Aston Villa have the upcoming schedule to provide managers with a host of value assets in Fantasy Premier League.
Following their trip to Chelsea this weekend, Unai Emery’s side embark on a favourable run of opponents that can reward investment at both ends of the pitch.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Villa’s six matches from Gameweek 7 onwards score a mere two.
Villa's fixtures from GW7
| GW | Opp | FDR | GW | Opp | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Brighton (H) | 3 | 10 | Luton (H) | 2 |
| 8 | Wolves (A) | 2 | 11 | Nott'm Forest (A) | 2 |
| 9 | West Ham (H) | 2 | 12 | Fulham (H) | 2 |
Best Villa defenders
Full-backs Matty Cash (£4.7m) and Lucas Digne (£4.6m) have been the top performers in defence with 22 and 20 points respectively.
Right-back Cash has scored twice, while Digne has supplied three assists from the opposite side. However, managers should be aware that the imminent return to action of Alex Moreno (£5.0m) could change how managers assess the Villa backline.
Moreno was Villa’s first-choice left-back after Emery arrived as head coach in Gameweek 15 last season. He averaged 4.7 points per match, combining three assists with seven clean sheets and five bonus in his 14 outings.
Although he has yet to feature this season, Moreno was an unused substitute in Villa’s win over Crystal Palace in Gameweek 5 and is now available for selection.
Digne’s numbers show he won’t give up the left-back berth without a fight, though. The Frenchman has created 12 chances this term, joint-top among defenders.
If Cash can retain his role on the right, his statistics also look encouraging. His 11 shots, nine shots in the box and five shots on target all place top among defenders this season.
Best Villa attackers
In attack, meanwhile, Moussa Diaby (£6.6m) and Ollie Watkins (£7.9m) have both enjoyed consistent starts to 2023/24.
Diaby has wasted no time in settling following his summer move from German side Bayer Leverkusen.
The Frenchman has combined two goals with two assists to collect a team-high 29 points.
Diaby's goal v Burnley
Another beautiful move! 👌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 27, 2023
🎯 @JMcGinn7
🎯 @LucasDigne
🎯 @MoussaDiaby_19 pic.twitter.com/SyCXts60Mr
Diaby's role as a midfielder in Fantasy is likely to garner him plenty of attention from managers playing the popular 3-5-2 formation.
His nine shots and 11 key passes are both joint-second for Villa, while his four big chances created rank joint-second among all players in Fantasy this season.
At a cost of only £6.6m, Diaby looks the standout pick for Emery’s side.
Don't overlook Watkins
Although Watkins has yet to score, he has blanked only once, supplying an assist in four of his five appearances.
Indeed, the forward remains their chief goal threat despite his recent drought.
His 14 shots, 13 shots in the box and five big chances are all more than any other Villa player.
Watkins has 13 goals and 10 assists in 29 league matches since Emery took charge last season, showing why managers shouldn't overlook him.
View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 6 in Fantasy Premier League
