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

    Please be Davis assist

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

    Of course, this week really couldn’t get any f****g worse, load of s***

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

      What’s wrong now?

  3. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Olllieeeeee

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

    Hahahahaha ... you’re still terrible Olly. I’ll take your rare contribution though LOL, now pack your bags kid bye bye ...

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

      Watkins to Davis to save money and keep Raphinha 😉

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

    Davis to score. He has to, I believe in him

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

    Lollie Watkins tricking owners into holding on for another week.

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

      Does it matter if he's delivering points?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How sporadically spaced though?

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Love to see it

  7. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    My heart was bracing itself for another offside goal from Watkins

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

    Martinez 5 saves. 1 more needed

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

      Not really
      We all have him

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

        Not at my rank

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

    Need mitrovic yellow

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

    I get rid of Watkins this week after 4 months of patience and he scores a goal... this game is frustrating....

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

      I ditched Diagne after 4 weeks of naff all.

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

    In order to win this week's FFS HU match (and on paper my team was better, I was sure), I now require an Antonio hattrick...

  12. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan Trezeguet. Get in my son!!!!

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

      What made you pick that fella any relation?

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

    Oh no..... might have to keep Watkins now 😆

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I really wouldn’t, much better options available with Villa’s poor fixtures coming up

  14. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    benched Watkins for Bale 🙁

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

    Shocked at how many teams still have Watkins.

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

      Always bigger fish to fry
      Also no other strikers performing at that price

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

    Deano lives in the real world not the fantasy one...

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

    Watkins likes scoring against the big teams San Marino, Fulham. Liverpool.

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

    A GOAL FROM WATKINS?!?! OMG

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just had to be him

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

        Well overdue

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

    Martinez save

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

      I need every point

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

    Still time for Martinez save and Davis goal

  21. dogtanion
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez 6 saves

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

    #6

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

    Martinez save ? Juhuuuuuuu come oooon Davis !!! Your turn baby boyb

  24. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is that a 6th save extra Martinez point now ?

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

    Martin6z

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

    44 plus Bruno and DCL’s haul to go, not the disaster I thought it would be in the end

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

      Make that 45 plus any bonus Marty might get

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Quite low with only 2 to go no?

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

        Well 3 to go but that’s if Kilman gets a rare start

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

      No lingard no party

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

        Had him last week

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

    YESSSSSSSS

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

    Martinez you beauty. Any chance for bonus ?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

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

    Marty McFly always delivers.

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

    Emiiiiiiii