Dugout Discussion

Villa debuts for Watkins, Cash and Martínez as Burke deployed OOP

Aston Villa have handed Premier League debuts to three key new signings for their first match of the 2020/21 season.

Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) slots straight in at the apex of Dean Smith’s front-three, flanked by Jack Grealish (£7.0m) and Trézéguet (£5.5m).

Fresh from defensive improvements during Project Restart, the Villa defence features Matty Cash (£5.0m) at right-back for the first time while Arsenal’s post-lockdown goalkeeper Emi Martínez (£4.5m) is between the sticks.

Interestingly, Villa’s two most-popular Fantasy assets in Ørjan Nyland (£4.0m) and Keinan Davis (£4.5m) both miss out on a place in the starting XI.

Jed Steer (£4.0m) has been turned to as the second-choice goalkeeper, while centre-forward Davis backs up Watkins from the bench, where is joined by Anwar El Ghazi (£6.0m).

The exciting news coming out of the Sheffield United camp is a the position deployment of FPL midfielder Oliver Burke (£4.5m) up-front.

Chris Wilder has handed him a Blades’ debut in the front-two of his 3-5-2 formation alongside David McGoldrick (£5.5m).

Oliver Norwood drops to the bench as the Sheffield United manager goes with a midfield trio of John Fleck (£6.0m), Sander Berge (£5.0m) and John Lundstram (£5.5m).

John Egan (£5.0m) is therefore handed the captain’s armband in Norwood’s absence, as he sits at the heart of an unchanged defence.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Hourihane, D Luiz, McGinn; Grealish, Watkins, Trézéguet.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Berge, Lundstram, Baldock; Burke, McGoldrick.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

1,407 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    😮

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      😆

  2. Ser Davos
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Burke is a twist

  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Steer over McCarthy was definitely the correct choice this week.

    McCarthy conceded 7 goals and only made one save! That's a -1 (if they weren't disallowed..

    1. Ser Davos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hadn't considered the disallowed goals

      I think McCarthy needs to simply go, even for a hit

      Chris Wood doesn't have the pace of Son, but even so

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Casuals who started him unfairly rewarded... fuming

      1. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        But steers on the bench

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          The gamble has failed. 🙁

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          You my friend have not met Brosstan before.

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 hours ago

            Son people are just born lucky.

        3. Brosstan
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          casuals who started McCarthy instead of benching him for Steer rewarded with the same score

  4. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Best up to 6.0 mid?

    1. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      The Klicher

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Trossard or Podence if he's nailed.
      Maybe a Leeds mid but it seems like a lottery.

    3. Seanigula
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Klich...takes pens

  5. Zimo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Hope Goal Line Technology fails Villa today.

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Martínez to get sent off, Steer to come in get a CS and penalty save

      1. Seanigula
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        That’s wishful thinking...kinda like the Vikings winning a Super Bowl 🙂

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          :'(

          Anything can happen in 2020 😀

          1. Seanigula
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 10 hours ago

            Trubisky for league MVP then 🙂

  6. Ser Davos
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Lots of potential value in this Villa setup

    Watching with intrigue

  7. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    McCarthy
    Trent • Justin • Taylor • Mitchell
    Salah • Mane • Auba
    Werner • Mitro • Adams
    (4.0 / Vinagre / 4.5 / 4.5) 2FT

    Auba to KDB? Want a 4th mod for Vinagre but 0.1 off the 5.5 guys

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      *mid

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      How many frees, is hit an option?

    3. One for All
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      No Spurs? Would do Auba to Kdb and Mane to Son.

    4. Arn De Gothia
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      downgrade Adms and you have your forth mid

  8. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Lots of whispers about Steer starting right until today

    Aaaaaand that's gone

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Martinez was too fast

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Coach hinted at that by saying he's had more of a proper preseason and is more match-fit than the other keepers

        Tbf, the ITK whispers helped in one way: confirmed Steer was second choice, not Nyland

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      whispers from who? the voices in your head?

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        FFScout comments and twitter ITKs

        I didn't listen to them, but there were whispers. The unnecessary mention of a mental health symptom that is no fault of the sufferers is offputting, mind

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Poor Steer owners like me. We needed only one game and we didnt get it.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      ever actually seen Martinez play?

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Aye ,, just 1 game was all we wanted lol

  10. Shark Team
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Sterling Salah or KDB better captain for the next 2 gws?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      kdb

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Need to watch City play tonight

  11. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    How is my 4.5m mid starting up top 😆

  12. MartialMatas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    In sky. If I do Alli to foden now. Will I get fodens points for today?

