How should FPL managers invest in Aston Villa?

With an attractive run of Aston Villa fixtures starting from Gameweek 9, FPL managers are seeking the best players to own.

Rejuvenated since Unai Emery’s arrival, Villa sit third in a table of all 2023 league matches. Although the opening weekend brought a slight bump when thrashed 5-1 at Newcastle, they recovered by winning five of their next six.

Currently fifth, Villa are about to begin a nice-looking run of fixtures. It ranks first on Fantasy Football Scout’s Season Ticker between Gameweeks 9 and 14.

Whether it’s with a Wildcard or standard free transfers, here are a few good ways to purchase some Aston Villa coverage.

ASTON VILLA FPL ATTACKERS

As a team, their 19 goals from eight matches are third-most, although they’re only seventh for attempts (122) and joint-ninth for big chances (22). Brighton are the one side to have ‘overachieved’ by more, according to expected goals (xG, +3.41).

Yet for a while, forward Ollie Watkins (£8.1m) was one of the big underachievers. After four assists in the first five outings, he was deemed ‘Due a Goal’ heading into Gameweek 7. And he certainly responded. A hat-trick plus two assists in his 23-point haul, ensuring he’s now the joint-top scorer in FPL with 59 points.

Over 1.2 million have since bought Watkins, knowing he’s also best for goal involvements (11) and has blanked just once. His 24 shots inside the penalty area sit joint-second.

The FPL landscape lacks appealing forwards right now so – despite costing £1.4m more than fellow attacker Moussa Diaby (£6.7m) – the 27-year-old probably gets the nod for covering Villa’s attack.

However, such is the strong case for Diaby, FPL managers may prefer Man City’s Julian Alvarez or even a double-up. The summer signing is classified as a midfielder but is often used up front alongside Watkins in a 4-4-2. His five big chances created rank joint-fourth, adding four assists to two early goals.

An extreme differential could be Douglas Luiz (£5.4m), whose three strikes and 3.20 expected goal involvement (xGI) both actually exceed Diaby. Two of these have come from the spot, as he takes Villa’s penalties.

ASTON VILLA FPL DEFENDERS

The flip side to their attacking fluidity is that they’ve also conceded a lot. Themselves and Brighton are the two involved in most overall goals, so their recent 6-1 made a lot of sense.

Villa had a great defensive run in the latter stages of 2022/23, conceding only three times in a ten-match spell. It’s harder to judge them this time. Clean sheets kept versus Chelsea and Everton, whilst currently being joint-third-best for shots conceded (87). But, simultaneously, they’re also joint-third-worst for gifting big chances (27) to opponents.

Not that Matty Cash (£5.0m) should necessarily be judged on defensive stats. Over 2.5 million managers have bought him since netting twice at Burnley in Gameweek 3, causing five price rises. Emery often asks him to play as a 4-4-2 winger, explaining why he’s the number one ‘defender’ for penalty area touches (26), attempts (16), shots inside the box (13), shots on target (eight), big chances (four) and xGI (3.84).

Should Villa familiarise themselves with clean sheets in this great fixture run, Cash will be a must-have asset.

Those with a tight budget could look lower down the price list for defensive coverage. Left-back Lucas Digne (£4.7m) has racked up three assists and is on the second-most crosses (60), although Alex Moreno‘s (£5.0m) imminent return will add some rotation risk.

Buying centre-back Pau Torres (£4.5m) from Villarreal was a real coup and he scored at Wolves in Gameweek 8, whilst Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) is their sole player to have played every single minute so far.