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The injury crisis that has ravaged Tottenham Hotspur this season is nothing like we have seen before, and Spurs supporters had already become accustomed to a rash of injuries the last few seasons. But now with Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke, and Wilson Odobert all out for the rest of the season (the jury is still out on Solanke technically) on top of all the other injuries this season (big and small, including James Maddison only just working his way back from last season's torn ACL), Spurs have been destroyed.

But there are small hopes for Roberto De Zerbi to keep in his mind as positives. Beyond Maddison returning, Rodrigo Bentancur already came back to the Tottenham midfield from his multi month injury due to a hamstring tear, and he is playing his best football of the season. And soon, Pape Matar Sarr is returning to the middle of the park, too, after missing a few games.

Luka Vuskovic is back

There is one more injury return that Tottenham can technically consider a positive, even though he can't actually help Spurs right now in the relegation fight. But after missing the last few games with a knee injury and getting bit by an injury bug despite being a country or two over, budding superstar center back Luka Vuskovic was quietly back on the bench for Hamburg this weekend in the Bundesliga.

Hamburg won the match 2-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt, and the Croatian international was able to enter the match for the final 15 minutes or so without any issues. Again, Vuskovic is not a Tottenham Hotspur player right now, but he could be in just a few months and is a member of the organiztion on their books. So while his injury return does not help save Tottenham from relegation, it is always great news to hear that the most valuable long term player in the club is healthy again.

Vuskovic will probably play with his brother at Hamburg for one more season, but then Tottenham really need to make sure they are in the Premier League by the time he is ready to join them or any other big club. Because Vuskovic is the next big thing in world football and is already one of the best players at any position in the Bundesliga. Just knowing he is a Tottenham player and is back to health is a real positive for Spurs fans.

Hailed as a genius for having Brentford flirting with European football and supposedly producing some of the Premier League's biggest breakout forwards among Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney, and Bryan Mbeumo, the last several months exposed quite the opposite for Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.

Frank just might be the worst manager in Spurs history, and their relegation malaise currently is largely down to Frank's incompetence. Injuries have certainly hurt, as have the other issues in the squad, but Frank somehow managed to undo all the positives of the Ange Postecoglou era while continuing all the negatives.

Brentford cursed Tottenham with the Frank hire, as Spurs felt they were sold a false bill of goods, told they were getting a genius in Frank only to get nothing out of it. But Brentford had a bit of redemption planned for Spurs this weekend, defeating West Ham United 3-0 to suddenly give Tottenham Hotspur real hope in this relegation fight with another London rival.

Tottenham got a lifeline

As it stands heading into a huge game against Aston Villa, Spurs are 18th in the Premier League table, now two points behind the Hammers and within striking distance after breaking their 15 game winless streak last weekend against 20th placed Wolves.

Now, Spurs still have a lot to do themselves to get back above West Ham in the Premier League table, given only the full three points would suffice and a tie would keep them behind their rivals. But Brentford certainly did their part with a huge 3-0 win, as the goal difference could also come in handy for Spurs in the end, though their goal differential is still a whopping nine points worse than the Hammers (-19 to -10).

Brentford winning this game against West Ham doesn't make up for the Thomas Frank hire, though, of course, the Bees didn't do anything wrong with that. It was all Tottenham's fault for the move anyway, as even Fabio Paratici warned everyone not to hire Frank because he'd be a poor fit.

But a little help is always nice. As for Brentford, they are actually in an even better position without Frank. They are sitting even prettier in the European places nowadays, as this commanding win over West Ham puts them in sixth place, and if they can hold off the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and the (not so) mighty Chelsea, then they will have direct qualification to the Europa League, which would be beyond massive for them.

There are quite a few players in the current Tottenham Hotspur squad whom the club have to look at with tinges of regret - or more powerful emotions of distaste. The most recent signing that has Spurs fans up in arms is the winter overspend on center midfielder Conor Gallagher, though under Roberto De Zerbi, who is a big believer in the veteran, he has begun to take steps towards salvaging himself.

