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The Scout on why Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth defenders can immediately reward managers
The Scout looks at clubs who can be paired together effectively to help Fantasy Premier League managers make a strong start in 2022/23.
Aston Villa and Bournemouth
Aston Villa were among the best defences in Fantasy in the previous campaign.
Their total of 11 clean sheets was bettered by only six other sides, level with Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
AFC Bournemouth, meanwhile, return to the Premier League boasting the best defensive record in last season’s Championship.
The Cherries recorded 21 shutouts and conceded only 39 goals on their way to finishing second to Fulham.
Villa and AFC Bournemouth combine to provide Fantasy managers with a very favourable run of opponents from the start of the season.
Indeed, by playing the defender with the strongest fixture, managers would face a promoted opponent in five of the first 12 Gameweeks.
How to rotate from the start
| GW | Team | Opp |
| 1 | AVL | BOU (A) |
| 2 | AVL | EVE (H) |
| 3 | AVL | CRY (A) |
| 4 | AVL | WHU (H) |
| 5 | BOU | WOL (H) |
| 6 | BOU | NFO (A) |
| 7 | BOU | BHA (H) |
| 8 | AVL | SOU (H) |
| 9 | BOU | BRE (H) |
| 10 | AVL | NFO (A) |
| 11 | BOU | FUL (A) |
| 12 | AVL | FUL (A) |
Goalkeepers Emiliano Martinez and Mark Travers could appeal to managers who like to rotate between the posts.
Travers made more saves than any other promoted ‘keeper in 2021/22 and can be a major source of value.
Both Villa and AFC Bournemouth also have defenders who can reward investment at both ends of the pitch.
Villa’s Matty Cash profited from new head coach Steven Gerrard’s preference for attacking full-backs last term.
The right-back combined three goals and three assists with nine clean sheets from Gameweek 12 onwards.
Cash goal v Everton
Cash Money. 💥 @MattyCash622 pic.twitter.com/RWLOkcWvdB
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 18, 2021
If Cash is too expensive to rotate, Tyrone Mings could be the best value option in the Villa backline.
A major threat from set-pieces, he has five goals and eight assists in the last three campaigns.
Left-back Jordan Zemura was AFC Bournemouth’s standout performer in defence in 2021/22.
The Zimbabwe international scored three goals and supplied an assist in 33 Championship appearances.
Tomorrow: Jonny and Guehi can reward early investment
Also in this series
Part 1: How to guarantee home matches for your picks
Part 2: Pair up Leeds and Brentford for great early fixtures
Part 3: Cucurella and Justin can combine for returns
JC THỂ THAO
