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Who are the best Aston Villa players to own in FPL for Gameweek 24 and beyond?

Aston Villa have made a promising start under Steven Gerrard, despite a tough opening set of fixtures which has seen them take on all of the current top four: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

During his 10 Premier League matches in charge, Villa have scored 14 and conceded just nine non-penalty goals, and given that they now sit top of our Season Ticker for ease of fixture from Gameweeks 24 to 28, it’s easy to see why many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are now considering their assets.

With Villa Park encounters against Leeds United, Watford and Southampton, plus away trips to Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, they certainly have one of the kinder schedules on offer, but who are the best players to own in FPL for this run?

In this, our latest Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members article, we’ll take a closer look.

THE OUTLOOK

Can Coutinho transform Aston Villa attack and offer FPL points potential? 6

Across Aston Villa’s 10 Premier League matches under Steven Gerrard, they have a record of five wins, a draw and four defeats, taking 16 points, which is a solid enough return given the opposition faced.

Defensively, they have kept clean sheets against Brighton, Norwich City and Everton, conceding 12 goals, though it is worth noting three of them were penalties.

According to Opta, Villa’s expected goals conceded (xGC) tally is 12.37, whilst their 77.3 minutes per xGC is only bettered by Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Arsenal.

Given that they have had one of the tougher schedules, whilst also getting to grips with a new tactical system, those numbers feel extremely encouraging.

ASTON VILLA’S DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UNDER GERRARD:
METRICTOTAL
Games played10
Goals conceded12
Clean sheets3
xGC12.37
Non-pen xGC10.01
Mins/xGC77.3

Going forward, it is a little more underwhelming, having scored 14 goals from just 9.99 xG, though with easier fixtures and new recruits, you’d expect that to improve in the coming weeks.

ASTON VILLA’S ATTACKING STATISTICS UNDER GERRARD:
METRICTOTAL
Games played10
Goals scored14
xG9.99
Non-pen xG9.99
Mins/xG95.7

THE TACTICS

FURTHER READING

224 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Guys .7 short of Sargent to Edouard who I’d prefer, any way to juggle him in or just stick with this? 0.3 itb this is a wc

    Sa
    Robbo Trent Cancelo Laporte Nouri
    Salah KDB Bowen Raphinha Ramsay
    Sargent Broja Watkins

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Laporte to Tierney?? Frees up 0.7 I think

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd just keep Sargent

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Downgrade Robbo to Digne.

  2. Downsides to Robertson/'Big at the Back'
    Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why I don't like Robertson and big at the back setups.

    I've been quite vocal about my dislike of heavy defenses like: TAA, Robertson, Cancelo, Digne, Dalot. Without full reasoning, it doesn't seem to make sense because they are form options and scoring well relative to their price. But every time I try to build a team big at the back like this I find myself curiously stuck.

    First, let's get over the value argument. Robertson is a better option than Watkins and they're similar price so surely I should pick Robbo is the layman's argument. Unfortunately, because of the relative pricing of options, Robertson is a premium asset and Watkins mid priced. So the true comparison is Watkins + 4.5m defender rotation vs Robertson + Idah. Note that I use Idah here because on WC, Broja is actually the most selected forward from recent drafts and the fact is we need 3 of a bad bunch, so Robertson's price takes away from the mid-priced 2nd striker slot rather than Broja's 3rd forward slot.

    Second, we need to consider double gameweek options. We are going to have lots of DGWs coming up and I'd like to plug my team's bench with players that have lots of good games in hand if I'm wildcarding now. In fact, that should be the basis for a strong wildcard - being able to have good DGW options prepared early so you don't have to waste transfers on them.

    We have a plethora of good affordable options for DGW fillers in defense. The likes of Dalot, Davies, Webster, White, even Amartey. Up front, anything below Edouard is a pool of unattractive options (again, excluding Broja who is the ideal 3rd forward) such as Idah, King, Dennis, who is even left? They don't adequately provide DGW bench cover for when you need them.

    You could argue that you just go without a forward then - 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. That's good and well but it means that you end up leaving value on the table in terms of rotation around the DGWs. Assuming you have a really packed midfield (which I think is pretty much guaranteed from all WC teams), the defense and the forwards are where your differentials often are.

