Spurs look to bounce back from a devastating 4-0 loss to Liverpool when they take on Aston Villa at 5:35 pm on February 9. After having their Carabao Cup dreams ended by the Reds, Ange Postecoglou’s side will look to keep their FA Cup hopes alive when they travel to Birmingham. Here is our Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup for a huge game in both sides’ seasons.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs Aston Villa For February 9
How Tottenham Hotspur Have Lined Up Recently
Antonin Kinsky was a busy man during the Liverpool game. The January signing made six saves as his defence failed to stop attack after attack. Djed Spence was the Tottenham defender with the most credit left after a terrible team performance. The 24-year-old won seven duels and was not dribbled past. Kevin Danso only won one aerial duel but had a decent individual debut. Ben Davies and Archie Gray both struggled with the intensity of a semi-final at Anfield.
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Tottenham’s midfield was the main disappointment from a heartbreaking result. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr only completed 24 passes between them. Rodrigo Bentancur was slightly better but still only won five of his 12 duels. A strong midfield is key to winning big games and Postecoglou will likely use this performance as an example when looking at where he can improve his side in the summer.
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Richarlison’s nightmare season continued when he was forced off injured after 45 minutes against Liverpool. The Brazilian had recently returned from a two-month injury absence. This meant Mathys Tel made his Spurs debut earlier than anticipated. The teenager struggled to get involved in a hostile Anfield atmosphere. Tottenham’s other two attackers, Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son were equally as quiet and the Lilywhites will need to be more of a threat if they are going to win at Villa Park.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Recent Form and Tactics
Spurs lined up with an uncharacteristically defensive midfield against Liverpool. Lucas Bergvall was dropped for the more experienced minds of Bissouma, Sarr, and Bentancur. The trio struggled massively and Postecoglou should return to his usual attacking style and formation against Villa.
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Before the Liverpool game, Tottenham had gradually rebuilt their form. Wins over Hoffenheim, Elfsborg, and Brentford had built some momentum that was demolished with defeat in the semi-final. With one cup competition crossed off Tottenham’s list, they must beat Villa and keep their FA Cup hopes alive. Failure to do so could see fan morale reach an all-time low.
Injuries and Suspension To Consider
Richarlison’s injury was a kick in the teeth after a long spell on the sidelines already this season. There is no timeline yet for the striker’s return so new striker Tell will have to carry the void until Dominic Solanke returns. Micky van de Ven is doubtful for the game. The 23-year-old hasn’t played since returning from a month’s absence against Elfsborg.
A group of players including Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, Timo Werner, and Brennan Johnson could return for the Manchester United game on February 16. Radu Dragusin is out for the season after tearing his right ACL.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs Aston Villa
GK: Antonin Kinsky
RB: Pedro Porro
CB: Kevin Danso
CB: Ben Davies
LB: Djed Spence
CM: Archie Gray
CM: Lucas Bergvall
AM: Dejan Kulusevski
RW: Mikey Moore
LW: Heung-min Son
ST: Mathys Tel