Dugout Discussion

Grealish in Aston Villa matchday squad as Guaita benched for Crystal Palace

As Dean Smith alluded to in his post-Everton press conference, Jack Grealish (£7.5m) is on the Aston Villa bench for the second consecutive gameweek.

Having pushed the boat out by bringing the England international after 72 minutes on Thursday, Smith may look for a longer stretch from Grealish at Selhurst Park.

Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) is unexpectedly absent from the Aston Villa squad, having picked up a knock as Smith’s men drew 0-0 with Everton during Triple Gameweek 35.

“Him and Emi [Martinez] collided knees but he’s a tough old cookie and should be OK.” – Dean Smith

Matt Cash (£5.0m) is a more predictable absentee, with Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.2m) drafted in at right-back.

Ollie Watkins (£6.5m) makes an immediate return to the Villa XI after a one-match ban, with budget forward Keinan Davis (£4.2m) dropping to the bench. Ross Barkley (£5.8m) is also replaced in Smith’s starting line-up by Jacob Ramsey (£4.5m).

The big Crystal Palace team news is that Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) finds himself on the bench as Jack Butland (£4.5m) earns his first Premier League minutes of the season.

Unexpected line-up changes, such as this decision from Roy Hodgson, could become commonplace for the final two gameweeks of the season as teams find themselves safe from relegation or with greater priorities in the close season.

Tyrick Mitchell (£3.8m) makes a fourth successive start at left-back for Palace, with Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) not in the matchday squad due to personal reasons.

Butland’s inclusion is one of five changes made by Hodgson – who appears to have set his team out in a 4-3-3 system – as Gary Cahill (£4.5m), James McCarthy (£4.3m), Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.3m) and Andros Townsend (£5.5m) all come in.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Butland; Mitchell, Cahill, Kouyaté, Ward; Schlupp, McCarthy, Eze; Zaha, Benteke, Townsend.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett, Hause, Konsa, Elmohamady; McGinn, D Luiz; B Traoré, Ramsey, El Ghazi; Watkins.

603 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Awful gw so far.

    All riding on Spurs, Liverpool and Everton players now.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same here and have no EVE myself ... red arrow incoming, and consistently 😛

  2. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Captain son, we go!!

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same here

  3. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How did Lingard look last night? Worth keeping?

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He's always been an imposter

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Busy, but never really threatened the goal. Brighton are a solid outfit though.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I see. Not sure I can sell with wba next.

    3. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah would probably hold for that one, most of their attacking play started with him

  4. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My FH bench (Dallas, Cresswell, el Ghazi) has rescued my Man City FH blanks. Good lads.

    Not sure my live rank is getting better than it is right now. Need something from Bale and nothing from Salah.

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I've got Alioski and Adams coming on for 19 points instead of Mahrez and Foden
      My last sub is Mitchell who might be needed instead of Bale

      Only on 2 actual points so far with just McCarthy having played

      1. Casual Player
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Nice one, that tops me.

        I hope Bale starts. Or if he doesn’t he needs to warm the bench all game

  5. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Made some bad bench decisions this week.
    Lesson learned- always play attacker over defender.

    Need injury now to get El Ghazi's points.

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    The way El Ghazi has been operating from the left wondering if I should play him over Lingard. Can easily exploit the Spurs' weak right right side. But Lingard has West Brom!

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play Lingard (wba) or Bamford (sou)? Or getting rid of both 😆

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Jesse

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lingard.

    3. That TV angle at Highbury
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lingard

  8. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    All my hard work from last week undone

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hard work ?

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

      Zaha brace in second half and you will be ok

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep exactly, only thing was that I did not work hard at all 😛

  9. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Really need Watkins to slow down and Kane (C) masterclass

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane walking in stadium on sky sports . 🙂

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same here

  10. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Just bought my new 2021/22 Arsenal Away Kolasinac shirt

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      #10

  11. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Tiniest of tiny green arrows overnight - went up by 12 places.
    Pretty sure that’s the smallest change I’ve ever had.

  12. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What is the best Euro Fantasy? Is there only one?

    1. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Claudia Schiffer

      1. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Oldy but goody!

      2. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Vanessa pardis?

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

      If you download the Euro2020 app there is a fantasy game on there. Rules similar to FPL. Even has wildcard and Limitless chips!!

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What are the Cheeky Girls up to these days?
      Proper filth those two.

  13. That TV angle at Highbury
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which two to start for GW37?
    A. Iheanacho (vs Chelsea)
    B. Benteke (vs Arsenal)
    C. Coufal (vs WBA)
    D. Lingard (vs WBA)
    E. Struijk (vs Southampton)

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      CD or BD

      1. That TV angle at Highbury
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, I think those two options are what I am also leaning towards.

  14. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    After my rival bought Mitchell this GW for a hit. Seeing Palace concede pretty much guaranteed he'd get attacking returns.

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      wow, how annoying for you!

  15. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Phew, Bale at least starts.

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Phew indeed!

  16. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Taking Zaha instead of benteke has become worst decision so far will cost title too

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Me too. Was so close to Davis to benteke too

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

    Tottenham Hotspur
    @SpursOfficial
    ·

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

      Lloris (C), Tanganga, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilón, Højbjerg, Dele, Lo Celso, Bale, Son, Kane.

  18. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dele Alli starts. I was considering him for a punt. Could score well today

  19. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Having an awful gw:
    Vydra: 2, Lingard: 2, Antonio: 2, Martinez: 2 minus -4 hit I am on 4 from 4 🙁

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not that far away here with Konsa Bamford Coufal Lingard Dallas

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

      You forgot Martinez’ inevitable penalty save

  20. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilón, Son, Kane .... let’s go

  21. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane haul or son haul?? Title match for me

    1. justaguy9
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hopefully son and bale. Though i have all 3 spurs attackers. C son

    2. Salan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Probaby Bale

  22. justaguy9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Currently on minus 3 from 5.

    I need a spurs goal fest. C son bale and kane.

    The last thing i need is a tight wolves defense

    1. justaguy9
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I mean minus 3 net from 3.

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wolves in a back four vs. Spurs.
    Me likely Wolves in a back four.

  24. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    TOT: Lloris, Tanganga, Alderweireld, Reguilón, Dier, Son, Lo Celso, Alli, Højbjerg, Bale, Kane
    Subs: Hart, Sánchez, Doherty, Sissoko, Lamela, Winks, Ndombele, Bergwijn, Lucas Moura

    WOL: Patrício, Semedo, Coady, Saïss, Hoever, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Traoré, Gibbs-White, Vitinha, Fabio Silva
    Subs: Ruddy, Kilman, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Boly, Marçal, Cundle, Neves, Corbeanu, Willian José

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yes Saisssss start, 11 players this gw

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers

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

      Struggled finding Son for a moment! This is going to be massive, biggest home win of the season imo

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

    The week I start Davis he’s on the bench lol

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He's always on the bench?

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

        Started last week

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Because Watkins was suspended, duh.

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

            Oops ofc

            1. MIGHTY JOE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Yes please!!

              1. MIGHTY JOE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 10 months ago

                To your comment in the post above*

  26. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have Zaha touched the ball yet?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Captained Mo instead of Kane or Son.

    Mistake?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Will tell you later tonight.

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      EO suggests it was the right thing - we can cheer on hauls from both

  28. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wolves won 3, a draw and a loss at Spurs in the last 5 encounters.

    Bogey team?

  29. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What is more dangerous?
    Selling a gun?
    selling an online betting app.?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      One can harm others.

      The other harms you and your family most.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Sooooo True

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sorry. Wrong forum.

  30. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    benteke so close