    TAA and Cancelo play every week and are in everyone's team so that leaves effectively let's say 3 positions that make a difference. You could choose to go with Robertson, Digne, Edouard let's say in a 4-5-1. You also have a bench of Broja, Idah. In your average gameweek, it'll probably perform better than the Watkins variant assuming Robbo keep delivering premium scores.

    The problem is, these are not average weeks to end the season. We have doubles, lots of them. A rotation of Digne, Watkins, Edouard allows you a more DGW powerful bench with the likes of Webster, Davies, Dalot type players who you can bring in when the occasion suits and bench one of your two forwards. Once we have the fixtures, we can even plan a 4.5m rotation that doubles every week so the Edouard slot then gets replaced on occasion by a 4th defender with a double. The Robbo team doesn't ever want to bench Robbo so you can't utilize this rotation and your striker spot is locked on Edouard too because your bench is limited to Idah/Broja and you rarely want to play them. I'd say you could lose up to 3 fixtures by having a locked rotation like this.

    And then there's the final flexibility argument. If anything were to happen to your lone forward, you don't have a reliable fallback upfront and because you must field at least 1 forward it will likely necessitate a transfer.

    It's why I prefer a team that is built:
    TAA, Cancelo, Digne, Webster, White
    Watkins, Edouard, Broja

    Over a team that is:
    TAA, Robertson, Cancelo, Digne, Ait Nouri
    Edouard, Broja, Idah

    The price points offer options should things go pear shaped. If Edouard gets injured you can still field a strong team. And if ideal, you can rotate the cheap DGW defenders like Webster and White in and out around each of their doubles. Watkins is also much more price friendly than Robertson. You have options to hop on and off the likes of DCL, Antonio, Bamford, Jimenez. They might not look like great options now but at least it's there. Whereas if you want Robbo out, you'll end up just restructuring to go back to the Watkins forward setup anyway.

    The only way I'd recommend going Robertson is if you are a fairly hit happy manager that thinks the next 3 weeks can reap enough points to offset the additional restructuring that you'll probably have to do.I know a few managers that can and are great at playing this way, but it's a very small number and they open themselves to high variance. If Robbo tears it up and gets 3 double digit returns then he'll have been worth it. But I'm just not that confident. The other downside to Robbo specifically is he takes Jota away from midfield. I know Jota hasn't returned too well lately, but his underlying stats are superb and he's at a very friendly price. Plus most of us that have him have a lot of team value saved up in him. Selling him and needing to buy back later is quite costly not to mention if you're buying him back, you'll likely be quite behind from the high EO points delivered by Jota.

    Sorry not sorry for the long post!

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      so basically all that to say dont get robbo. cheers

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        It wouldn't turn green if that was all it said.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah basically haha.

        1. tibollom
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          haha well thanks mate, im not gonna go for robbo!

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      As a Robbo owner, I would also like to discourage anybody from getting him

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        As Watkins owner I would also like to encourage everybody to get him.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Haha

    3. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm all for the structural analysis so kudos for that.

      What seems to be missing is an equivalent analysis of the midfield, which implies you are making assumptions about what a good midfield looks like. It is possible to have better forwards in your Robertson team by economising in midfield (or indeed by economising on your 4th defender).

      Ramsey is a 6m midfielder for 4.6m. Gray is a 6m midfielder for 5.5m. Raphinha is a 7.5m midfielder for 6.6m. Saka is a similar type of case. Coutinho is under-priced at 7m and you can continue with Bowen, Maddison, Trossard. There's a long list. I'm guessing you are assuming a heavy spend in midfield but that way you exclude some fantastic value too.

      Personally I think a premium forward (Kane/Ronaldo/Lukaku) is best from a purely structural perspective (if only there were one that could be relied on). But even if you stay in the mid-range for forwards you can have a solid team with Robertson provided you restrict yourself to two premium midfielders.

      Bottom line: I'd prefer to have Robertson than Jota and think he will deliver better value. The price difference is big enough to more than compensate for the fact that an alternative midfielder to Jota costs more than an alternative defender to Robertson. There is great value in midfield and I'd prefer to use it.

