Aston Villa and Everton both concluded their pre-season friendlies recently, each revealing trends that impact Fantasy Premier League (FPL) preparations.
Here are some crucial insights from these matches that FPL managers should consider.
Aston Villa's Struggles Against Borussia Monchengladbach
- Goalscorer: McGinn
- Assist: Buendia
Aston Villa Lineup: Bizot (Wright 46), Nedeljkovic (Cash 46), Lindelof (Pau 53), Mings, Rowe (Maatsen 46), Bogarde (Kamara 46), Barkley (Jimoh-Aloba 86), Alysson, Lynch (Buendia 46), Hemmings (McGinn 46), Abraham (Burrowes 53)
SCOUT NOTES
- Aston Villa ended their pre-season with a 2-1 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach.
- Manager Unai Emery rested key players from the Super Cup lineup, allowing only Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof, and George Hemmings to start. Notably, Alejandro Garnacho missed out again due to concussion.
- Gladbach dominated the first half, taking a 2-0 lead before Villa improved after halftime with the introduction of several first-team players.
- John McGinn scored Villa's sole goal from a cut-back by Emiliano Buendia, who is now responsible for six pre-season attacking returns, the highest among Villa players.
However, the match also raised fitness concerns as Tammy Abraham left the field injured after a slip. With fellow forwards Joao Gomes and Brian Madjo already sidelined, manager Emery might have to rely on Ollie Watkins in the upcoming season opener at Brighton.
Everton's Mixed Performance Against Lille
- Goalscorer: Ndiaye (penalty)
- Assist: Dewsbury-Hall
Everton Lineup: Pickford (Travers 64), Rohl, Tarkowski (O’Brien 64), Branthwaite (Keane 64), Mykolenko (Aznou 76), Hackney, Armstrong (Patterson 64), Dewsbury-Hall (Alcaraz 76), Dibling (Johnson 64), Ndiaye (George 64), Barry (Beto 64)
SCOUT NOTES
- Everton wrapped up pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Lille.
- Significant absences included James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam due to injuries, as well as Christian Norgaard, who remains unavailable.
- On a positive note, Jordan Pickford made his return, and Jarrad Branthwaite returned to the starting XI. Debutant Brennan Johnson also played in the second half.
- Iliman Ndiaye scored a penalty, marking his second successful penalty conversion in pre-season, establishing himself as Everton's first-choice taker.
- Despite some missed chances from the team, Everton showed potential with lively performances, particularly from Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
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Implications for Fantasy Premier League Managers
The matches served as a litmus test, showing how both teams might shape up heading into the new season. For FPL managers, these findings could inform transfer decisions. Aston Villa’s reliance on McGinn and Buendia could tilt potential investments towards either player, especially if injuries persist within their squad. If you’re working in this space, McGinn's performance is worth a second look given his role and connections in Villa's attacking setup.
On the other hand, Everton may be starting to find their rhythm, especially with Ndiaye stepping up as a penalty taker. Typically, a confirmed set-piece taker is prized in FPL, as penalty conversions can provide a reliable source of points. But the injury status of key players like Garner leaves uncertainty that managers need to navigate carefully.
Fitness concerns loom large in both camps. Aston Villa's personnel situation appears increasingly precarious with multiple forwards out of contention. That said, this may open up opportunities for emerging players but also places extra pressure on a thin squad to maintain performance levels. Everton, while also managing significant injuries, has the return of players like Pickford and Branthwaite, which will be crucial for defensive solidity as the season gets underway. Questions remain about their goal-scoring capabilities, however.
The players’ fitness and selection should be monitored closely leading up to the first matchdays, as these insights could drastically influence overall FPL team strategies. And this is the part most people overlook. Performance in pre-season can often differ significantly from league form, but tracking these trends offers invaluable insights into manager preferences and player roles.