FPL
6 August 2025 196 comments
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Our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team previews for the 2025/26 season continue with Aston Villa.

In these guides, we will discuss the best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign. We’ll also attempt to predict the line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, detail the top players for defensive contributions (DC) and more.


GET ALL THE KEY FPL DATA TODAY!

defensive contributions

The data and graphics in this article come from either our Members Area or Statsbomb, with whom we are again partnering in 2025/26.

Fantasy managers can get access to the wealth of Statsbomb numbers, as well as the usual Opta stats, new defensive contribution (DC) points, recalculated points from last season, exclusive articles, transfer planner, tools and app, with a 47% discounted Chief Scout membership today.


ASTON VILLA: REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

FPL notes: Watkins misfires, Sessegnon subbed + Tielemans stars

UCL BLOW – A BLESSING IN DISGUISE? / FORTRESS VILLA PARK

Aston Villa’s failure to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League should, in theory, lead to a fresher first XI.

Of course, midweek matches in the UEFA Europa League still have to be factored in, but Unai Emery will have an opportunity to implement more rotation in this tournament, particularly during the League phase, which runs from September 24 to January 29.

Six of the eight matches that follow a European fixture will be played at home, too, where Villa are unbeaten in 18 Premier League games:

Above: Aston Villa’s Premier League home and away results in 2024/25, via StatsBomb

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS

Additionally, Emery made Villa much harder to beat towards the end of last season, recording six clean sheets in their final 10 matches. Their expected goals conceded (xGC) visibly dropped, too.

If they can take some of that newfound defensive resolve into the new campaign, it should serve them well.

Above: Aston Villa’s rolling six-match xGC average in 2024/25


ASTON VILLA: REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

Villa v Fulham team news: Robinson starts, Digne benched

SLOW TRANSFER WINDOW

A lack of new faces is a bit of a concern, particularly with Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi no longer around.

The depth in attack looks especially thin, while right-back has been a problem position for quite some time now. Indeed, Villa conceded 127 key passes from that flank last season, compared to just 99 on the left.

PSR issues have at least been eased by the reported sale of the women’s team, but fans will be eager to see some positive transfer activity in the coming weeks.

On a positive note, it seems that Villa are close to finalising a deal for Nice’s versatile attacker, Evann Guessand.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TRANSITIONS / MARTINEZ DIP

196 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    What’s the rush on Wirtz, looking wasteful in pre season and unproven in the prem, waiting till GW4 personally

    1. Fat Frank
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I like what I’ve seen of him so far in pre season, also seeing him as a City attack placeholder (Marmoush/Foden)

    2. Rhysd007
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Yeh I'm going Gakpo atm - will wait on Wirtz

    3. Pariße
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      The coverage syndrome.

    4. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I'm far from convinced about him either. His 23 attacking returns in 31 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen last season was reasonable enough but I'd be surprised if he matched that in his first season in the Premier League. He can be bought/sold at 17/19 for attacking returns on the spread betting markets which basically means the bookies are expecting him to emulate the likes of Semenyo, Elanga, Rogers, MGW, etc from last season. That's good fare but he'll have to transcend that to justify his 8.5m price tag.

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Bottomed sorry

    Best option for gw 1 BB?

    1) PMS
    2) Guiu
    3) KDH

    1. Moon Dog
        4 months, 1 day ago

        It's impossible to answer atm because Guiu and KDH haven't even moved clubs yet.

        Has PMS been playing in the 10 for Spurs? I'd expect Kulu plays there when he's fit no?

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

          Guiu on Wearside now having his medical and climatising to conditions.

          Cheltenham website reported it.

          Guess the stadium of light doesn't have it's January wind chill just yet.

          1. Moon Dog
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Two friendlies on the weekend. Fingers crossed we see Guiu get a start.

            • AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              *Chelsea

              This auto correct has a mind of it's own

              1. Beanfield
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                I think the going's good at both with both stables full of willing runners

      • Rhysd007
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        First RMT of the year:

        Kell / (Dubrav)
        Gab / Aina / Konsa / (AWB) / (Rodon)
        Bruno / Palmer / Salah / Malen / Gakpo
        Bowen / Mateta / (Barnes)

        0.5 ITB, not BBing

        1. FPL Sanky
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Gab hasn't played a single minute in pre season

          1. Rhysd007
            • 13 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Ah yes, I must have missed that. I'll prob avoid ARS and maybe pivot to a third LIV slot. TY

            1. Studs Up
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              what the man said...if he is to believed

              "Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber will all be fit for the start of the Premier League season"

      • FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        How's this team looking?

