It’s taken a while for Aston Villa’s season to come to life – but with seven points from their last nine in the league – it belatedly has.
Right at the centre of it has been Jack Grealish, with the Villans’ skipper currently topping the Fantasy League player points table for October.
This is thanks to two goals and three assists – and there may be more to come.
Yes they are facing Man City this weekend, but sides that counter attack with pace have troubled the champions before. If Dean Smith can keep his charges tight at the back, the expected City win may not be so routine.
It’s not just Grealish performing well for Villa, as Wesley Moraes has four goals and an assist this month too. The question for Fantasy League managers – is this a spurt of form or representative of something more concrete?
Has October also been the month when it’s safe to put Chelsea defenders back in your teams?
Two clean sheets already – and another away at Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday – means eyes are once again drawn towards the likes of Marcos Alonso, who has a monthly tally of 12 points from the aforementioned shutouts, a goal and two assists.
If Frank Lampard can get Antonio Rudiger into his backline soon, their solidity could increase further.
The European fixtures mean a bumper Super Sunday, and all eyes will be on Anfield where Liverpool welcome Spurs.
Liverpool have looked blunted by the absence of Mo Salah lately, and with Mauricio Pochettino’s men having turned in a confidence-boosting display in midweek, it could be more even than some suspect.
With the high Jurgen Klopp backline, expect Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura to get joy in behind. Indeed with a relatively benign run of games to come, it could be an opportune moment to transfer in one or both of these Spurs forwards.
Finally, will this be the week the beleaguered Watford register a Premier League win?
They’ve still got a way to go to beat the infamous ‘longest run of games from the start of the season without a win’ record (16 – QPR in 2012/13) but with a depleted frontline – Troy Deeney, Danny Welbeck and Isaac Success are all out – don’t bet on it coming against Bournemouth.
