Unai Emery knows better than anyone what FPL managers go through on a match-by-match basis.

As the festivities continue, online players must decide - similarly to the Aston Villa head coach - who they should pick between Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran to lead their line on Game Week 18. Of course, there are other options out there - in the fantasy football world - but perhaps none more so expectant than Villa's deadly duo.

Villa continue their Premier League charge at Newcastle on Boxing Day (3pm). It's a mouth-watering meeting that can be watched for free on Amazon Prime Video - with a few terms and conditions.

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But who will get the nod for Villa up top? And how might that impact what happens in the FPL sphere?

Despite boasting two of the most feared goal-getters in the top-flight, Emery has resisted the urge to start Duran and Watkins in tandem so far this season. For the most part, the latter has been the go-to man with Duran offering Villa a reliable and prolific option from their substitutes bench.

In the last three games, though, the Columbia international has started - with success - leading Emery to sit down with Watkins and provide assurances over his team status. "I spoke with him [Watkins] about the important player he is in the squad, sometimes playing or sometimes not playing, like in the last games, for different circumstances," said Emery during his pre-match press conference.

"One of those is because Jhon Duran is progressing and increasing his demand in our task every match."

Emery added: "Collectively, as well, I need from the players tactical work. He [Duran] is understanding, improving, increasing his commitment to do the work we need. Of course, Ollie Watkins is always doing it. Now my challenge is to try and get the best of them individually.

"Hopefully I can play with both being successful and getting the tactical idea we have."

FPL managers might have been blind-sided by Emery recently, but it would come as no surprise to see him start in attacking quarters on Boxing Day - not would it be a huge shock to see Watkins recalled. Duran has scored 12 goals in 25 games across all competitions this season, while Watkins has seven strikes to his name in 23 outings.

In the online world, Watkins is still the preferred choice for FPL managers. As things stand, the 18-cap England star is owned by 15.4 per cent of players, with Duran a relative wildcard - still - featuring in 4.8 per cent of teams.

Watkins (79 points) still edges his fellow striker (53 points) in terms of output, but he does cost more in that game (£8.8m to £5.9m), as well. The deadline for Game Week 18 comes at 11am on December 26 (Boxing Day).