        Kelleher Petrovic
        Gvardiol AWB VDV Esteve DeCuyper
        Salah Palmer Wirtz Rogers Sarr
        Bowen Thiago JSL

        1. Rhysd007
          • 13 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Seems good. I'm gambling Gakpo>Wirtz cos he may take a few games to get into PL form.

      • Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Found a non-"big 6" league on Reddit and it has piqued my interest given I don't really have many mini leagues to compete in anymore so it's largely just for overall rank (which is sad).

        Would be fun to see what rank you could achieve with it (not very high id imagine, but who cares). But does this narrow the pool too much so that everyone just ends up with the same team? Example below.

        Pickford
        Milenkovic, Tarkowski, Munoz
        Rogers, Eze, Schade, Ndiaye
        Watkins, Bowen, Wood

        1. Pariße
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          I think you can assemble a serious teams with the first in the village principle.

      • matt levett
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Guys im struggling to decide WOOD or SOLANKE ? Simple question. Who would you have ? (Other FWDs Watkins and Guiu)

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Solanke yet to play this pre season, if I'm mistaken

        2. Moon Dog
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Until we see Solanke fit and firing in pre-season it's hard to really go there. Maddison is a blow for them.

            So I'd sit on Wood for now.

          • Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Mateta

            *Taps nose*

            1. matt levett
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Thanks for the reply guys. I just can't decided and now Mother Farke has made it even worse by suggesting a 3rd very viable option 🙂

        3. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Do you agree that the edge is clearly to set up with Haaland, over Salah, if not both this season?

          The question of when to jump off would be interesting.

          If last season played out you could switch around gw5, which would be when most would be piling in to him.

          Haaland is still under 20% and Salah is selected by 57% of teams. Which of course, opposite to differential points, means that Salah's goals will hurt rank hard for non-owners.

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            I don't hate it. I think Salah + Haaland drafts can work especially since I don't like any of the other forwards.

          2. LangerznMash
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Fixture difficulty (sorted for attacking) for GWs 1 to 8...
            4th = Man City
            17th = Liverpool

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

              Yeah, that helps albeit Liverpool and Salah will need to be on top of their game against the likes of Arsenal (and VV) in the early title matches.

              I just think you can gamble against the EO but I realise many want to go with the crowd early on.

              The crowd is also a silent majority, not discussing it on here or X etc.

            2. Laserface
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              city are predicted to score most goals first 6 weeks....

          3. Salarrivederci
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Neither looks very good too.
            Especially if you're on an early chip-strat.

            Palmer (C) GW 1 (close to Salahs expected points)
            FH-captain GW2 (probably Saka or Haaland)
            Bruno (C) GW3 (will most likely match expected points from other premiums)
            WC GW4

            1. Salarrivederci
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              But yes. If I have to pick 1 I'd go Haaland.

              But since Palmer and Bruno make perfectly fine captains in GW1 & 3 I don't really see the point in going for Salah nor Haaland. Spreading the funds on BB1, FH2, WC4

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

                I'm considering BB gw2 with WC gw4 over the international break when the transfer window closes.

                1. Salarrivederci
                  • 9 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  How does your team look for GW1, GW2 and GW3 then? Think setting up a team for GW1 & GW3 (home matches) could be strong.

                  One of my drafts with BB1, FH2, WC4 is:

                  BB 1:
                  Sels - Sanchez
                  RAN - Porro - Milenkovic - AWB - De Cuyper
                  Palmer (C) - Bruno - Wirtz - Gakpo - Ndiaye
                  Watkins - Solanke - Piroe

                  FH2:

                  GW3:
                  Sanchez
                  RAN - Milenkovic - Porro
                  Palmer - Bruno (C) - Wirtz - Gakpo - Ndiaye
                  Watkins - Solanke
                  (Sels, AWB, Piroe, De Cuyper)

                  WC4 (2 FTs in GW5):

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

                    I like my 11 and if my bench was playing in gw1 I was thinking of capitalising on Burnley home to Sunderland.

