Fantasy Premier League 2021 – 13th-17th Place Preview
Aston Villa
Fixtures
Attack 0%
Defence 73%
Oh, dear! Villa have had a good transfer window, bringing in a promising young striker and a promising young right back in Watkins and Cash.
Even more importantly they have held on to Jack Grealish, who is certainly the only reason they are still in the Premier League. But this is going to be a tough start (a blank GW1, Sheffield United, Liverpool and Leicester in the opening 6), so best avoided for now.
Main Pick
Jack Grealish (MID, 7.0m)
Who else? Nobody at 7.0m or less scored more points or more goals. Only Barnes and Traore got more assists, and neither of them plays for a team fighting relegation. If you look at mids under 7.5m, he is 3rd for shots, 3rd for shots in the box, and top for chances created.
With Watkins ahead of him some of those chances might even get converted! Once the fixtures turn (GW6) he will be under serious consideration, and if he defies the fixtures and starts well I will bring him in earlier.
Differential Pick
Ollie Watkins (FWD, Price TBC)
It’s hard not to be a differential when you’re not even in the game yet. At the time of writing, Watkins was signed earlier today and has not been added into the roster yet. However, he is a hugely talented young striker who got 26 goals last year in the Championship, taking nearly 3 shots per game. If he forms a decent partnership with Grealish then he could be devastating.
Defensive Pick
Orjan Nyland (GK, 4.0m)
As with a few of my picks from the lower teams, this is driven by price. A 4.0m starting goalkeeper is a rarity in FPL and something to be treasured. Heaton will be back fairly soon, but for now, enjoy spending as little as possible on a goalkeeper, just don’t expect much back given the fixture list.
Related Story. FPL Preview of 5th-8th Place. light
Steer Clear
Anyone else!
Villa are a team that is built through the strength of the team and the talents of Grealish. Their goals tend to be shared around, and there aren’t many to share!
Their defence is porous at the best of times, and there is a reason they finished 17th. They are good for a talismanic hero in Grealish and cheap bench fodder, not much else.