    1. Seanigula
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      I think, but haven’t played it in a few years...might be past the deadline already

      1. MartialMatas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 hours ago

        Just saw this. Cheers

  13. LewanGOALski
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    I want Harvey Barnes in my team

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      So do I mate

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      I think I prefer Zaha...

      1. LewanGOALski
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Ideally both - Barnes from GW4 and Zaha from GW5

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      I have him. But removed him for Hamez before Barnes played. Now regretting it.
      Barnes could give City problems.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        *had him

  14. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Posted a couple of times and had no reply. Would appreciate any response.

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Davies Vinagre WalkerP Mitchell
    Salah Auba Son ASM Greenwood
    Werner Brewster Mitrovic

    2FT. Thoughts on:

    Mitrovic Auba ASM > DCL KDB Hendrick

    Any other ideas? Thanks

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Burke

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      http://www.gravatar.com and you get more replies

    3. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      I would do Auba Greenwood -> kdb barnes

  15. Zimo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Is lamptey injured for next match?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Graham Potter on Tariq Lamptey's substitution: "He just took a few knocks, he was feeling tightness in his groin area. We were thinking about it at half-time but he said he was OK, so it was more just to protect him a little bit and to change tactically."

      1. Flair
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        He'll be taking a few knocks every week

      2. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        So he's okay to start?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Maybe. Wait for the next presser

    2. Seanigula
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Zimo, get over there and massage that out!

      1. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Haha 😆 no thanks. I can bench for a week 😛

  16. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Was this week a one off or would you trust Son with the armband for NEW and WHU?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      do we think he'll score 4 goals every game he plays? Absolutely.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Obviously I don't expect 4 goals a game but would you be comfortable with him as captain rather than Salah/KDB?

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Over Salah yes, lets see how KDB plays tonight.
          Lot of people will cap Son surely.

        2. EmreCan Hustle
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Definitely a good option. But I would personally prefer a penalty taker.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Boy looked really sharp but a 1 off certainly . That said he's in the mix as Cpt for me

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Looking at a run of Son (NEW), KDB (lee), Son (WHU), KDB (whu), Salah (WHU), Auba (AVL).

    3. Ser Davos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Soton were dismal, but more importantly Son was playing up top like in pre season and with Kane feeding him

      Could be a breakout season and that 7.5-9.5 price bracket often has the most potential

      Spurs are still managed by Jose, have a tight schedule and NEW could park the bus as they did last year. However, he's a worthy captaincy shout given Arsenal's improved defenssive resolve

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        *whispers* Jimenez...

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Jimenez seems to tick over 1 goal every couple of games.
          I'm hoping for one each week from week 3 to 7 but I don't think I would captain him.

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 hours ago

            Good point

            The consistency is my only reason for him in GW3. Probably just going to cap Son with Bruno VC anyway

      2. Brosstan
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        He wasnt playing up top. He played in midfield and made runs from there that SOU didnt pick up.

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          He did look dangerous against Everton but he was playing very wide.
          Coleman did a great job of containing him.

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      No.

    5. Arn De Gothia
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      he has been reliable i think

  17. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Lol just seen this. Man United got Sarr instead of Sancho?

    1. Seanigula
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      and Liverpool will get Sancho next summer...seems fair

      1. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Where will they get a 100m from?

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Nike

        2. Seanigula
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          selling Mane

          1. Zimo
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 hours ago

            Wow theyre selling mane!?

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hey Sarr could be a diamond there , boy has immense talent

      1. Seanigula
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        He could be the only diamond there (ok, maybe Bruno)

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          lol

    3. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Where did you see this? Looks like he is still 3/1 to sign for them

    4. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      After the palace match i think it's pretty clear sancho is great and all but lindelof needs to be replaced by someone like koulibaly. Would rather spend money on him than sancho.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        We desperately need a CB, has to be the priority. A marquee signing RW or ST would be a huge boost too. Most likely end up with nothing or a Fellaini-like panic buy in the 11th hour

        1. Zimo
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          Wish we never spent 80m on maguire. He's the reason we won't be getting another CB.

    5. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Sarr with his crossing ability will be good for Martial and Rashford

    6. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Omg! Such a massive downgrade from a world class player to a championship player.

  18. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Ignoring the -4 hits which are absolutely down to poor planning, do the below moves look reasonable?

    GW3 - Auba (liv) & Fernandes (bri) -> Son (NEW) & KDB/Sterling (LEI)
    GW4 - Martial (TOT) & Wilson (BUR) -> DCL (BRI) & Jimenez (FUL)

    Fixtures should be worthy of the hits, right...?

    Cheers!

    1. Arn De Gothia
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      gw3 absolutely, gw4 depends what happens until then

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Cheers.