But of all the bad overspends and misfits, Dominic Solanke, currently injured once again, stands out as the biggest flub. At 65 million pounds, the former Bournemouth striker is still, to this day, the record transfer for Tottenham, which is mind blowing when you consider how devastatingly horrendous he was prior to this injury in this Premier League relegation fight.

Even though Solanke had some bright moments against the minnows of the Europa League last season, he was a largely ineffective striker for the 17th placed team in the Premier League despite getting to benefit from James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Son Heung-min as suppliers around him.

Dominic Solanke is not making much of an impact

Aside from a purple patch following a return from his foot injury this season, Solanke has been quite poor, too, making a minimal impact, especially when his team desperately needed him the most over the past several weeks in the apex of a Premier League relegation fight that now increasingly disfavors Spurs.

When you consider the cost, the fact that Spurs have only gotten 12 Premier League goals through two seasons thus far from Solanke is a huge, huge problem. And for a supposedly great all around striker, the 28 year old also only has three assists in these two campaigns, too.

Dominic Solanke's age also becomes a problem. Not that anyone would want to buy him for any fee of significance at this stage - and with injuries in consideration - but Solanke came to Spurs already a veteran and packaged to them as a finished product. So he has no real resale value. What Spurs see is what they are getting, and, quite frankly, what they have gotten is quite little.

Richarlison has his flaws, but at least he is scoring goals, working hard, and actually on the pitch for Tottenham this season. Xavi Simons has shown signs of brilliance. Gallagher is working hard and trying to turn things around. James Maddison is splendid when healthy. Cristian Romero has his problems but is world class on occasion. Solanke? Outside of a few games here and there, he is a massive liability for Tottenham.

When it became unambiguous that Tottenham Hotspur would indeed be fighting for their very Premier League existence, the attention slowly began to turn to Richarlison as a potential solution. Though Richy has been below average this season, once again, he is the team's leading scorer and main threat to finish chances despite his lack of all around quality or consistency, and, most importantly, he is the sort of character who will not give up fighting in a relegation battle.

After all, what made Tottenham spend big to sign Richarlison in the first place was the reputation he earned as a player and a leader for Everton in their darkest hour of need, willing them to safety in the relegation fight.

Richarlison assisted the winning goal against Wolves in the 1-0 win last weekend to secure a vital three points, and he also had the crucial game saving goal against long time rival Liverpool last month to nab another important point in the Premier League relegation fight.

Richarlison is a walking dilemma

But even in that win over Wolves, Richarlison lost the ball unforced six times for Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting the sloppiness and lack of quality beyond the decisive moments that has plagued his overall 2025/26 season.

Roberto De Zerbi has so many issues to work out in the attack, compounded by mounting injuries, of which Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke are now the latest casualties for Spurs. And one of those issues is how to get the most out of Richarlison in this relegation fight.

There is no question that Richy is important to Spurs. Even at his worst, he still, against some odds, produces for the team. The goal against Liverpool and the assist against Wolves cannot be taken away from him, warts and all.

But that's the dilemma with Richarlison. Everyone knows what he is in theory and nobody can ever fault effort with him, which is more than can be said for the likes of Dominic Solanke, and, especially, Randal Kolo Muani. The thing is, where is the quality? And how do Spurs come to rely on a player who can run so hot and cold?

The reality is De Zerbi and Tottenham may not have a choice but to embrace the very best and worst of the chaos Richarlison brings to the table. Though RDZ seems to favor Kolo Muani, for some reason, there has to be an acknowledgment from De Zerbi that Richy is the better option for Spurs now. It's just, will Richy show it?

Lately, there has been a lot of praise for Tottenham Hotspur center midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, as the Lilywhites have been without a defeat since the Uruguayan international's quiet return to the starting lineup after tearing his hamstring in the winter.