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        PS: Yes, I do already have Robbo in my team and I made exactly the calculation you mentioned - likely points GW23-26 - before taking a hit to get him. Jota ➡ Salah will be the resolution but whether that is GW24 or GW26 remains an open question for me.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This is a fair argument.

        I assumed heavy in midfield just because it makes the calculations simpler so I can illustrate my point more clearly. If we start to factor in budget mids like Martinelli, Gray, Ramsey it gets complicated.

        But yes, you could in theory use Ramsey as a 4.5m defender equivalent and Robbo would essentially be your Jota slot. I'm not opposed to that. But the price point argument still holds true in that if Ramsey loses his spot or gets injured, you don't have many choices compared to 4.5m defenders to get DGW fillers.

        On a WC, making sure I'm prepared for DGWs is one of the more important priorities for me. You don't get enough transfers to move between picks so the best way is to have them ready on your bench and the vast majority of affordable, benchable players with lots of DGWs are in defense.

    4. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Really good read. The theory checks out although I perhaps struggle to find the balance between this 'deeper' strategy vs. Player X vs. Player Y. For the latter, I prefer Robbo to Jota.

      Below is my Team, although I think the structure will change after Villa's run of fixtures/doubles. My TV,105.1, is pretty good (I think) but not out of this world. The midfield (other than Jota) isn't mentioned above, nor is TV - so is it not viable to go for a very strong defence (thus bench) and a similar midfield setup? The points could be misinterpreted perhaps

      Sa
      TAA, Robertson, Cancelo, Laporte, Digne
      KDB, Salah, Raphinha, Bowen
      Watkins

      (Foster, Ramsey, Dennis, Broja)

      I may have missed some of the points (only quick read while at work). My squad doesn't 'look right' but in isolation I just don't fancy the premium strikers but really like the premium defenders. Wonder if others are in this position also.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        The team is good on paper. But it has DGW weaknesses which is what ultimately caused me to turn away from big at the back formations on WC.

        You lack the flexibility with such an expensive defense to jump on players like Son, Maddison etc because of your structure plus you don't tap into the wealth of good 4.5m defenders with lots of doubles.

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers. Fair. I'd need multiple transfers of course, although I loosely plan to lose Watkins & Digne after their fixtures/DGW(s) and that should facilitate Son. Regardless of DGWs, there's a lot of players I can't see leaving my Team barring injury (TAA, Cancelo, Laporte, KDB, Salah, Bowen and Robertson at this rate) so intentionally I don't have much flexibility anyway. Perhaps been burnt too many times getting over-hyped by DGWs 🙂

        2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Are dgws really all that though? Two weeks running in the mini league I would like to win I have had the fewest starters in the top 20 and yet the most points… is it luck or is it a trend?
          I always use the principle now that dgws are more like a 1.6x multiplier due to rotation (and triples if they happen are more like 2x). They are nice, and I’ll factor them in, but I’m not ripping up my team for them until they come thick and fast in March/April

          1. Catastrophe
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            This is also where my head is at (don't forget the risk of doubles that turn into singles due to COVID postponements although perhaps those are mostly behind us now).

          2. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            1.6x multiplier is still better than 1.0x. Being on WC means you have freedom to make changes to your bench to prepare optimally for it and I don't think it's an opportunity you should waste.

            I've had Livramento stuck at the bottom of my bench for weeks and weeks with no free transfer to fix him. So getting good DGW players for those last few bench slots is just good planning.

    5. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The idea of using my WC this week became enticing a few days ago but I only gave a bit of time to actually working on drafts yesterday and honestly I think I agree. I really want Robertson but I think it will be a crutch. If I go without, I can keep TAA, Cancelo, Tierney and Cash and move Alonso to Laporte, I can have Salah, 3 good mid-range mids and can afford to punt on Mahrez for Foden, and then Kane (who I actually want) while keeping Broja (who I think is worth being regarded as far more than a 3rd striker personally) and bringing in Idah for King. That will still leave me with a little bit itb, while bringing in Robertson means no Mahrez (I'd keep Foden, which is fine but I'd like a bigger punt for short term until City resume CL games) and nothing itb.

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

      What about Laporte?

