Dugout Discussion

Villa v Chelsea team news: Alonso, James and Mount start, Lukaku a sub

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 Post a Comment
  1. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Chalobah could be back on here with Silva pulling up

    1. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe not Christensen in

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      How drunk are you? 😆

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        We're playing rugby right? 😆

  2. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I'm currently down about 20 points + Bruno + Dalot from my proposed FH team (https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/12/26/my-free-hit-draft-and-thoughts-on-playing-the-chip-in-gameweek-19/?hc_page=10&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_24540583)

    Is that a small L or a big L?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not too bad. I'm about 40 points down 😆 thought few weeks for me

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Rough**

    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Small L at the moment with the potential for a big one if Bruno and Dalot do well.

      I'm down 13 + Sanchez but I also got to bring in Broja and Martinelli for Dennis and Brownhill so my squad is in better shape. Think I'm about breaking even depending on how well Sanchez does.

  3. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    watkins doing anything?

  4. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Lost my confidence after 6 red arrows that I could pick a decent team even with a FH. Looking at using it later when I get my mojo back.

  5. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Do something Watkins!

  6. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anything Mount. I need anything

  7. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    CHO A
    Lukaku G

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Kaku G

  9. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Who scored

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Rom

  10. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Right time to activate WC1

    Any drafts our there?

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

    Lukaku G
    CHO A

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hudson-Odoi is pissing me off today.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      LOL

  13. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    SCENES when James still gets 3 BAPs

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      U really are drunk

  14. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Useless goal

  15. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Lukaku punt pays off!

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      You didn't lol?

      1. SEXY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Sun

    2. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Do u have all the strikers? 😆

  16. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    100 million well spent!

  17. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    For exact funds -

    Bernardo / Alonso / James -> Son / Reguilon / Laporte for - 8?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe if you had a wc.

  18. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Too much to ask for a D Luiz goal today as he makes a rare foray into my team?

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      incoming

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Be grateful not to get a YC 😀

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

  19. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Super header. Ings woeful.

  20. schlupptheweek
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Can my Pulisic punt do something for once?

  21. andrewchy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Still have four chips, happy with the minor red arrow (down to 70k now) will probably drop to 100k after ManU game

  22. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Who's the biggest burning platform? James or Bilva?

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Bilva for me. James is class just having a bad run of luck, Bilva seems like he’s been affected by KDB’s return

      1. WATERMELONS
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This

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

      Time to start getting rid of your Chelsea defenders so I’d say James

  23. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Any chance CR7 doesn't start tomorrow? Got Tierney on the bench 😛

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I have Saka VC so would be okay. Would rather Ronaldo also go crazy though.

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      There’s still a chance there’s no match at all. Seems unlikely but good luck

  24. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Crazy scores out there.
    38 so far, Sanchez, Dalot, (C)R7 to come...
    That's 46 with a minus 8 that has definitely paid off. Bowen had a return, Laporte had many returns, and expected returns await tomorrow from El Capitane.

  25. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Lukaku wins James ranger...

  26. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bench two out of these:

    A) Alonso (BHA)
    B) Bowen (wat)
    C) Foden (bre)
    D) Gallagher (NOR)
    E) Saka (WOL)
    F) Laca (WOL)
    G) Antonio (wat)

  27. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso range…

    1. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      But James decided to clear it for a goal kick

  28. WATERMELONS
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Currently on 53 on FH with Dalot and Ronaldo(C) to come. Happy with that but about average from what I am seeing.

    My team pre FH had Foden, Bilva, Rudiger, 3x Liverpool and Watkins so could be worse.

    Some thinking to be done after this GW.

    1. Is Moura a viable alternative to Son/Kane in the Spurs attack?

    2. Are Chelsea cooked?

    3. Is Sterling on the radar?

    4. Can Maddison and Nacho be useful assets in FPL terms even if Leicester get spanked in the meantime?

    5. Which Man City sees more game time once Mahrez goes to AFCON?

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Same for me, remember you need to compare what your FH scored against your old team, rather than what anyone else has done (which is 52 plus slot and Ronny as capn vs about 20!)

      1) don’t think will be consistent enough
      2) will keep winning but not by city or pool margins which is what we like in FPL
      3) not for me at that price
      4) Maddison yea for double
      5) not idea, same for all pep questions

  29. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Just took a gander at my FFS H2H Opponent there.
    36 vs 48 but they're all out.
    I've 4 to play. Must be favourite on paper. The 3 in a row promotion dream is still alive!

  30. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Livramento, Duffy, Cancelo, James
    Foden, Bowen, jota, Salah
    Antonio, Lacazette (c)

    Foster, King, TAA, Raphinha

    What a day it's been. Couldn't make transfers because of the site going down and somehow managed to get 43 points from this lot. Thank God for Lacazette captain!