While Bentancur was actually one of the antagonists for Spurs in the first half of the campaign, epitomizing the deterioration of Tottenham under Thomas Frank into the most cowardly football in the English Premiership, he has emerged in shining armor under Roberto De Zerbi, even in the place of young Archie Gray.

But it is not a great thing that Bentancur has suddenly become so important to Tottenham and so above the others. Taking nothing away from the player himself, who was exceptional in blanketing an awful Wolves side last weekend in a 1-0 victory, but if Bentancur is the best midfielder of experience that Spurs have in terms of controlling a game, then this team is really in big trouble long term.

Tottenham have serious questions to answer in midfield

Tottenham Hotspur may be able to save themselves from relegation, which still seems bleak at this point, but rebuilding this club back into an annual team in European football is going to be tall task for Roberto De Zerbi and - wistful thinking here- the next leadership group that takes over from Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange.

Bentancur is a decent footballer, but he profiles as more of a rotational piece for a Premier League club with aspirations of hanging around in the top seven. Right now, he is indispensible to Tottenham and one of the driving forces of their survival bid under De Zerbi, which is, among many things, an indictment of how far Spurs have left the standard of quality slip at the N17 in the last few years.

It is all coming home to roost for Tottenham in 2026, and whlie the appreciation for Rodrigo Bentancur is merited, especially in the context of a player saving his own poor season and coming back from a brutal injury, the broader discussions about Tottenham as a whole are far less rosy.

There is going to be a lot of work that needs to be done this summer transfer window, and it is the sort of yeoman's work that has been needed for quite some time and not done. In the meantime, Bentancur will need to keep playing at this level, because, well, Spurs hopes of the Premier League are totally shot otherwise.

It is difficult to list the sheer number of issues plaguing Tottenham Hotspur in this nightmare of a 2025/26 Premier League season, but chiefly at the top of the list is this team's inability to score goals against all types of opponents. The Spurs attack was being carried by Harry Kane and Son Heung-min for years, and now that these two legends of the game are gone, Spurs cannot muster anything attacking wise.

The recent injury to Xavi Simons has gutted Spurs, and though another 10, James Maddison, will soon return from his own torn ACL, the problems in the front line are only going to be exacerbated by the loss of the dynamic Simons.

Right now, the only Spurs forward producing anything of note is Mathys Tel, and he can't get into the starting lineup under Roberto De Zerbi, who wants to utilize the veterans in order to stay afloat in the Premier League.

Randal Kolo Muani has been a huge disappointment

We have heard De Zerbi speak highly of Randal Kolo Muani, who was once one of the most touted French forwards after his breakout at Eintracht Frankfurt. He was even an important member of the French national team at the World Cup, bafflingly enough. And to spare his reputation after a flop of a transfer to Paris, Kolo Muani was actually quite good for Igor Tudor at Juventus in 2024/25.

But this season, aside from a hat trick outburst against employers PSG, Kolo Muani has been an abject failure in a Tottenham shirt. Even De Zerbi is fading him, because while he has started the recent games, he has been one of the first subs called off the pitch after offering no real goal threat.

Tottenham Hotspur don't have many other options, though. And now with Dominic Solanke, De Zerbi's main starting No. 9, out injured, it is down to Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani, and Mathys Tel as the three Tottenham forwards standing.

It's unlikely Roberto De Zerbi gives up on Kolo Muani with how high he seems to be on the former Bundesliga star. With such a low shooting volume and with Kolo Muani looking so disinterested, perhaps the Italian manager goes for a bold solution in an effort to shake things up and coax some actual football out of the perennially disappointing striker.

With Solanke down for the count, maybe it is Kolo Muani who now becomes the main No. 9, with play running through him as either the central striker in a 4-3-3 or, more likely, the main striker with Mathys Tel or even Richarlison in support. Whatever it is, Spurs have to try something, because Kolo Muani's situation has been long past untenable.

