ASTON VILLA may have started the season slowly but they have stormed back into form in recent weeks.
Unai Emery’s side registered the biggest win of Gameweek 11 when they beat Bournemouth 4-0 last Sunday.
That victory over the Cherries made it eight wins from ten games in all competitions for the Villains.
This sharp upturn has propelled them up to sixth in the Premier League table, just two points behind third-placed Chelsea.
This is what Dream Team managers have come to expect from Villa under Emery’s watch, not the lacklustre showings of their first six outings of the campaign, during which time they failed to win and scored just two goals.
Gaffers were quick to ditch their failing Villa assets throughout August and September but it would be foolish to ignore viable options following their resurgence.
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Matty Cash (£3.6m) is best performer in the squad at this stage having amassed 86 points via six clean sheets, two goals and 22 tackles.
The Poland right-back has rediscovered his best form this season and currently ranks eighth among Dream Team defenders.
Ezri Konsa (£4.3m) is an intriguing prospect.
The England international passes the eye test and his smooth style is reflected in his tally of 18 bonus points, the highest total among players in his position.
MOST BONUS POINTS AMONG DEFENDERS THIS SEASON
- 18 pts – Ezri Konsa
- 14 pts – Neco Williams
- 12 pts – Gabriel Gudmundsson
- 12 pts – Gabriel
- 11 pts – Hugo Bueno
- 11 pts – Trevoh Chalobah
- 11 pts – Michael Kayode
- 11 pts – Jan Paul van Hecke
The composed 28-year-old ranks third among defenders for both blocks and fouls won.
Konsa, who features in just 1.9% of teams, is six points behind Cash at the time of writing but both men average an impressive 5.7 points-per-game.
Dream Team bosses are not exactly short of defensive options this season with Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Tottenham assets flying high but Cash and Konsa have to considered smart differentials for the remainder of the month.
After the international break, Villa will face goal-shy Leeds at Elland Road before hosting Young Boys in the Europa League with both fixtures falling within the jurisdiction of Gameweek 12.
After that, Gameweek 13 brings a home game against 20th-placed Wolves, the lowest scorers in the top flight, as well as a trip to Brighton.
The Seagulls pack a punch on their day but Emery will be relatively hopeful of clean sheets after the break.
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In terms of attacking options, it’s not all that easy to identify potential difference-makers.
No Villa midfielder or forward averages more than 4.6 points-per-game this term.
Emi Buendia (£2.8m) has emerged as a tempting bargain having scored four goals and provided two assists in his last eight appearances.
However, the Argentine playmaker’s minutes are a slight concern.
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It’s a similar story for Donyell Malen (£2.7m).
Gaffers keen on targeting Villa’s upcoming fixtures are probably better off backing Cash and/or Konsa and hoping for clean sheets.
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