Following the release of the 2025/26 fixtures, The Scout highlights the clubs and players to target for the opening Gameweeks in Fantasy Premier League.
Aston Villa
A very favourable run of early opponents looks encouraging for Villa's key players at both ends of the pitch in Fantasy.
Unai Emery's side face just ONE of last season's top eight in the first eight Gameweeks of 2025/26. This takes place in Gameweek 1, when they host Newcastle United.
Furthermore, Villa's matches with Sunderland and Burnley in this spell means they are among only four clubs - along with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur - who face TWO of the three promoted clubs in their opening seven matches.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) - where the easiest possible matches are ranked as No 1 and the hardest are ranked as No 5 - NONE of Villa's opening eight matches score more than three.
Aston Villa's first eight fixtures
| GW | Opponent | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle (H) | 3 |
| 2 | Brentford (A) | 3 |
| 3 | Crystal Palace (H) | 3 |
| 4 | Everton (A) | 3 |
| 5 | Sunderland (A) | 2 |
| 6 | Fulham (H) | 3 |
| 7 | Burnley (H) | 2 |
| 8 | Spurs (A) | 3 |
*1 = easiest, 5 = hardest
Ollie Watkins was once again Villa's top-scoring player in Fantasy last season. The forward amassed 186 points - at least 25 more than any team-mate - thanks to 16 goals and eight assists.
The underlying statistics also show Watkins is the standout player for Emery's side for goal threat.
His 84 shots and 81 shots in the box were both team-leading totals in the previous campaign. Meanwhile, his total of 40 big chances - which are situations where the player is expected to score - was at least 25 more than any other Villa player.
Morgan Rogers was Watkins' closest challenger in his breakout campaign in Fantasy last season.
The midfielder produced eight goals and 11 assists to claim 161 points.
That all-round style of play is clearly shown by the underlying numbers. Indeed, Rogers' 55 shots, 38 shots in the box, 15 big chances, 52 chances created and 16 big chances created ALL ranked second for Villa.
Having started last season at a mere £5.0m, though, you can expect Rogers' price to rise markedly this time around, with a move into the mid-price bracket inevitable.
At the back, Ezri Konsa was Villa's top-scoring defender last season, earning 103 points thanks to two goals and eight clean sheets.
The centre-back was also the most secure pick in defence, starting 33 of his side's 38 matches - at least five more than any other Villa defender.
If he remains under £5.0m in Fantasy, Konsa has the schedule to prove a handy budget pick in the early stages of 2025/26.
Next: Nottingham Forest