Although it is unclear when James Maddison will return to the Tottenham Hotspur midfield as their starting No. 10, which is an even more important return after Xavi Simons himself tore his ACL in last weekend's streak breaking win over Wolves, the Lilywhites are set to get another key midfielder back in the side - even if he isn't as big of a headline grabber as Madders.

According to Roberto De Zerbi at the final press conference before the huge Premier League tilt against Aston Villa, Senegal international Pape Matar Sarr is ready to return to the matchday squad from his injury.

De Zerbi told reporters, via Football.London's Alasdair Gold, “Today was the first day with the group but he worked very well. He’s available, yes. I have not decided yet the starting XI.”

Pape Matar Sarr is back in the saddle

Sarr has not suited up for Tottenham Hotspur since a 30 minute cameo off the bench against Sunderland in their return from the March international break on April 12, as he sustained a shoulder injury. But he's going to be back in the saddle against Aston Villa, though De Zerbi is leaving the door open as to whether or not he is a starting option.

Lately, Tottenham have been starting all veteran midfielders under De Zerbi. Xavi Simons would actually play on the left wing with winter signing Conor Gallagher in the 10 position and Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma behind him.

Since Bissouma has been more mediocre than stellar, he is the easiest one to lop off the lineup. Tottenham have to make tough decisions with the forward line with Simons (and Dominic Solanke) down, but if Maddison is not available, then Gallagher will still be the 10.

And that increases Sarr's chances of getting back into the starting lineup, because he still has enough experience to be considered by Roberto De Zerbi as a more senior player. He is definitely a better option than Bissouma and can offer the same level of grit, work, and defensive quality as Bissouma in that box to box role alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.

Pape Matar Sarr may not be a star player, and his importance to Tottenham this season is technically part of the problem. But he is still a useful player to Spurs, whether as a starter when they are down in numbers or as a rotational piece. So the confirmation that he is back with Spurs in injury crisis in midfield is great news, especially against an opponent the caliber of Aston Villa.

Aston Villa are fifth in the Premier League table, 24 points better off than the lowly, seemingly doomed Tottenham Hotspur heading into Sunday's duel in the West Midlands.

On paper, this is a game Spurs should not win. However, odd things tend to occur down the stretch, and our desperation, combined with the Villans' alternate priorities, means Roberto De Zerbi's depleted outfit have a fighting chance.

If we are to survive, a result is imperative at Villa Park. That's the feeling. We don't want to be heading to Chelsea in a couple of weeks time needing to win to avoid the ignominy of those folk being the executioners.

Despite claiming our first Premier League win of 2026 last weekend, the level of optimism in N17 is rather subdued after another tough round of injury news. De Zerbi, though, won't tolerate anyone feeling sorry for themselves. He's embracing the challenge, and this group of players, despite everything that's conspired against them during the run-in so far, are fighting for this manager.

Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for Tottenham

"It’s all negative things, and it’s rubbish. I want to keep my focus on ourselves, on the qualities of my players," De Zerbi asserted on Friday, attempting to shift the mentality of his squad and its supporters for the final month of a torrid season.

He said after a crushing draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion that his team are capable of winning five out of five to preserve their Premier League status. Well, Spurs are one for one on that front, and now chasing an unlikely win at Villa Park.

They're aided by the fact that this fixture arrives between Villa's Europa League semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest, and Unai Emery is bound to rotate heavily on Sunday night. His team are eight points clear of Brighton in sixth, likely to secure Champions League football anyway, so they're not desperate for a result this weekend. Thursday night's clash is doubtless more significant.

Moreover, Tottenham have enjoyed their visits to Villa Park over the past 20 years. In fact, we've triumphed at Aston Villa's home more times (10) than any other away ground in the Premier League since 2006.

We're happy hunters when we visit the West Midlands, and some of our recent victories have been emphatic. Antonio Conte's Spurs thumped the Villans 4-0 towards the end of the 2021/22 season, then Ange Postecoglou's side won by the same margin two seasons later.

