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If you need some guidance ahead of GW7, sit back and take their advice on board…
Yet again, Aston Villa assets made the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who had sold them regret their decision in Gameweek 6 with their 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
Dean Smith’s men proved themselves to be rock solid defensively. On the back of being third for aerial duels across Gameweek 5, Tyrone Mings (£5.0m) again impressed, this time coming top for clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI) across the weekend with 13.
So far this season, Mings has an expected goals (xG) total of 0.56; this is better than the likes of both of Liverpool’s attacking defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) and Andy Robertson (£7.0m), Chelsea’s Reece James (£5.6m) and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw (£5.5m)
Team mate Matt Targett (£4.8m) also impressed in Gameweek 6, coming tenth for xG under achievers, meaning that he was unlucky not to register more than the 6 points that he did. So far this season Targett has registered 117 successful passes, 64 of them in the opponent's half and 24 of them in the final third. The left-back has also created three chances so far, suggesting that Targett is finding himself in the right positions to add attacking points to his FPL totals.
It was Kortney Hause (£4.4m) who blew the roof off Old Trafford with a late goal in what was his first start of the season. Hause registered 15 FPL points as a result of his goal, clean sheet and all three bonus points. His average position in Gameweek 6 was far higher than in his substitute appearance in Gameweek 3 which is positive for FPL managers if he holds his place in the starting 11 for Gameweek 7.
The Villa defence all put in fantastic displays in Gameweek 6, making them all look like attractive options for FPL managers. Their appeal is increased further by Emi Martinez (£5.5m) who registered nine points against Manchester United from a clean sheet, one point for registering four saves and two bonus points.
Couple this with the eight points that Martinez received against Everton and he is showing the form that made him so popular last season. Martinez has registered three clean sheets now this season - something only Ederson (£6.0m) and Alisson (£6.0m) have exceeded.
The 29-year-old is currently registering a save every 37.5 minutes, which is great for FPL managers as it means he is likely to increase his returns due to the extra point given for every three saves.
However, it’s not just defensively that Villa look like wise investments. Going forward there is great potential in owning one of the front two.
Between them, Ollie Watkins (£7.3m) and Danny Ings (£7.9m) have registered 16 attempts on goal and 3 big chances. They have also managed 49 penalty area touches.
At just £7.3m and averaging a chance every 28.1 minutes, Watkins could be a great replacement for Leeds United injury doubt Patrick Bamford (£7.9m), especially as three of his biggest points returns (13 points, 9 points, 9 points) have come against two of the teams he plays in the next three fixtures.
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