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. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Where is Ollie, where?

    1. Effe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      On the scoresheet

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

    Very good finish son, eyes on the ball

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

    This weekend is the reason why Newcastle will survive and Fulham will go down.

  4. Effe
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    One more save Martinez please

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

      This

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

    What the hell was that celebration about?

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

      Hopefully about a grand fine

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

      Tribute to john halker

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe he's a Jeffery Epstein death sceptic.

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

    Need that 6th Emi save.

    1. Effe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This

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

    Where is all the Watkins owners at???

    Show urself!

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

      At this point "nowhere to hide" doesn't apply as they have successfully hidden themselves.

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

        I have to find other phrase now th one starting with N seems to warrant a ban 🙁

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

          Nowhere to hide for Alonso cappers

          Kane (C) the man

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

    3 minutes ago Aureola was on 7pts, now 1....that is how my GW is going

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

      It's how most of our gameweeks have been this season.

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

    Lol missed all football up until now.
    - Adams benched
    - son benched
    - no Kane (went Salah (c) as chasing)
    - Martinez and Watkins..

    Happy Fulham are fighting though. Just awful fantasy football week

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

      Still happy?

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

        Haha less so... last live game I saw 1000 years ago was at Craven Cottage in the championship; so I have a soft spot. Probs seen them there again next season

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

          Crumbs, Fulham were around in 1021 AD?

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

    Ooer as if Martinez has conceded

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

    Come on Marty . One more.

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

    Trezeguet 17 goals away from top scorer now.

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

    Come oooon Davis!!!

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

    Group hug Davis owners juhuuuuuuu

  15. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    352 on wildcard with keenan davies?

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

      I am on that both. He is 4.2

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

    olly goal

  17. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    50 with Bruno, Antonio and Cressy, average?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bit below

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

    Gial needed from Davis !!! Come ooon boy !!! DO A JOTA

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

    Watkinssssss

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

    Watkins goal

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

    Not Oli, Davis to score .

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

    Crapkins scores.

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

    WGTA?

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

      Traore

  24. @persecuted_by_mods
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fulham relegation confirmed

    • Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Finally

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

      First good thing. Nice one Watkins all is forgiven

    • dogtanion
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What an absolutely incredible finish by Watkins ! The cheek to even try something like that!

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

        The audacity of the man LOL ... first goal in 8 and he thinks he’s a striker.

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

      Rank killer.

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

      Ollieeeeee!!!!

      Still selling ya

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

        Ha this time 100x

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

        Upvote of the week

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

        Haha this

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

      trying to force Trezeguet to be Targett.
      what am I even saying, should be hiding.