      Trent cancelo digne Laporte 4.5

      That allows the salah. Jota and son in mid with Antonio, eduard and broja up top

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Don't love Laporte. SGWs only and UCL rotation. But the price is at least better than Robertson so for short term could be good.

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

          That’s fair, I think most weeks I’d sooner have a city defender than say a burnley with a double but I see your reasoning, might hold for next few then move on

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            I played my wildcard this week and went big at the back. I didn't actually get Robbo, but my reasoning still stands. There's just no value up top, so after choosing a Power Midfield with Salah and KDB, and a cheap front line, there's plenty cash left over for the defence. I don't want more premiums in Ronaldo, Kane, Lukaku, Son etc, and with forwards mis-firing like they are, I'll likely play 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 most weeks.

    7. Diamondgeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The other factor to consider is potential rotating defenders (old fashioned I know).
      Normally rotating pairs are two budget options from poor teams and it never works. This year we have good bugdet options in good teams. For example I have White and Davies covering both halves of north London. 9M cost to have a player for a good team and every gameweek one is at home. Robertson + fodder is 11-11.5M. I have an additional 2.5M I can use to turn a Broja to a Watkins. I think rotating Arsenal/Spurs defenders match Roberston for points over the long run. Plus there is the flexibility to take advantage of doubles for these players.

    8. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Camzy I did a bit of a VORP (Value over replacement player) analysis and this is what I came up with. It's long so I didn't want to mess up your HT, but it maybe suggests that having more rather than fewer premium defenders might be a better use of budget:

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2022/01/26/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-gameweek-24-wildcard-in-fpl/?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_24662473

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

      Does TAA's 100% EO become a factor? As in if you think Liverpool defence is good and they will keep clean sheets vs. likes of Burnley and Norwich in GW25/26, then you get basically zero rank benefit from this happening if you only have TAA and don't captain him?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        No. EO is overrated. Value matters more. If Ben White gets you 6 points and Robbo gets you 6 points it doesn't really matter that you benefited from the Liverpool clean sheet.

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

          EO fear leads to Dennis captain choices.

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

      Camzy, do you just want a job at FFS?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I definitely don't. FPL is my hobby and I'd like to keep it that way 😛

  3. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Worth a WC? Still have 1FT and £4.5m itb

    DDG, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, cash, Reguilon, cucurella
    KDB, Jota, Bowen, Raphinha, Martinelli
    Watkins, Edouard, King

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      i wouldnt WC this team

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No way

    3. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Def not

    4. runupstream
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Save the wildcard!

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      no

    6. sulldaddy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why WC...who are you considering dumping?
      Add up those moves and see what it would cost.
      But id hold most of your roster TBH

  4. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Can I roll my FT here?

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo Digne
    KDB Bruno Jota Raphinna Bowen
    Watkins Dennis
    Foster Broja AitNouri Lowton

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Save

  5. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    As a FF player and a Villa fan I just don't get why so many folk are going with Watkins. I don't care what the stats say (and I get the DGW appeal) but Watkins is not a natural goal scorer and this is evident from the many games that I have seen him play. Nobody can deny his work effort, but its evident in recent games that his head has dropped...ever since Deano left actually (which is likely more than a coincidence). So, if you are bringing him in as an enabler for other strikers at the same price point (as Camzy eludes to above) then fine, but I would just say don't expect too much.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Fixtures, minutes, team. I know you don't rate him as a finisher but he has shown signs he can get goals. A striker's form is fickle but all it takes is one sometimes.

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      "I just don't get why so many folk are going with Watkins. I don't care what the stats say"

      Think here lies the problem

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        But he's not returning despite the stats. It's like King, the stats legend who does nothing FPL wise

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          He doesn't have a history of being much of a sharp-shooter either, from what i can tell. Willing runner, does a lot for the team, but isn't gonna bag lots of goals consistently.

          1. im1974
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            He’s similar to Maddison. Goes on streaks and then it’s 2 pts for 10 weeks in row. With such a dearth of forwards, if budget allows, just about worth the punt for the hope the streak is imminent.....

        2. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I think you need to take into account the defensive strength of opposition faced, though. Four attacking returns in nine against this lot isn't bad.

          Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Brighton, Man Utd, Palace, Leicester, Everton, Norwich.

