Aston Villa had a superb season, finishing fourth and securing Champions League football &#8211; but what are their Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and wider fantasy prospects for the year ahead?
We take a look at their 2023/24 season <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a> and star players, predicted starting 11 and set-piece takers. There&#8217;s also a dedicated section for Dream Team and Telegraph Fantasy Football fans.
Find all our team previews in one place &#8211; alongside all our other content &#8211; in our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-ultimate-guide-fpl-tips">Ultimate Guide to FPL</a>.

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<h2>Aston Villa: At a glance</h2>
Manager: Unai Emery
2023/24 position: 4th
Top scorer: Ollie Watkins (19)
Top assists: Ollie Watkins (18)
Key transfers in: Ian Maatsen, Enzo Barrenechea, Samuel Iling-Junior, Ross Barkley, Jaden Philogene, Amadou Onana
Key transfers out: Tim Iroegbunam, Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby
<div id="attachment_64753" style="width: 684px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64753" class="size-full wp-image-64753" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Premier-League-table-2023-24-top.jpg" alt="The top of the 2023-24 Premier League table" width="674" height="553" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Premier-League-table-2023-24-top.jpg 674w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Premier-League-table-2023-24-top-300x246.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Premier-League-table-2023-24-top-610x500.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px" />The top of the 2023-24 Premier League table</div>
<h2>Aston Villa stats and best players</h2>
Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time, with fourth place wrapped up with a game to spare.
Their home form, particularly in the first half of the season, helped to catapult them ahead of the opposition.
Villa Park was a fortress and the team set a club record by winning 15 consecutive home league games.
The run was broken just before Christmas with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United &#8211; but it was the end of January before they suffered a loss on their own turf.
The Villans faded slightly towards the end of the season, losing four of their last five games in all competitions. They were defeated in the Europa League semi-finals, however their run gave the squad valuable experience for their upcoming Champions League debut.
Statistically, Villa ranked in the top six for goals scored and FPL points. Their 76 goals scored was a little ahead of their expected goals (xG) tally of 65.37 but this figure was still seventh best in the league.
They conceded 61 times, roughly in line with their expected goals conceded (xGC).
<div id="attachment_64851" style="width: 291px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64851" class="size-full wp-image-64851" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-season-stats.jpg" alt="Aston Villa's season stats" width="281" height="212" />Aston Villa&#8217;s season <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<h3></h3>
<h3>2023/24 season best players</h3>
Ollie Watkins was one of the league&#8217;s best players, earning him a place in England&#8217;s Euro 2024 team.
No player in the league had more goal involvements than the striker, who scored 19 and assisted 18.
This was all without penalties, which were the responsibility of Douglas Luiz, making his goal total versus the likes of Cole Palmer (22) and Erling Haaland (27) all the more impressive.
Brazilian midfielder Luiz scored four penalties amid his nine goals and five assists. His influence in the middle of the pitch and set-pieces were a key part of Villa&#8217;s success.
Leon Bailey had his best season in a Villa shirt, staying fit enough to make 35 appearance and scoring 10 and assisting 11.
And Moussa Diaby, who signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, managing six goals and 11 assists.
Diaby played a part in all 38 games but sometimes had to settle for a place on the bench in the latter part of the season &#8211; and he has now left for Saudi Arabia.
<div id="attachment_64852" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64852" class="size-large wp-image-64852" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-1024x601.jpg" alt="Aston Villa's top players for goals and assists" width="1024" height="601" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-300x176.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-768x451.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-610x358.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-1080x634.jpg 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists-1280x753.jpg 1280w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Aston-Villa-goals-and-assists.jpg 1282w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Aston Villa&#8217;s top players for goals and assists</div>
<h2>Aston Villa predicted lineup for FPL Gameweek 1</h2>
For our final predicted lineups and team news, see our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-predicted-lineups">team news and predicted lineups article</a> ahead of the deadline.
But below, we take a look at our Villa predicted starting 11 as things stand.
<div id="attachment_65914" style="width: 605px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65914" class="size-full wp-image-65914" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Aston-Villa-lineup.jpg" alt="Aston Villa predicted starting 11" width="595" height="720" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Aston-Villa-lineup.jpg 595w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Aston-Villa-lineup-248x300.jpg 248w" sizes="(max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px" />Aston Villa predicted starting 11</div>
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The battle for the left-back starting spot is one of the main question marks from a fantasy perspective.
Ian Maatsen has joined for £37.5m, a sizeable fee that suggests he will play a major part in Villa&#8217;s season.
But Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno remain at the club and have shared gametime with Maatsen in pre-season. Digne has spent time at left centre-back, although that is unlikely to be a regular position.
On the right, Ezri Konsa could take the place of Matty Cash if he is fit for Gameweek 1 after his Euro 2024 participation. The England international could also displace Diego Carlos, who has been linked with a move away from the club.
