Dugout Discussion
26 December 2021 830 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just got back from the Palace/Spurs gamne.

    Was Son's goal offside, looked off from where I was, but was at the wrong end of the ground?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You know we have VAR these days?

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

      I personally thought it was in real time. However on replay the defenders outstretched leg (and thick VAR lines) is likely what kept Son marginally onside.

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Hazz

    3. beric
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Super close. I thought it would be ruled out. Glad it wasn't

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Behind the ball not the players

      1. beric
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ah was it? I was watching without the sound as the majority of the room watched strictly come dancing

    5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looked off to me straight away. Looked off on VAR too.

      We got lucky

  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea are terrible..

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

      Dunno what's happened to us

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

        Alonso....

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

          He's definitely not the worst performer today.

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

        Fatigue plus nothing great in attack. Tuchel working them very hard.

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

    Alonso drive forwards so dangerous!

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

    Not using FH this week is my massive fail, lost Spurs CS, Mahrez haul, as well as Son goal.

    Currently on 31 with James, Alonso playing - CS already gone, and only Duffy, Ronaldo (c) to go.

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ron might save your GW

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here bud… I’d have had Laca, Son, Saka, no R. James etc…

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

      on 54 and FH banked.

    4. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’m up 27 points as it stands if it stays that way it was worth it.

      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Many FHs on 70 odd with Ronaldo Cpt , are you really sure about that

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          FH average currently 46.41 points
          Don't just look on the top scores

          1. Debauchy
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Happy to just look at my score but get the point

            1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Well played FH and nice rank, but you are not "many".
              Just say you scored 70+
              🙂

    5. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don't beat yourself up, you can only assess it once the season is over and you've played your FH.

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My FH draft had Tierney, Odegard, KDB and Mahrez... but still looking forward to using my 2 FH's later on.

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

      Hypothetical, hindsight points only count half value

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

      Sure make up the deficit in a FH DGW. Why look back?

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

      Not using FH this week has been a massive success for me this week.

  5. DARE
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    When the hell was Aston Villa's game against Leeds called off? How did I miss that. :-O

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

      Just after deadline today.

      1. DARE
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ahaa.....that explains it. 🙁

        Too bad I removed Antonio from my team then, and kept Watkins and Raphinha. *sigh*

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

    Remember Christian Pulisic?

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think so, he looked like cross between Oscar & CR7.

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

        With awful Portugese.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Need to get Lukaku on.

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

        The Everton Lukaku.

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

          The Hershey Kid. Absolute quality but so injury-prone maybe he is made of chocolate.

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

      The LeBron of soccer?

  7. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worked it out that I would have about 50 more points if I’d gone with my FH team. Oh well.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm up about 14 . Wasn't worth it.

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

      Did you post it on here?

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yup

    3. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Around 40 up with Ronaldo Cpt so well chuffed

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you can't afford Son: Bowen or Moura?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lucas

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

    Jorginho been poor.
    CHO been poor.
    James middling.
    Zero presence in the box.

    Would like to eventually see Lukaku & Kovacic on.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso terrible. James rubbish. Pully invisible.

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

        I don't think Alonso has been that bad today. His ball created the penalty.

        Agree about the other two.

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My rank went up 1k when Chelsea conceded! That seems crazy!

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

      Plenty on double and triple Chelsea defence.

      1. HonestBlatter
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        James OG only explaining factor there

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Aye. Just seen. My app said Targett goal

  11. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Think i will keep and bench Watkins next week, looks sharp

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same

    3. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

  12. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Dalot or Lampty are out?

    Got bench points

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You always have a chance with the little glass lamp.

  13. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Playing my first WC. Rate my squad if you please...

    DDG - Bachman
    TAA - Cancelo - Tierney - Dier - Coady
    KDB - Sterling - Son - Saka - Odegard
    Antonio - King - Broja

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of money invested in Peps roulette, personally wouldn't do it.

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that's fair but KDB got hauled off after 70 today and my bench should be strong enough to cope. Also, Sterling often comes on and scores with a few mins left

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      nice

  14. KingOfLuck
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you have two FT, and a FH. You make a transfer and then activate your FH-chip. Will the first transfer still be valid after that GW or will it “become” part of the FH?

    And if you have two FT, do a FH, will you have one or two FT the following week?

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

      FH cancels all transfers. You'll have your GW 19 team back for GW 21 and only one transfer.

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

        Thanks a million!

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

      Not sure that's right, FH overides 1 transfer, he'll get the them before FH with his 2 ft's in place surely

  15. Tinmen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Laca played the 90. What’s the chances he starts in less than 2 days 12.30pm kick off ?

    1. beric
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same worry for odegaard

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Eddie could get a start & ESR almost certainly but Arteta won’t want to change it too much

  16. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one to ship out first: Bernardo or ESR?

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

      Why ship ESR?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Got Martinelli, the cheaper option. Need to move to WHU & TOT players.

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

      Bilva

      I expect esr to start next game. Dunno if bilva will

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Actually, I agree

  17. Bishopool
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    pretty salty to have both BSilva and Foden and goalfest at the same time

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here, Foden could start next.

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

        Same old story though ain't it

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      +Jesus

  18. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will moura start next game

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

      Hold on, let me just call Conte.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Conte praised him quite a bit, didn't he?

  19. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Excuse me? Where's the penalty nickname for Jorginho? Can't remember the last time I checked rhe score and he didn't score a penalty. Penandes amd Penaldo they say? Peninho 100%

    1. Ibralicious
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Have heard Peninho before. Besides he's a good 2-3 tiers below Penandes and Penaldo so that's probably why no one's bothered coming up with one

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

      Jorginho contributes outside of pens...

      1. Saka White Rice
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sure he does yeah..he isn't the top 3 player for Italy nor Chelsea

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

          FPL stats doesn't reflect how good he is. He wouldn't be playing for Chelsea and Italy winning European Championships for both if he was just a penalty taker.

          1. Saka White Rice
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Winning is a team effort and he wasn't a big part of it. Look at Arbeloas records and Girouds. Won everything and they are average at best

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

              Divert. That's it. Italy and Chelsea's creative mid. Pure overrated! You haven't a clue.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Assists not a contribution?

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

      Bernardo to Mahrez? Worried about Pep roulette.
      Mount to Bowen?

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

        Not sure I'd do either of those

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      James has two modes: awful or great.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Guess which mode he's on since I bought him?

    5. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      James to RCB? :rolleyes:

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

        🙄 *

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

      Currently, James in going up in price tonight...

    7. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Zero points for James, then (if he's lucky...)

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

        3 zeros in 4 games

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

      Lukaku on chalo off

      Same formation, cho to rwb and James to rcb?

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

      Salty I was conservative with a - 4.

      Would have made 10 points net on my - 12 and had the players I wanted.

    10. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Laca & Bilva > Son & Pukki -4

      Yay or nay?

    11. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      6 red arrows in a row, 29k to 129k, had some horrid luck aswell. When's it gonna end Robbie 😆

    12. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ron(c) to bail me out tomorrow

      1. Ibralicious
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Every person and their dog has him on FH too so not sure if it's much of a bailout

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Surprisingly many went Son(c) in my MLs

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

            Yeah it's about 50/50 Ron and Son in my leagues, Sonners currently winning

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

              That'd be because Ronaldo ain't played

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

      Christensen replaces Silva before 60.

      It's come full circle...

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He’ll get one of his rare goals as I sold him today