  19. Ser Davos
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    A power 😉 midfield of:

    Salah Sterling KDB Son

    Only costs 1m more this season than last (.9 before Son's rise)

    1. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      How’s the rest of your team. ?

      1. Ser Davos
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Dismal atm 😆

        Haven't pressed any triggers, but City/AVL/WOL could tip the balance

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          If Watkins, Bamford or Rodrigo do well then this midfield might be an option. 3 cheap forwards.
          But I feel Chelsea will be hard to ignore.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Mane would look good in there as well...

      1. Ser Davos
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Mane is my man atm, but Salah's pens, home form and captaincy predictability tips it in his favour

        Two away games coming up for Mane though and he's no slouch at home iirc

        Outscored in open play 2:1

    3. Arn De Gothia
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      brave to doubble up on manC before a single game? My powerful mid(?) Salah, Zaha, KdB, Son Rodrigues 🙂

      1. Vazza
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        You only have KDB as your Man C player. Who is the other one?

        1. Arn De Gothia
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          for now yes, want to see them play first. thinking of Laporte or Foden

  20. ronpateluk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    This has WC written all of it right?

    Mccarthy (Button)
    TAA Justin James (Mitchell Douglas)
    Salah Auba Bruno ASM (Stephens)
    Wilson Warner Adams

    I sold Kane with a hit to get Bruno in last week...fml

    1. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Not really, it has potential to do well next week. Perhaps make a 2 to 3 changes just to freshen things up a little bit

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      I have almost the same team. Not liking The team ATM. But no need to rush WC.. just Auba to Kdb/Sterling and maybe another transfer

  21. Vazza
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Can all the No Salah owners please put their hands up.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hiya

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hi

    3. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hi

    4. JHolmes
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Yeah... regrettably did salah to fernandes this week

    5. yakirh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Yes, I have a huge sofa

    6. Ser Davos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Mane here, but captaining him GW1 and Auba GW2 has left me trailing badly

  22. Vazza
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Lateriser says hi

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Way too much hype around Everton assets at the moment. They did not flatten a poor Spurs and only romped when WBA had a red card.

    I have Digne, pondering about getting DCL but will hold to see what happens vs Palace.

    1. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hey they're relatively cheap. And Rodriguez is easy switch to Zaha or Barnes or Foden

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Sure but 1-0 vs Spurs. WBA took the lead and only when the red card came did they falter.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 hours ago

          They were faltering before that.

  24. Joe_Carman
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    I've got several problems in my team and think I've found a way out but not sure if it's worth it?

    1 FT 1.0 ITB
    Current squad:
    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA, James, Shaw (Ayling, Vinagre)
    Auba, Mane, Rodriguez, ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner, DCL, Mitrovic

    I'm thinking Auba, ASM & Vinagre to KDB, Barnes & Dunne (Burnley) for an 8 point hit (ASM because he looks to be injured and Vinagre because he is 4.4 and looking likely to be sold)

    Any ideas are appreciated, thanks!

  25. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Any love for traore ?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Which one?

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Apart from Adama, is there another one?

    2. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Based on your credentials, you have six years of FPL experience. And yet you ask that question. Strange

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Villa or Wolves?

      2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        Who put 50p in you!?!

  26. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Stevens save my GW please. hardly got any points this week...

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Hang tough Chucky

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 hours ago

        good to see you are off to a great start.. 2 hatties in one GW... 😛

  27. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Guys, would you do.....

    Auba > KDB
    or
    Auba and Bissouma > Hamez and Son -4
    or
    Auba and Brewster > DCL and Son -4

  28. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Which 5.0 def?

    A) Saiss
    B) James

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Both

    2. Ser Davos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Saiss

    3. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Neither due to their rotation risks

  29. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Seriously considering an early WC this season which is unlike me but 2x injuries and a red card for Bissouma plus having a multitude of other changes i want to make in general (need City, Everton, Spurs, Wolves)...something is telling me now is the time before i fall even further behind in ML's? Would you WC or maybe just take multiple hits? Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks...

    Current squad (*denotes injured or ruled out) :

    McCarthy / Steer
    TAA / R.James / Ayling / Lamptey* / Mitchell
    Salah / Bruno / Auba / ASM* / Bissouma*
    Werner / Adams / Mitro

    Potential WC squad :

    Martinez / Steer
    Saiss / R.James / Justin / KWP / Lamptey or C.Taylor?
    Salah / KDB / Son / Podence or Kilch? / Alzate
    Jimenez / Jesus / DCL

    1. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 hours ago

      Seems like a good plan

  30. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 hours ago

    Pick 1:

    A) Play James most weeks with Mitchell filling in

    B) Rotate Justin and Burnley/4.5