The long awaited return of Tottenham Hotspur star attacking midfielder James Maddison is finally right around the corner after his torn ACL late in the 2024/25 season, and his reintroduction to a team threatened with relegation could not come at a better time, especially with the other No. 10, Xavi Simons, now out for the foreseeable future with a torn ACL of his own.

Maddison was the team's chief creative architect besides wide man Son Heung-min last season, enjoying a successful season en route to the Europa League title. A long time star of the Premier League, Maddison brings the kind of veteran leadership and proven quality that Spurs have really missed this season with a sea of injuries.

When Maddison was last playing for Tottenham last season, Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and already had serious issues in the middle of the park. It's why they tried bringing in Joao Palhinha, Conor Gallagher, and Simons as new faces to begin with.

Tottenham's midfield is in shambles

But a year lafter, with Maddison on the verge of returning potentially against Leeds United, Madders enters uncharted territory to a Tottenham midfield that has completely fallen apart. New manager Roberto De Zerbi has cobbled together the veterans to form something salvageable, somehow getting improved play out of Rodrigo Bentancur and Gallagher in a starting XI alongside the mercurial Yves BIssouma.

None of those guys, even in good form, is a starting caliber player for a Premier League Big Six club. So when James Maddison returns from his injury, he may be the only top midfielder standing, and that's assuming he still has the juice after a devastating knee injury.

Being the leading face of this midfield is a tall task for Maddison, and he wil have to bridge that group and a front line that has been quit atrocious this season, showing no real signs of growth under De Zerbi either. Mathys Tel returning to the starting XI would obviously help matters, but it's also not like Tel is ready to be a true star at the highest level either.

Tottenham fans will be very happy to see a healthy Maddison back out there, but his return leads to this sobering reflection that Spurs, who were already terrible in the Premier League last season, are markedly worse in the areas that matter most a year later. And hence they are reliant on these desperation ploys like Maddison back from an ACL tear to be the catalyst that saves them from relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur have to go forward for the remainder of the 2025/26 Premier League season with almost a paradoxical mindset. They have to believe, firstly, that they must be perfect and win every game, leaving nothing in the relegation battle to chance. But they also must play freely without fear and without that sense there is anything to lose, because it is the cowardice and trepidation that has cost them - and we have seen that this season.

Roberto De Zerbi has hit all the right notes in his press conferences as the early Tottenham manager, and he has done so in the ways that neither Igor Tudor nor Thomas Frank were able to. The charismatic De Zerbi delivered again, starting a war on negativity head on before the Aston Villa game.

And as part of that, De Zerbi sent some slight praise over to Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani in light of an injury crisis that is only deepening and adding to that negativity surrounding a Spurs side that is still in the three Premier League relegation places.

Roberto De Zerbi has faith in his forwards

De Zerbi said, via Last Word on Spurs, “If Xavi and Solanke are injured we can play with Kolo Muani, Tel, Richarlison. These are not bad players. We have Porro, Van de Ven, Udogie (lists a lot of other fit players). I don't have too much time to hear these things.”

Tottenham Hotspur fans already know that Mathys Tel is good, but it is Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani, the two experienced strikers, who have born the brunt of the negativity from within. And rightfully so, to be blunt, they have been disappointing this season and especially lately - Kolo Muani being the biggest offender of them all.

Instead of trying to wax poetic about them or gush their praises in a blatant and rather disengenuous bid to raise their spirits or gas them up, De Zerbi smartly took a quicker and more subtle approach. He brought up Kolo Muani's transfer pedigree to PSG and Richarlison's standing as a Brazil national team player, as both men were World Cup starters in 2022. He used those facts in the press conference, in addition to offering confidence that they can step up with Simons and Solanke down for the count.

And Kolo Muani and Richarlison needed to hear that from their manager. They needed De Zerbi to counteract the negative by showing that he trusts them. But, well, the onus is now on them to earn that trust and play well vs. Aston Villa.