          He's also been playing off Ings for periods, which doesn't work. If he's the focal point of the attack, which he has been the last two, he'll improve.

          14 PL goals last season suggests he can do it.

          1. CRAZY TRAIN
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's bad as a player by any means. I like him, and I think he's more effective for us when he isn't playing off Ings. All too often he doesn't take the chances though - last week against Everton for example he was through on goal from a delightful through ball but his touch let him down, giving Pickford the chance to block him (difficult chance granted, but this is the PL!). United game at OT, he's set himself up for a glorious chance (one on one with DDG) but his shot ricochet's off the bar. Those 2 examples sum him up really, excellent off the ball work, good pace and excellent vision, but consistently lets himself down with the final touch.

  6. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Are a lot of people wildcarding at the minute? If so, why? Have i missed something?

    1. twoeye
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Gives you the opportunity to transfer loads of players during the very boring winter break!

    2. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Only that its an IB and many peoples teams (including my own) are in need of a major overhaul

    3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not a fan of wc even if a team needs surgery, will be a lot of deals done in final weeks and teams will change. E.g everyone will pile into Ramsay/Coutinho, if Bentancur/Bissouma is signed then it could be a waste. Ramsay even more so as you would waste a mid slot on a 4.5 you couldn’t upgrade (just an example)

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

        But the transfer deadline is before the GW deadline?

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          True, but we won't know if new signings affect starting line ups as there'll be no games to find out.

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      My team had reached the point of no return after bringing in dud DGW options.

  7. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ddg (foster?
    Cancelo trent cash reguilon livra
    Jota son bowen maddison foden
    King watkins rinaldo

    2ft

    Ronaldo and maddison to broja salah

    Would you keep jota?

    1. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I am, especially with Liverpool’s potential DGW in GW26

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      good move but keep in mind Broja could be on his way to Chelsea

      1. sulldaddy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Really on Broja? I hadnt read that yet.
        Source?
        And ugh if he does move

  8. Ron_Swanson
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather have (A) Robertson & Edouard or (B) Laporte & Watkins?

    1. runupstream
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      (A) sound a bit better to me, but (B) is no tragedy either.

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Robertson for sure….I recall an earlier post saying Robertson is the smartest pick in the GME.

  9. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    am I right to not WC this team and only make 1-2 transfers? got 1 FT and 2.1 ITB to get salah back in somehow..

    DDG Bach
    Taa Cancelo Cash Cucurella Livra
    Jota ESR Foden Bowen Bruno
    Antonio Dennis DCL

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You are right

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

    Bruno Guimaraes to Newcastle. What a signing.

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Was just about to write the same, could be a very good signing for both sides of the pitch.

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Could be vital to if Newcastle stay up. Won't be a good FPL option though.

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      never heard of him what position does he play?

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        MC

        1. NorCal Villan
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Bruno Sammartino> Bruno Guimaraes

  11. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Current midfield:
    Bruno Bowen Raph Jota Bsilva

    Would you

    A GW 24 Bruno > Salah
    GW 25 Bsilva > Foden

    B GW 24 Jota & Bsilva > Salah & Gallagher (-4)

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B means I would have Bruno for potential DGW*

  12. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    The article is making a case for Villa defenders after Gerrard came in, using stats. What this forget is (the pens is one clue here) that Villa defence consists of Cash, Mings and Digne. Thats three defenders that are rash (cash), clumsy (Mings) and hothead/adventourous (Digne).
    So when i watch villa they look fairly decent organize wise, but there is the feeling and (evidence) that those three makes costly mistakes, Cash conceded a stupid pen, Mings gives away the ball several times with sloppy passes, and Digne was for example veey lucky to escape vs Everton when he lost the ball and Doucoure wasted the chance with a bad pass. Digne also at fault for Bruno second goal with a too risky pass from left back which prompted Luiz to try and save it but he couldnt.
    Decent offensive threath and oprice is ok so understand why, but my point is more that an article should also carry some sort of counter, because the eye test and interpretation of it is as important as the stats.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cash is rash, Mings is always on the strings, and Digne is a bit of a latrine

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thats how i should have worded it-)

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cash and Mings have their faults, for sure, I watch them week-in, week-out, but they were also part of a defence which kept 15 clean sheets last season, more than any other side bar Man City and Chelsea.

