Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this Sunday with a challenging test against an in-form Aston Villa.
Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, Spurs will be looking to build on their momentum in the league. Despite some recent inconsistency, Ange Postecoglou’s side have shown moments of real quality this season, and they’ll be eager to put on a show for the home crowd.
Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, arrive with ambitions of their own, looking to bounce back after their Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Known for their disciplined structure and ability to strike on the break, Villa will look to use their strengths to cause problems for Spurs, setting up an intriguing clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What time does Tottenham v Aston Villa kick-off?
How both teams go into Tottenham v Aston Villa
Tottenham approach this fixture with a mix of recent results, having narrowly lost to Crystal Palace in the league before delivering a spirited 2-1 win against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. Though Postecoglou’s men have battled with consistency, their undefeated home form adds confidence as they face Villa.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have shown strength on the road, maintaining an unbeaten record in their last six away matches. With a full squad available, Emery’s team will be eager to carry forward their strong league form, ready to challenge Spurs in a high-stakes clash.
Tottenham Team News
Spurs face some potential absences, with Micky van de Ven expected to sit out due to a hamstring strain suffered against Manchester City. Wilson Odobert is sidelined with a hamstring injury from training, and Djed Spence is doubtful as he continues to recover from a groin issue.
Cristian Romero and Timo Werner, both substituted early midweek, are under close watch for recovery; Romero experienced some muscle tightness, while Werner appeared to have a minor groin concern.
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The good news is captain Heung-min Son is hopefully ready to start once again and return to the action after having missed the last 2 games.
Aston Villa Team News
Villa have no injury issues ahead of this game, giving Emery a full selection to choose from. With key players like Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran available, Villa will be confident in putting their best foot forward as they look to maintain their unbeaten away streak.
Predicted Tottenham Line-Up
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Our Prediction
This match promises to be a tactical battle, with Spurs likely to press high and look for opportunities to create overloads in the final third. Postecoglou’s squad employs a high-octane, aggressive style, prioritising intense pressing and quick ball recovery to create goal-scoring chances. However, this style of play proves to be less effective against teams that sit deep, closing down spaces and limiting creative opportunities.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are adept at counter-attacking, with a methodical approach in defence that doesn’t force play unnecessarily. They favour direct passes into spaces behind the opposition’s backline, unafraid of risking possession in order to craft high-reward opportunities.
Spurs will need to capitalise on turnovers, using their central midfield to intercept and initiate swift counters, as Villa’s defensive structure transitions to a low block that becomes particularly challenging to break once they take the lead.
Furthermore, Spurs’ backline must remain vigilant against Jhon Duran, who averages 2.3 shots on target per match and could pose a considerable threat to Vicario’s goal. With both teams excelling in attack, the game is likely to feature plenty of action on both ends, with Tottenham’s home advantage giving them a slight edge.