Everton vs. Aston Villa - Fantasy Premier League Preview: Gameweek 4
Everton fans are still reeling from the loss of their star man, Mikel Arteta to Arsenal, after the Spanish maestro was snapped by the Gunners on deadline day in the transfer window.
Jack Rodwell, the young Evertonian, has vowed to fill the hole left by Arteta in the Blues’ midfield, but that pair of shoes may just be one size too big.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa have also lost their star player, Ashley Young to Manchester United, but unlike their Blue counterparts, the Villains had enough time to recuperate and have spent in the transfer window.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in the league, having recorded a win and two draws while Everton have won one and lost one match so far, so early advantage, on the basis of form, has to go to Villa.
Everton
Without Mikel Arteta pulling the strings in midfield, it will be tough for Everton to re-adjust in such a short space of time, but one player the entire squad will be depending on is the American point scoring machine, Tim Howard.
While he may not be consistent, his ability to score points against equal and lesser sides has seen him as a regular keeper for many fantasy sides and this match may very well depend on him.
Defenders
With Leighton Baines a doubt, Phil Jagielka (5.5-million) is a strong choice and despite the player’s tendency to find the back of his own net, he is known to get on the right side of the score sheet as well.
Midfielders
Marouane Fellaini (6.4-million), Tim Cahill (8.8-million) and Leon Osman (6.9-million) are the only players known to score points, while Fellaini’s position as a holding midfielder may make him an unattractive prospect, as the danger he poses from dead ball
situations make him one to watch.
However, with Arteta gone, it will be up to Cahill to step up to the plate and the veteran Australian should be good value for it.
Strikers
With Louis Saha (7.2-million) being the only recognised striker in the squad, one would think that picking him would be a no brainer, but the fact is that Aston Villa strikers seem a more attractive prospect.
Aston Villa
Signing Shay Given as goal keeper was a piece of transfer genius by the Aston Villa manager.
Keeping two clean sheets in three games, means 15 points on the board, however, he is a doubt for the weekend and will face a late fitness test to see if he can play on the weekend.
Defenders
David Dunne (5.5-million) is continuing what he started at Manchester City and scoring points for fun, though costing 0.5-million less and with a more attacking mindset is former Liverpool left back, Stephan Warnock.
With 14 points to his name already, expect the player to cause havoc down the left flank.
Midfielders
Stililyan Petrov (6-million), Charles N’Zogbia (7.4-million) and Fabian Delph (5.5-million) should be the choices managers restrict themselves to.
However, Delph still has not established himself and we here at Bettor.com are huge admirers of N’Zogbia and his ability to earn us many, many points.
Strikers
With a potentially devastating pairing of Darren Bent (10-million) and Gabby Agbonlahor (6.5-million) on the cards, managers who are looking for strikers to pick on speculations over this match should be going for Agbonlahor.
With Bent doubtful, his fellow English compatriot should be a thorn in Everton’s side.
Our Picks: Stephan Warnock will cause problems and Agbonlahor should have his name on the score sheet, though Given seems to ready to take his clean sheet tally to three as well.
We recommend you stick to Aston Villa players for this match.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of Bettor.com
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