potential IMO. A lot of young attackers who we are rightly excited about.

                Defensively we aren’t great and I think Southgate knows that and is playing cautiously for a reason. Not saying that’s the right choice, but he’s earned a shot at the Euros by giving us the best WC run since ‘90.

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

                  As an Ireland fan we can only look on in envy. England will always be there or thereabouts in all competitions. May not win them but as a fan you get full value for money.

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

          Also lost to them 2-1 at home, don’t see beating a Spain team that’s a shell of its former self meaning as much anymore as it did up to 6 or so years ago

    3. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      “Embarrassment” is just complete nonsense.

      He’s a solid centre half who is prone to the odd error.

      I also heard him speak on the radio earlier and he’s very considered and articulate.

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

        I agree zen, all defenders make error.

        So much bitterness on here due to people defenders conceding . It’s only a game

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

        When the likes of VVD and Ramos make errors, I bet he doesn't pipe up.

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yep and before his injury VVD was playing like he was stoned.

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

            What I said has nothing to do with FPL, it’s about England national team. Comparing VVD at the beginning of the season having just won the league to Mings in week 30 of a season is not applicable

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      His best one being injured doesn’t help.

      Maguire & Stones, what could go wrong... he might still play a 3.

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If you're referring to Gomez then that is truly truly laughable

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      he's a decent cb but nothing more in my opinion. Bit of a big lump

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        i'd rather have konsa over mings but mings has some leadership qualities

    6. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        England don't currently have any international quality cbs, simple as that. The days of rio Terry Campbell are gone, people have their favourites but it's slim pickings

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

          This is what I’m trying to refer to, the fact Mings even gets a game in a WC qualifier amazes me

      • Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The answer lies in the statement. Southgate is clueless

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          A World Cup semi and 9/9 points in qualifying so far, a memorable win in Spain and the Nations League final.

          Be good to see what we would do with a clued up manager.

          You can never please some people.

          1. Guru Mediation
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            He's done a great job turning the squad into a more enjoyable environment and that yields results on the pitch. Seriously lacking when it comes to the tactical side of the game though, and that's what will hold England back in the big games

            1. Hangman Page
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I agree to an extent but I thought he did well to set up a decent system with a relatively poor squad at the WC.

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

                He has a lot of pressure on him, but that’s the same as any manager. He did okay at the WC but also had an easy run. May or may not be his fault but why can the England national team not get 15 or whatever is it excellent players on a field

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

            This is why sport professionals don't listen to "fans".

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

              Without the fans there isn’t a sports ‘profession’

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

                Playing for and listening to are 2 different things.

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

      Villa without Grelish ... would they be fighting relegation?

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

        They were playing like this the last few games with him

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

      just wondering, how do people with triple Villa navigating this GW. lol.

      BECAUSE I JUST CAN'T.

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

      Need a Martinez save and Watkins goal with Targett assist!

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

        Just need the first one.

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

        Anything else

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

        Vanilla ice cream w that? lol

    10. Toothless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who to go with?

      a) Ederson + Azpilicueta
      or
      b) Mendy + Dias

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

      He almost predicted the exact minute and manner of Villa losing the CS

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/23643307

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

      Watkins on pens now.

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

        Bad news for owners as that’s -2 if Villa win one

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

        Martinez

    13. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Martinez to Mendy yay or nay? Martinez seems to have the most difficult fixtures till end of season. I am hoping the 2-5 loss yesterday was an aberration for Chelsea.

    14. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why are people selling Big Emi? Ima keep till the end of the season.

    15. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      England should just go Maguire Shaw AWB as a 3 with Trent and Chilwell as WBs. Our CHs are all shocking

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

      20pts with 1 player remaining.

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That’s impossible because Kane alone scored 26

    17. Kaneyonero
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Areola and Aina 3rd bench. Gundo and Cancelo no show, Bale 2 mins on the pitch. Watkins 1st sub Keane 2nd. Talk about bad luck. At least I captained Kane so there's that lol

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

        What a difference 8 minutes makes aye?

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

          Ah timing eh

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

      Great moments on FFS part 237:
      Play Mendy or Martinez this weekend (GW30) lads. They have West Brom and Fulham. Neither can score, so it's the safest CS points you'll ever get.

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I have Areola on the bench and played Martinez 🙁

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Good decision making

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

            Not a problem now.

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

        1 1

      3. Cruicky
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Grealish has given most of these Villa lads a career and kept Dean Smith in a job singlehandedly. Special player.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Facts, people still don't realise just how good Grealish is

        2. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Trezeguet G mings A

          1. Messiah Hazard
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yay no Watkins, Targett involvement

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

          Good, no CS for Areola either, was on my bench.

        4. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Trezeguet?? Oh come on

        5. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Mings' assist. Southgate will give him the armband.

        6. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ugh why couldn't that be a Targett assist

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

            Because he hadn't anything to do with the goal.

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

              What?

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

          Good. Martinez on bps?

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

            Nope

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Isn't he on 1?

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

                  Wasn't updated. Hope he gets one.

              • JBG
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                1bp

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

            trez again

          3. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Martinez one save away from a bap?

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Not anymore i guess

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

            Egyptian Messi is on a hatty

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

            Gotta laugh, Watkins owners

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 11 months ago

                You missed out "at"

            2. Zilla
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              The real Egyptian king.

              1. The White Pele
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                no doubt.

            3. HuttonDressedasLahm
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Look and learn Ollie!!

            4. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Somebody here had Keenan Davis coming off the bench

              • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Davis owner rejoice

              • HonestBlatter
                • 13 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                SEASON OVER