Dugout Discussion
26 December 2021 830 comments
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Aston Villa v Chelsea follows the 3pm goal-fest and on paper, this should be a tighter affair than the four Gameweek 19 fixtures that have already been and gone.

Steven Gerrard’s troops have been defensively sound since the change in management at Villa Park, keeping clean sheets against Brighton and Hove Albion and Norwich City and producing creditable rearguard efforts against Manchester City and Liverpool.

No side has conceded fewer goals than the Blues this season, meanwhile, although they’ve banked only one clean sheet in their last six matches.

As for the team news, Thomas Tuchel makes two changes from the side that started the 0-0 draw at Wolves a week ago.

Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi are recalled at the expense of the benched Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta, who join Romelu Lukaku among the substitutes.

Gerrard, who is missing this evening after a positive Covid-19 test of his own, also makes two changes to his last league line-up, which came 12 days ago.

Danny Ings and Morgan Sanson are promoted to the starting XI, with Ashley Young and John McGinn both absent.


Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, Sanson, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Steer, Traore, Tuanzebe, Trezeguet, El Ghazi, Hause, Chukwuemeka, Davis, Iroegbunam

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Kovacic, Lukaku, Níguez, Barkley, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Sarr

830 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    James hooked at HT here I reckon. Looks shot to pieces. Even before the goal.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      And pen to Chelsea

  2. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hahaha perfect goal not owning James

  3. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What a decision on FH to get rid of James! It gets even sweeter haha!

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Haha my rival did that on a FH too, got Dalot instead!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wow kudos!

  4. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    CHO wins pen

  5. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea pen

  6. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pen Chelsea

  7. Ivan Toney Soprano
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    When I'd been begging for a James goal thats not what I meant

  8. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone on lower than 17 atm?

    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      16(-4)

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ouch, you got many left to play?
        Don't even wanna see the size of the red arrow

      2. djman102
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        James (of course) and Watkins in this game.
        Henry (if fit), Ronaldo(c), and Dalot tomorrow.

    2. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That is particularly painful, impacted badly by fpl website failure?

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No actually, had 10 players playing and thought I'd roll transfer thinking this gw wouldn't be high scoring. Had Foden (C) and just nothings gone my way at all. James OG just the nail in the coffin

      2. djman102
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Same here. I did Salah/Dennis --> Bowen/Ronaldo to put out 10 (9 now Jesus didn't show). Working toward a possible BB in GW22 and saving FH for Blanks/Doubles down the road.

  9. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I Love Cash

  10. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    James was playing really poorly before that as wel

  11. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Penalty, Alonso time 😎

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oops forgot about Jorginho

    2. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso time?

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso AA

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Penalty points?

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    About time Mendy gets dropped for Kepa anyway...

    1. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Surely you're joking... Don't even pretend that's his fault.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It's not his fault but the ball went straight between his fingers again.

        He made another mishap earlier not coming out for a ball which Watkins was running onto & Silva was pissed at him.

        Few mistakes creeping in.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Over his fingers, not between them. I would like to see anyone criticizing that test their reactions. The ball he didn't come for I agree. There have been a few moments recently but that doesn't mean you consider dropping the best keeper of the year. God look how many actual errors leading to goals De Gea conceded without being dropped for Henderson who was at the time in great form.

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think Chelsea defenders will be nearly as good a pick when Mendy goes to AFCON?

    3. JariL
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, it is about time. Mendy going to AFCON.

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Prob getting Ramsdale, but seeing what De Gea can do before I have to release Salah and Mendy. Prob best to let Mendy off before Pool!

    4. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely not, are you serious? He has been absolutely incredible this calendar year, makes a few contentious errors amidst some outstanding performances and you want KEPA back?

      Jesus.

  13. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea pen

  14. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    That's why he's the 3rd best player in the world!!!

  15. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    LOL Martinez YC for ploughing the penalty spot

  16. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez yc

  17. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Cash is reckless

  18. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea goal

  19. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez yc

  20. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Don’t think CHO got a touch so could be Alonso assist?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      CHO was fouled...

    2. Stamford B
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks that way.

    3. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kane claimed it - sorry.

    4. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dude Cho won it 😆 do u not know the rules 😛

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I’m drunk

    5. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What?? So who was the foul on? Alonso? lol!

  21. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    All I needed was a chelsea cleanie to gain a huge lead on my rival, and obviously I’ve got James haha

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      4 points a huge lead?

      1. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Every week, I’ve had double chelsea defence & everyone else hasn’t.. had so many changes to go up the ranks & chelsea keep conceding, need to shift!

  22. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lucky Chelsea with their cheap penalties. Eff off. Crap team.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Blatant penalty mind

    2. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheap?

  23. Feloh
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Flop of the week James
    Star of the week Son
    Killer of the week Saka.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saka Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?

      1. Kellz86
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ba ba ba bij ba ba ba ba bah

    2. Kellz86
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Legend of the week: ESR

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        With 6 points, how'd you figure that out? o.o

        1. Kellz86
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Because he’s scored off the bench playing last 3 matches 24min, 12min and 8min.

          Legend

  24. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone have the link to AndyFPLs team? Thank you

    1. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Google it

      1. brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Genius thank you

    2. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. Not intresting

      1. Yozzer
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        * interesting

    3. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think his ID is 2, he loves the refresh race at new season time

    4. HashAttack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I thought it was 2

  25. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Jorginho with 4 penalties in his last 5pl games. Ridiculous

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I guess we all expected it with VAR tbf

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No VAR needed. Was a blatant penalty but just crazy really. I have a ML rival who plays him every week and it’s very annoying 😆

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Haha I nearly bought him this week

    2. Feloh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Might get him for James in a -4 hit.

    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Shock!

  26. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you don’t guess a way then you’ll save most of Jorginho’s penalties right?

    Seeing as he doesn’t smash them no point in guessing a way anyway

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think he studies keepers as much as keepers study his penalties.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No because Jorginho watches which way the keeper is going via his little hop. Literally did it vs. Martinez just now.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        That’s the point that he is making. If the keeper doesn’t go any way until he kicks it.

      2. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes but if you just stand still and dive after he shoots…

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I.e I think that’s what Pickford did in the Euro final

    3. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's capable of side netting it if the keeper doesn't move. He looks at the feet and weight transfer.

  27. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which games are in danger of being called off next gw? I suppose all are, but some more than other?

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wait and see. Not worth the thinking beforehand if if it's on or off. 9/10 for now.

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No point playing guessing games.

    3. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      They mentioned Leeds Villa already

  28. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you had to captain one of Kane/son next week,who would you captain?
    Kane is really getting into his groove now I feel and it’s a matter of time before he explodes

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son.

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Go with your gut. Sounds like it's saying Kane

  29. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Easy with hindsight and a half to go but it was a mistake going Mount on free hit to avoid triple up on any team (arsenal or city).

  30. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    James has got to go. Not got any of his hauls, so no sentimentality here

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Before Brighton?

    2. Feloh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Please sell so that he can start scoring.