Dec 14

Aston Villa - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on Aston Villa, who will be hoping to avoid relegation after the loss of some key players. A Villa fan Reddit from has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Aston Villa players should make your FPL teams. We will also be at hand to answer any of your Villa related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our Aston Villa team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season

OPENING FIXTURES

Bournemouth (A) Man Utd (H) Crystal Palace (A) Sunderland (H) Leicester (A)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Leandro Bacuna, Scott Sinclair Freekicks: Leandro Bacuna, Ashley Westwood Corners: Ashley Westwood, Jack Grealish

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Dimitar Berbatov (Free agent), Emmanuel Adebayor (loan rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Guzan Hutton, Clark, Richards, Amavi Gil, Veretout, Gueye, Grealish Gestede/Kozak, Ayew (Such is the large amount of additions in the Villa side, it is hard to second guess Tim Sherwood's selection.)

ASTON VILLA'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Last season Villa struggled at the back they conceded 57 goals one of the worst in the Premier League, whilst at home it was 25 league goals. Despite conceding so many goals between Guzan and Given they kept 10 clean sheets. Villa looked all over the place at the back when Paul Lambert was in charge but since the arrival of Tim Sherwood their defence knuckled down and looked a lot stronger. They've added to their defence with the likes of Amavi and Richards but we wouldn't be banking of Aston Villa defenders to keep consistent clean sheets.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Brad Guzan (4.5m) - The American is likely to continue as the number one for Villa. There were times last season where he looked clumsy and was dropped for Given at the end of the season. He doesn't face any real competition and should nail down that starting place for another season. VERDICT: We'd avoid him as there are better options for 4.5m. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Mark Bunn 4.5 - The replacement for the departed Given and he's unlikely to replace Guzan in the starting line up. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's probably won't take Guzan's place and is likely to see little game time. 

WHICH ASTON VILLA DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

The Aston Villa defenders last season didn't provide much in the way of points but their new signings this season look very promising. Firsty Micah Richards who has joined from Manchester City, he's got the ability and the talent but should be used as a centre back this year. This leads us onto our pick in Jordan Amavi, he's a left back who joins from Nice in Ligue 1. He's very good going forward and will provide a threat week in week out for Villa. He is also good defensively and should help Villa concede less goals. He's our pick for a Villa defender.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Jordan Amavi (5.0m) - The left back joins from Nice in France where he was one of the best defenders in the league. He was an attacking threat and provided good defensive stability. Throughout pre season he's looked very good and Villa fans have warmed to him already. VERDICT: He's at a competitive price range but will be an attacking threat, he's a great rotation option. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: He's at a competitive price range but will be an attacking threat, he's a great rotation option. Leandro Bacuna (5.0m) - Last season he made 10 starts and nine substitute appearances. In them 19 games he contributed five assists. He's very good in the final third and has a good delivery on him but he's suspect defensively. VERDICT: Unlike Amavi we don't feel he can justify his price tag, for that reason we would avoid. He also faces competition from Hutton. Jose Angel Crespo (4.5m) - It's currently unclear if he is going to break into the starting lineup. He joins from Cordoba who he only signed permanently for in April 2015. He brings versatility being able to play both at fullback and at centre back. VERDICT: It's yet to be seen where he is going to play and how often he will play, for that reason we would avoid him. Alan Hutton (4.5m) - We are unsure if Sherwood is going to favour Hutton or Bacuna at right back, he also has the choice of new signing Crespo. When he does play he doesn't contribute much int the final third. VERDICT: Avoid him, will be rotated and he's not going to score enough FPL points. Micah Richards (4.5m) - Although in recent years he has played at right back he looks set to start for Aston Villa as a centre back. He has a good chance of starting there whilst Okore is out injured. A threat from set pieces and a player with great career. VERDICT: Could be a decent pick for 4.5m if you can't afford Amavi and want an Aston Villa defender he's a good alternative. Ciaran Clark (4.5m) - There is talk he will be the next club captain after Delph's departure, this means he's going to be a nailed on starter at the back for Aston Vila. He improved massively last season and will be one of the first names on the team sheet VERDICT: He should be nailed on to start at the back but we would avoid due to his discipline, last season he was booked eight times and sent off once. Jores Okore (4.5m) - Expected to be out until September and once he's back he may find it hard to get back into the strarting line up. He has talent but this season he may struggle to show that talent. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's injured till September so won't be scoring you any FPL points. Kieran Richardson/Lewis Kinsella/Philippe Senderos/Nathan Baker (4.0m-4.5m) - Unfortunately we can't see any off them making a massive impact either on FPL or on Aston Villa. They will be third or fourth choice for the respective positions. VERDICT: Only pick them if you want a cheap bench player to free up funds for another player, they are not going to score you points.