Kosta Nedeljkovic has been getting gametime in pre-season and could start at right-back.
Amadou Onana should replace Luiz and with Boubacar Kamara injured, Youri Tielemans should also make the starting 11. Summer signings Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley add depth.
Morgan Rogers has impressed in pre-season but is not 100% nailed, especially with the return of Jacob Ramsey. New signing Samuel Iling-Junior has played plenty of friendly minutes too.
Watkins is a question mark for Gameweek 1, having not featured in pre-season after Euro 2024 duties.
<div id="attachment_65635" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65635" class="size-full wp-image-65635" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Morgan-Rogers.jpg" alt="Morgan Rogers' stats" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Morgan-Rogers.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Morgan-Rogers-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Morgan-Rogers-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Morgan-Rogers-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Morgan Rogers&#8217; <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<h2>Aston Villa set-piece takers</h2>
The Hub keeps a track on all set-piece takers on our dedicated <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-set-piece-takers">set-piece page</a> but here is a summary of Villa&#8217;s set-piece takers.
The departure of Luiz leaves some big gaps in Villa&#8217;s usual set-piece schedule.
He took all six of Villa&#8217;s penalties in all competitions last season. You have to look back to the previous season for a different taker, when Watkins scored one out of two and Danny Ings- no longer at the club &#8211; took three.
Watkins could take on spot-kicks but his career record is not strong, having scored four but missed five.
Tielemans took penalties when Jamie Vardy was off the pitch for Leicester. He could rival Watkins for the responsibility.
Luiz took the majority of corners, with McGinn, Digne and Bailey also taking some. McGinn could take over on free-kicks, with Digne on direct free-kicks if he is playing.
Penalties: Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn
Direct free kicks: Lucas Digne, John McGinn
Corners/indirect free-kicks: John McGinn, Lucas Digne
Aerial threats: Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres
<div id="attachment_64853" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-64853" class="size-full wp-image-64853" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Watkins-penalties-league.jpg" alt="Ollie Watkins' Premier League penalties" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Watkins-penalties-league.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Watkins-penalties-league-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Watkins-penalties-league-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Watkins-penalties-league-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Ollie Watkins&#8217; Premier League penalties</div>
<h2>Aston Villa stats for Telegraph and Sun Dream Team</h2>
Sky Sports Fantasy Football is not running in 2024/25, leaving us to focus more fully on Telegraph and Dream Team in this section.
<h3>Telegraph bonus rules</h3>
Midfielders are awarded one bonus point for every two tackles they make per game.
Goalkeepers earn one extra point for every two saves, providing a source of extra points for the busiest shot-stoppers.
<h3>Dream Team bonus rules</h3>
Sun Dream Team had a complete revamp last season, with a new bonus point system created.
Players can earn one, three or five extra points, with the system taking into account various metrics including pass completion rates, accurate crosses, successful dribbles and interceptions.
Shots, tackles and saves are also a factor in Dream Team game.
All players get one point for every two tackles and there’s one point for every two saves a goalkeeper makes. A shot on target earns one point.
And each big chance created is also rewarded with an extra points.
<h3>How are Aston Villa likely to perform for bonus points?</h3>
Konsa was a standout player from a Dream Team perspective last season, picking up 54 bonus points &#8211; the joint-sixth most.
Onana averaged 2.37 tackles in the league last season from 3.06 tackles per 90 minutes and could be a potential option in Telegraph.
Here are Villa&#8217;s leaders in the main Telegraph and Dream Team bonus categories. <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta" aria-label="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/">Stats</a> are per game unless otherwise stated:
Saves: Martinez (2.79)
Tackles: Kamara (2.15), Cash (2.09)
Shots on target: Watkins (1.27)
Big chances created (total): Diaby (14), Bailey (12)
Dream Team bonus point leaders: Konsa (54), McGinn (39)
<div id="attachment_65637" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65637" class="size-full wp-image-65637" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Konsa-fixtures.jpg" alt="Ezri Konsa" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Konsa-fixtures.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Konsa-fixtures-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Konsa-fixtures-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Konsa-fixtures-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Ezri Konsa</div>
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<h2>Check out our fantasy football ultimate guides</h2>
Our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-ultimate-guide-fpl-tips">Ultimate Guide to FPL</a> has everything you could ever need to guide you through each gameweek. Regularly updated, it includes all our FPL content in one handy place – from team reveals from some of the best FPL managers in the game to tips on the best players and much more.
We also have ultimate guides for <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/dream-team-fantasy-football-tips-the-ultimate-guide">Dream Team</a> and <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/telegraph-fantasy-football-tips-the-ultimate-guide">Telegraph Fantasy Football</a>, which are also home to tips and regular articles from experts in these formats.
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