Fantasy Premier League: Man City and Aston Villa midfield duos feature in team for GW30+

With unlimited transfers activated before the restart to cope with the changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes sense to stock up on players from these teams.

If you have your Wildcard intact then you should do so without hesitation to make the most of the DGW30+ before playing in ahead of GW31+ to set up for the rest of the campaign. You could even play your Bench Boost or Triple Captain if those are available too.

In the absence of these chips, a more strategic effort is required to ensure you have enough DGW players without compromising the balance of your squad moving forward.

However, in this series, we focus on the best possible squad within the parameters of the rules and budget for each individual GW.

Here, we focus on the team for Double Gamweek 30+.

FORMATION: 3-5-2

GOALKEEPER

Dean Henderson – Sheffield United – 5.3m
vs AVL (A), NEW (A)

A reliable asset with 10 clean sheets so far this season – only Nick Pope has more (11) – Henderson is good option even without the added bonus of his two fixtures in GW30+. If you plan to leave him in your side for the rest of the season though, make sure to have a suitable bench option for GW31+ when Sheffield face Manchester United because the Red Devils loanee will be ineligible for that fixture.

DEFENDER

Jack O’Connell – Sheffield United – 4.7m
vs AVL (A), NEW (A)

Another Sheffield asset to consider and with good reason. At just 4.7m, O’Connell is great in terms of budgeting to fit in other players and make the most of this DGW. He’s also a steady option having started every game this term. There have been some concerns about stocking up on the Blades defence given that the long break might see lapses in organisation and concentration at the back but that’s where you’ll find the most value from their players.

DEFENDER

Matt Targett – Aston Villa – 4.4m
vs SHU (H), CHE (H)

It’s rare to advocate for an Aston Villa defender in FPL but Targett has proved this season that while clean sheet points will be difficult to come by with him, he does have plenty of attacking potential. He’s managed three assists and a goal in his 20 matches this campaign, averaging an attacking return every five games.

DEFENDER

Enda Stevens – Sheffield United – 5.2m
vs AVL (A), NEW (A)

Stevens rounds up our Sheffield contingent and is another reliable asset who has started every game this season. He has some value at the other end of the pitch too with two goals and two assists to go with 10 clean sheets. Chris Wilder’s side play both their GW30+ fixtures on the road but the Bundesliga has proved that disadvantage is curtailed by the absence of fans in the stadium. The Blades will back their strength against Villa and Newcastle in any case.

MIDFIELDER

Jack Grealish – Aston Villa – 6.4m
vs SHU (H), CHE (H)

Predictably the most transferred in Villa player and that makes complete sense given he’s their main man with seven goals and seven assists this season. He’s involved in everything they do going forward and was top for shots in the box and chances created in the last six GWs. Quite simply, he has the quality to deliver on any given day and failing to do so over two home fixtures would be a surprise.

MIDFIELDER

Bukayo Saka – Arsenal – 4.7m
vs MCI (A), BHA (A)

In truth, Saka’s inclusion is a means to an end because of how affordable he is but to limit the reasoning behind his pick to just that is doing him a disservice. The Arsenal youngster’s appeal is increased by the fact that he could take to the pitch twice in this GW but he was busy making the left wing his own just before the lockdown. He had three assists in the previous six games, showing plenty of value in attack.

MIDFIELDER

Kevin De Bruyne – Man City – 10.6m
vs ARS (H), BUR (H)

Is there any active team that wouldn’t feature De Bruyne at this point? As if his role as chief destroyer at Man City with eight goals and a whopping 18 assists this campaign was reason enough for his inclusion, he has two home fixtures to look forward to this GW. What also sets him apart from the other options at City is that he’s pretty much nailed on to start in spite of these uncertain times and Guardiola’s notorious tinkering. Remember, he’s also chasing Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season.

MIDFIELDER

Anwar El Ghazi – Aston Villa – 5.5m
vs SHU (H), CHE (H)

Many will be flocking to John McGinn who began the season with a bang and has now fully recovered from a fractured ankle. However, he hasn’t played a competitive match in six months and may be eased into proceedings. El Ghazi may be a more viable option who has impressed and is second only behind Grealish for Expected Goal Involvement [xGI] at Villa. With four goals and five assists this season, he’s shown that he can deliver.

MIDFIELDER

Riyad Mahrez – Man City – 8.5m
vs ARS (H), BUR (H)

Leroy Sane’s return is a bit of a concern in terms of Mahrez’s starts but Pep Guardiola may be cautious with the German’s minutes to preserve him for Champions League games which should be Man City’s main focus now. With five substitutes to play with, Mahrez should have sufficient time on the pitch anyway even if he begins games on the bench. He was one of the form players before the break with three goals and four assists in his last six starts.

FORWARD

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal – 11.1m
vs MCI (A), BHA (A)

The frustrating thing about Aubameyang that drives FPL managers wild is his tendency to blank when you really expect him to score. With two bites of the cherry this GW though, he looks all the more appealing. If Arsenal score, he usually has something to do with it having been involved in 46 per cent of their goals. He’s also chasing the Golden Boot with 17 goals so far and has more bonus points (29) than any other forward.

FORWARD

Sergio Aguero – Man City – 11.8m
vs ARS (H), BUR (H)

The concern with Aguero is always his playing time but when he’s scoring a goal every 87 minutes this term, he’s certainly worth including especially when he’s playing two games in a GW. City have little to play for in the league but the Golden Boot is always on the Argentine’s radar and with 16 goals so far, he’s only three behind Jamie Vardy. History dictates that he’s an explosive captaincy option as well and against defences that may not be entirely fit or switched on, he could cause all sorts of problems inside the box.

BENCH

GK

Bern Leno – Arsenal – 5.0m
vs MCI (A), BHA (A)

1st Sub

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Arsenal – 7.8m
vs EVE (A)

2nd Sub

Danny Ings – Southampton – 7.1m
vs NOR (A)

3rd Sub

Willy Boly – Wolves – 4.8m
vs WHU (A)

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