                    It would rule out a cheap Leeds defender though with them away at Arsenal in gw2.

                    Tbf, I've not thought about it too deep just yet.

          4. Laserface
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            im doing this, im almost happy with my team now and think i can get to a team i like with both of them

            plan will be to come off one of them on a WC between GW3 -6

        4. Mesh
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Is there any starting 4.5 midfielders?

          1. Rhysd007
            • 13 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Ramsey (BUR) is 12.8% Owned. He's probably the most likely you'd think? Seen Potts in the FFScout team tho

            1. Philosopher's Stones
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              If Ramsey is a starter, I'll have my dream team.

        5. D15jones
          • 3 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Thoughts on this current draft. No salah or haaland!!

          Sánchez,
          Gvardiol, VVD, Williams
          Palmer, Saka, bruno, Rogers, eze,
          Watkins, Evanilson

          Dubravka, Munoz, guiu, Esteve

          Thoughts would be much appreciated!

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

            That's pretty much my bench and I have Haaland and Watkins as well as Palmer and Wirtz.

            Can't afford to stretch to Saka or Bruno tho.

            Once they are back firing Saka and Isak save you £2.5m on a Haaland or Salah pairing with another top pick. Which will offer another route.

            Isak needs to be in the conversations, unless he exits to Saudi.

        6. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          If Wissa ends up at Newcastle, would you pick him?

          Or

          At what point would Isak remaining at Newcastle become viable again, gw2 against Liverpool or gw3 against Leeds?

        7. Kodap
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Which combo of players do people prefer here?

          1. Diouf, Rogers, Anderson & Gyokeres

          2. Van de ven, Minteh, Bruno Fernandes & JSL

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

            1 just because Bruno is the main appeal in 2.

        8. Hoof It and Hope
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Is it just me struggling or has the Fantasy Premier League site become quite hard to use?

          There have been a lot of changes and much of the previous functionality has disappeared - especially the search options.

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

            It's about 6 clicks to look up a replacement transfer which is the most used mode at this time of the season.

            Odd that you can't just search for a player, guess they coded it differently to complete the transfer but a general search should be possible.

          2. Moon Dog
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Yep. Pretty much everyone hates it.

              The drop down boxes are really bad - with a pop window appearing on the other side of the screen, and then having to click save changes. Terrible design. Like it was designed by an intern or AI.

              I hope they change it soon, but I can't see it.

            • Mumfie
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              At least it’s keeping me logged in now. It was so annoying when moving between that tab and another and logging me out.

              Agree that the use ability needs tweaking.

          3. Mesh
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Which is the better pick?

            A. Strand Larsen
            B. Welbeck
            C. Beto

            Any other forward upto 6.5?

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

              B probably

            2. Jaws
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Thiago

          4. Letsgo!
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Is having cucu and sanchez too much?
            Will u then change cucu to vvd probably?

          5. Letsgo!
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Jsl or piroe?

            1. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              JSL as Piroe will play another role and not as ST according to Leeds coach

          6. theshazly
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            RMDT please

            Raya ( Dubravka )
            Diouf DeCuyper N.Williams ( Gudmundsson / Esteve )
            Ndiaye Salah Malen Palmer Kudus
            JSL Haaland ( Guiu )

            I find it essential at least to start the season safe with the big 3, then it will be easy to switch to any of the new PL prospects

            any thoughts !?

            1. GunnerStorm
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              I like it but there is news just now on Ndiaye transfer

          7. Ray85
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Any views on Reece James as an alternative to Cucurella? They seem to have good fixtures and he gets attacking returns....when he's fit of course.

            1. Mother Farke
              • 1 Year
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Answered your own question with the doubts over his long-term fitness.

          8. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Not seen many Ramsey's in the RMTs here. Where are those 12.8% people?

          9. marinade
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Hello. What has FFS got against Bogarde? Played more pre-season minutes than any other Villa player yet not even mentioned as a potential starter and not included in potential DC contribution table. It's like he doesn't exist. Villa fans, can you shed any light?

            1. marinade
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Thanks guys! Some helpful insights there.