WHICH VILLA MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

There are two choices in the Villa midfield. The Spanish midfielder Carles Gil looks very appealing, he struggled to get into the side last season but Sherwood has spoken positively about his chances this season. He is currently out with a knock but once he's back he will be creating a lot of chances and will be key to Aston Villa. Jordan Veretout proved in Ligue 1 that he is a goalscoring midfielder but we would hold off on that to see it translates into the Premier League. This leads us to our choice Jack Grealish. He is still raw and has a lot to prove to both Sherwood and Villa but the manager is a big fan of him and has pushed him through into the first team. He's creative and creates a lot of chances - it's a gamble but if you rotate him then it could be worth it.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Jack Grealish (5.5m) - Broke onto the scene last season and was fantastic. He's very creative and technically brilliant, manager Sherwood is a massive fan of him. He's likely to be a starter for Villa and could pick up goals and assists. VERDICT: His price tag seems just to expensive, so we'd advise holding off on him till he starts to justify his price tag. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Jordan Veretout (6.0m) - Another player to join from Ligue 1, this time from Nantes. He enjoyed a fantastic season last year scoring seven goals and assisting six from midfield. He can play either behind the striker or deeper in centre midfield and is very good from set pieces. He should slot straight into the starting line up for Sherwood. VERDICT: We wouldn't put him straight into our team due to his pice tag, but we would recommend keeping an eye on him due to his return in goals and assists from last season. Carles Gil (5.0m) - Since joining in January 2015 he's looked very lively but after Sherwood came in he was pushed out the side because the manager wanted ‘fighters.' Sherwood recently came out and said he will be a regular in the first team this season. He has wonderful technique and is very creative. He should pick up a lot of assists if he plays. VERDICT: He picked up a knock during pre season, once he's back and fit he will play a big part for Villa. Charles N'Zogbia (5.0m) - When he plays he looks lazy and disinterested, for an attacking midfielder he had horrifically low assist numbers only getting two last year, he's very inconsistent and Sherwood could push him out the side. VERDICT: Avoid him, a lot better options for 5.0m. Joe Cole (5.0m) - He will be making the odd appearance but nothing more than 15 minute cameos, he's well past the player we saw from his time at Chelsea and will struggle to make an impact on games. VERDICT: Definitely not. Scott Sinclair (5.0m) - Now signed on permanently at Villa, Sinclair will be hoping to get more game time than he's had in the last two season. We feel that he is going to be back up for Villa and feature from the bench, if Villa pick up one or two injuries though he will feature and he has the talent to change a game. VERDICT: Not from the start, if Villa do suffer injuries that results in Sinclair getting game time, you should consider him for now though it's a no. Idrissa Gueye (5.0m) - Signed from Lille this summer, he's expected to go straight into the team in defensive midfield. Last season for Lille he scored four goals and collected two assists. He's perfect for keeping possession and breaking up play but also loves a tackle, if he times it late he could pick up bookings. VERDICT: Due to the fact he's a defensive midfielder, we'd avoid him. Ashley Westwood/Carlos Sanchez (4.5m) - They are both likely to drop out of with the addition of Gueye who should be put straight into the starting 11, and even f they do play we wouldn't consider them due to being defensive minded midfielders. VERDICT: Avoid both of them.


WHICH ASTON VILLA FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Last season Benteke was a banker for an Aston Villa forward but since his departure to Liverpool, Villa have signed two new strikers in the shape of Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede. Gestede joins from Blackburn Rovers and throughout his time in the Championship he has proved himself as a goalscorer. He shows similarities to Benteke being a target man like player. We think Ayew is the better bet for your striker, once again he is a gamble to select, coming into a new league but for Lorient last season he scored 12 goals and they really struggled in Ligue 1. He's quick and knows where the goal is. He may take a few gams to settle in but once he has done the goals points may come in each week.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Jordan Ayew (6.0m) - At the age of 23 he's already played 159 times on the French top flight. Villa have really splashed the cash on him with the fee believed to be around 12 million and is expected to go straight into the team. He is known for his quick feet and agility but his goal scoring record seems to be overlooked. He scored 12 goals last season in a side that finished 16th. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: He is certainly a risk, coming into a new league, but he's going to start and is Villa's best hope for goals. Libor Kozak (5.0m) - It's touch a go who will be the strike partner for Ayew between Kozak and Gestede. Kodak has been impressive throughout pre season and could start the season as the main striker. He missed last season with a leg break but is now fully fit. VERDICT: We wouldn't risk him from the start in the hope he starts ahead of new striker Gestede. Gabby Agbonlahor (5.0m) - He's played over 300 games for Vila but his goal return in the Premier League is pretty low, only scoring 73. His highest goal tally came in 2009-2010 when he scored 13 goals. He has a three to four game spell each season where he is very good otherwise he's pretty poor. VERDICT: He seems to expensive for what he does at 5.0m, he only scored six goal last season in 34 games and was booked seven times. Not enough goal and to many bookings to be considered for your FPL side. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (4.5m) - 16-years old and only played one game for Aston Villa, it's very unlikely that he's going to see regular game time and score goals on a regular occasion due to his age and the players ahead of him. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's not going to be playing much.


OVERALL SUMMARY

Brad Guzan looks set to be the number one keeper this season despite his shaky end to the last season, he doesn't face much competition from Bunn and will look to lock down his place over the season. In our eyes, in the defence you have the choice of two defenders. Richards brings power and ability having played for Manchester City and England in his career. He's most likely to be used centrally limiting his points output. We like Amavi, he was very impressive last season and has looked very sharp in pre season with Villa fans talking up their new signing already. Midfield posses a few questions, mainly is Grealish ready? He came into the team at the end of the season and looked a real threat, he's got a good relationship with Sherwood and as seen from the managers past players perform under him when he shows confidence in his players. So whilst it is a gamble to put Grealish in your team, none of the other Villa midfielders show much potential. Finally upfront both Gestede and Ayew are new signings and Kozak is coming back from injury. They should all feature throughout the season but we believe Ayew will score the most points.

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