Claret Villans
Fansided

Aston Villa choices ahead of the start of Fantasy Football

By James Fudge

Aston Villa's English head coach Dean Smith looks on from the sidelines during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on July 26, 2020. (Photo by Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa's English head coach Dean Smith looks on from the sidelines during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on July 26, 2020. (Photo by Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Ollie Watkins #11 of Brentford celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg match between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park on July 29, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Ollie Watkins #11 of Brentford celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg match between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park on July 29, 2020 in Brentford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Watkins 6.0, Wesley 6.0, Samwatta 6.0, Davis 4.5, Vassilev 4.5

Wesley’s injury is likely to give the starting berth to new signing Ollie Watkins. The player signed for a club record fee of £28million plus add-ons and fans will be hoping he turns his prolific form in the Championship to the league above.

His ability stepping up will be questioned but the former Brentford striker will be looking at a goalscoring target of 15 goals this season. A largely achievable target if he links up well with Jack Grealish. If he hits the ground running then he will be a permanent name in the starting XI.

Watkins will be competing with the Brazilian striker once he is fully fit and will be hoping to show his credentials that earned him a move to the club at the start of the last season. He has had enough time to settle into life in Birmingham with fans demanding an improvement in front of goal when he returns.

Mbwana Samatta is unlikely to be included in many squads given that he is one name Villa are looking to sell after only joining the club from Genk in January. He scored one goal in his 14 appearances and never looked up to the standard to the English game.

Next. Grealish's finally makes England senior debut. dark

My choice: Ollie Watkins – The striker is the missing jigsaw piece that Villa identified as a frontman. Goals, goals, goals plus a few assists will be required.  His finishing abilities will be tested against better defences but many fans, including myself, are predicting he will hit the ground running.

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