What to do with Aston Villa players?
Aston Villa have been inconsistent in their performances of late. The Villan’s had won three on the bounce in Gameweeks 27 and 28, scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets. Since then they have lost their last three Premier League matches, scoring just twice, once form the penalty spot. Villa do not have a fixture in Gameweek 33 so what should FPL managers do with their Aston Villa players? We take a dive into Villa.
When Gerrard first arrived at Villa Park there was some excellent new manager bounce. However, since then, especially on the road, Villa seem to have struggled to find the right gear. in the aftermath of another defeat in Gameweek 31 FPL managers who own Villa players are now pondering their future. Should the Villan’s be sold, or should managers hold them and move them to the bench in Gameweek 33.
Fixtures
Aston Villa’s next few Gameweeks look difficult for FPL managers to navigate. Gameweek 32 see’s the Villans face Spurs, with a blank in Gameweek 33 and Leicester in Gameweek 34. After this Villa play Norwich, Burnley and Palace, before Man City on the final day of the season.
On Monday the Premier League announced the next batch of Double Gameweek fixtures. This gave Villa back to back Double Gameweek 36 and 37.
This means that after the blank in Gameweek 33, Aston Villa play six times when most other teams play just four. These additional fixtures add to the appeal of Aston Villa players and leave them third in the Fantasy Football Scout fixture ticker.
Form
Aston Villa’s form has been difficult in the last three Gameweeks. Villa have won just once against Gameweek 31 opponents Spurs in their last eight meetings in all competitions. However, Spurs have only kept one clean sheet in their last four Premier League fixtures. This could mean that the Villa attacking players are worth holding for this fixture.
In the last six Gameweeks John McGinn is top across the Villa team for expected assists (xA). Ollie Watkin’s is top for expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvement (xGI). However Coutinho is top for both expected non-penalty goals (NPxG) and non penalty goal involvement (NPxGI).
Coutinho has had 20 attempts on goal in the last six Gameweeks, six more than Ollie Watkins. Matt Cash and Danny Ings are top for attacking returns in this period with four each.
The form therefore suggests that the Villa players can be held through the more difficult fixtures. Indeed in the last six Gameweeks Spurs have conceded 92 crosses from the left, the second most in the league. This could massively benefit the likes of Matt Cash on Villa’s right.
Chip Strategy
Individual chip strategies will be key in working out what to do with Aston Villa players. A recent poll on Fantasy Football Scout showed that the majority of FPL managers who are planning to play a chip are going to use their Bench Boost chip. For managers playing their Bench Boost owning an Aston Villa assets will not be possible as they blank in that Gameweek. Therefore managers playing a Bench Boost in Gameweek 33 should look to sell their Villa assets.
However, for managers not playing their Bench Boost chip in Gameweek 33 Aston Villa assets could be a good hold. The Villan’s would need to be benched in Gameweek 33 but would then be available for Villa’s promising fixtures and Double Gameweeks.
For managers like Matt Cash benching him in Gameweek 33 seems easy as managers will want to play their budget defenders. For example Tino Livramento plays twice in Gameweek 33 and therefore could be played instead of Cash.
Ollie Watkin’s and Danny Ings are also both benchable in Gameweek 33. Managers will be looking to play the likes of Broja and Weghorst as they both play twice and therefore benching Watkins is easy.
However, the midfielder spots are more in demand. Therefore owners of Coutinho and Ramsey may need to sell to maximise those midfielder spots. However, these are players that managers will want to reinvest in quickly. Therefore managers should carefully consider the value of the transfer now that we know the Villan’s will play back to back doubles.
Community Chatter
Aston Villa Statto has been comparing the goal contributions at Spurs and Villa this season ahead of their Gameweek 32 fixture.
PremFact issues a warning against investing in Villa.
Meanwhile FPL Status shares some stats from the Saturday’s match against Wolves.
Wondering what to expect from Gameweek 32’s fixtures? Check out our recent article.