      At the end of the day, Digne is 5.1m, attack-minded, great fixtures, playing for a team who are improving defensively with a new DM on the way (hopefully).

      Personally think he's an excellent option.

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        My view was more directee towards the lack of eye test argument, as stats is one thing but when we talk about stats in defence you have to also account for who plays in that defence. There is absolutely a case for bringing in Villa defenders, with that fixture run. Just note that they will concede silly goals. I might go Mings if i go. When Gerrard discover Digne is not that good, or does too much stupid things that Targett guy or even Young will get games on that left side.

  13. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    WC template....

    Foster De Gea
    Nouri Digne TAA Cancelo Lowton
    Salah KDB Maddison Raph Ramsey
    Watkins Antonio Broja

    1. Maddy could be bowen but he has lots of games in hand
    2. KDB stays as Bruno if united double
    3. KDB goes to foden and antonio goes to kane

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

      Read somewhere Leicester not likely to double before gw30. So have Bowen til then?

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        yep exactly if that is the case for sure

  14. Jeppe1234
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on WC?

    DDG/Sanchez
    Taa/Robbo/Cancelo/Digne/Ait Nouri
    Salah/KDB/Foden/Bowen/Ramsey
    Watkins/Broja/Idah

    0.5ITB

    1. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      That's exactly what I would want other than idah but I assume you can't afford edouard or sargent

      1. Jeppe1234
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I could get Sargent, cant afford Edouard

  15. Wheyyyy
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    The team currently in first place in the Gameweek 3 league (team created in GW3) has a rank of 218k and has had 20 consecutive green arrows in a row, without a red all season!

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/7537864/history

    The first team from GW2 sits at 12k too..

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/7020494/history

  16. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    So Bruno is back to be a premium choice now?

    1. HTL
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      There are difficult decisions to make with regards how to get Salah back in.

  17. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison Martinelli to Salah Ramsey -4?

    The only reasonable way to get Salah without losing Antonio, Ronaldo, Jota or taking -8.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      maddi has 4 fixtures to be allocated
      he is going nowhere for me

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thought the chance of those in the next couple of gws was slim to none

  18. Tic Tacs
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Kane a viable captain option vs Southampton, or is it worth bringing in a City mid to cap? I only have 1FT this week and think it may be worth holding to have 2FTs before GW25...

    current squad:
    Sa
    TAA, Tierney, Cancelo, Reguilon
    Bowen, Jota, Raphinha
    Kane, DCL, Dennis

    Pickford, Ramsey, Johnson, MacAllister
    6.1ITB

    1. sulldaddy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Im pondering this also.
      Spurs arent really in form and Southampton just frustrated Man City, but were also lucky to not have given up 2 other goals of post.
      Kane costs a lot though...
      Im spinning myself, interested on others thoughts.

      1. Tic Tacs
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        It's a tough one but I already have Kane so would be easy enough to just wait and see whilst giving him the armband instead of transferring in a City mid. Both Southampton and Brentford concede goals away from home, City score more than Spurs but Kane should be involved and should have scored more recently based on his overall form. KDB would be the safe pick to get in on the City midfield but not sure I can afford him in my structure, which would leave Mahrez... some big scores before AFCON but always a risk.

    2. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Kane has 12 more points than Wood. Whilst Kane has been doing well, I can't put that behind my thoughts...

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I meant 16! -,-"

  19. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Current wc team - thoughts?

    Sa foster
    Robbo Taa cancelo Digne ait
    Salah kdb jwp Gallagher Bowen
    Antonio ed Broja

    1. AARON-1
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Are you keen to avoid ALL Manchester United players ahead of their likely double in 25?
      I know United are stuttering a bit but their two games will be at home.

  20. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Newcastle making moves this transfer window. Dan Burn maybe on the way now.

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

      Wouldn’t call Burn & Wood making waves more desperation!

  21. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hows this for a WC 2nd draft:

    Sa, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, Digne, Dalot, White
    Salah, KDB, Foden, Bowen, Ramsey
    Watkins, Borja, Edouard

    Cheers