Sky Sports

Predict the score and pick your Aston Villa and Brighton XIs...

Monterosa This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Head-to-head record

Aston Villa have won seven of their last nine Premier League games against Brighton (D1 L1) and are looking to complete the double over them for the third time after 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Brighton have won just one of their six Premier League away games against Aston Villa (D1 L4), conceding at least twice in each of the five games they failed to win.

Hello from Villa Park!

Big game this one between Aston Villa and Brighton because both need a result badly.

Villa have lost their last two Premier League games here which is out of character given their previously spectacular home record. A third defeat would really set alarm bells ringing, although Manchester United and Chelsea failing to win last night has altered the momentum in the race for the top four.

Brighton's situation is more perilous with Fabian Hurzeler under fire from his own supporters given their miserable form. A bad one here after that home defeat to Crystal Palace would only sour the mood further.

We will have team news, video, stats and more before kick-off.

Hurzeler: Brighton suffering a lack of confidence

Under-fire Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler admits his side are suffering from a lack confidence as he battles to regain the faith of the club’s disgruntled fanbase.

Albion were booed off following Sunday’s deflating 1-0 defeat to fierce rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium, with some supporters calling for Hurzeler to be sacked.

The Seagulls have won only one of their last 12 top-flight fixtures – a run which began with a 4-3 home loss to midweek opponents Aston Villa in early December – to slip to 14th in the Premier League table.

“I will keep trying to find solutions together with my players because that’s why I’m here,” said Hurzeler.

“I try to help the players. I try to get into their minds. We have a loss of self-confidence and how you get the self-confidence back is by getting the right results. How do you get the right results? By working hard.

“This is the only option we have. We have to work harder. We have to stick closer together in these times and that’s what we try to do. We have the opportunity on Wednesday (at Villa) to do this.”

Brighton sit eight points above the drop zone with 13 games remaining.

Asked if his team could be dragged into relegation danger, Hurzeler said: “It’s not the moment to look like this. It’s (time) now to bring the self-confidence back, to get the results back. We have to focus on us.”

Predict the score and pick your Aston Villa and Brighton XIs...

Monterosa This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Nev on Villa's top-five hopes: I hope they don't miss out!

Sky Sports' Gary Neville speaking about Aston Villa's Champions League qualification prospects:

"I did say last week on the podcast that Aston Villa could miss out, but I said I hope they wouldn't.

"The manager knows what to do, but they've got their midfield players missing. McGinn, Tielemans and Kamara, they're out for quite a while.

"It's a big ask for Villa to miss their engine room, the heart of the team. That's the big question on them, but again Unai Emery is someone who you wouldn't put it past him to find a way.

"He has an ability to find a way."

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner says striker Jean-Philippe Mateta does not require surgery on his knee.

The Frenchman's move to AC Milan fell through on Deadline Day because the club doctors believed he needed to have an operation.

However, there was a difference of opinion from several specialists that Mateta has seen since the transfer window closed, according to Glasner.

"He doesn't need surgery," said the Palace boss, confirming it was Mateta that took the final decision.

"The injury is not as bad as feared. That is the opinion from several doctors and specialists that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery.

"He will miss a certain [amount of] time. I can't say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, but he doesn't need surgery. That's very positive. Hopefully, he is back soon."

Glasner said Mateta was disappointed his move to Milan collapsed at the last minute but expects the striker to benefit from having clarity over his future.

"It is clear now that he will be a Palace player until at least the summer," said Glasner.

"He wants to be back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. That is his mindset and it's the best he can do."

Hello and welcome to Selhurst Park!

We’re set for midweek Premier League action as Crystal Palace host Burnley under the lights in south London. Palace come into tonight with an impressive recent record against the Clarets, winning their last three league meetings without conceding, while Burnley arrive still searching for consistency on their travels.

The hosts will be keen to arrest a worrying run at home - winless in their last seven Premier League games at Selhurst Park - but history is on their side against sides starting the day in the relegation zone. Burnley, meanwhile, have found trips to the capital tough going, with just one win in their last 16 league visits to London.

We’ll have all the build-up, team news, key stats and live updates right here throughout the evening, so stay with us as we get closer to kick-off in south London.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham after Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle. A fifth loss in nine matches forced the north London club's board into action, writes Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge.

Frank had people supporting him, who didn't want to make this decision - but his position had become untenable.

Who next for Spurs? Have your say...

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Spurs fixtures & scores | FREE highlights▶️

Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

Tottenham didn't want to do this, but they had lost the fans. There was no way back. It had to be done.

They had to make a decision. They have got Arsenal in 12 days' time and it is not the game anyone wants.

Many thought it might have happened after a very damaging West Ham United defeat here a few weeks ago, but he stayed in his job and two victories in the Champions League against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt got Spurs through to the last 16.

But they're in serious relegation trouble now and it did become untenable.

The atmosphere on Tuesday night wasn't good inside the stadium. His name was booed when it was read out before the team's names were read out.

It's happened a lot this season. Against Chelsea. Micky van de Ven didn't acknowledge him. Djed Spence.

Everyone likes to be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, apart from the home fans. Someone said to me, "Newcastle aren't very good away from home." Tottenham aren't very good at home.

It wasn't much of a surprise.

And then at the end of the game there was more booing. And I was there and the first few minutes, it just looked like Newcastle were really up for it.

It was interesting hearing Eddie Howe and the away fans getting behind him in that away section last night. And the home fans, quite the opposite.

So I think it was a matter of when, not if. And they decided to make this change now. And ultimately, they had to make a decision.

Do they think Tottenham are better with Frank in this relegation situation or without him? They decided it will be without him.

Frank was very well liked, a very engaging character, a very nice guy. I enjoyed speaking to him, but he didn't really endear himself with the supporters really from day one.

In terms of the club's recently released statement, what do I get out of it? Firstly, no news yet on his backroom team.

Remember, he has brought quite a few members of the backroom team from his previous time at Brentford, including Justin Cochrane, who is very highly regarded.

Johnny Heitinga has only just joined the club a couple of weeks ago, replacing Matt Wells, who moved to get a head coach role in the United States.

So that's an interesting one. And of course, no news on what direction they'll go just yet. It does feel there's potential for an interim.

We know there are so many high-profile managers who will be available in the summer. You could pretty much have a Transfer Show in itself for managers.

But this is a very, very big football club and you just wonder maybe if someone shows their interest over the next few days.

What we do know is Frank is no longer the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur and Spurs now have a gap before the north London Derby against Arsenal.

And what a game for a new interim coach! You'd imagine it'll be done by then so the new man can come into the north London Derby, with Arsenal going for the title and Spurs trying to stay up. Unbelievable stuff!

What went wrong for Frank?

Analysis from Sky Sports' Nick Wright, Adam Smith and Sam Blitz:

Thomas Frank's Tottenham spell is over after just eight months.

Tuesday night's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle, who were winless in their previous five matches, ended up being the final straw. Spurs remain without a Premier League victory in this calendar year.

Spurs were booed off by their own supporters at both half-time and full-time of the loss to the Magpies, with chants of 'sacked in the morning' and 'we want Frank out' aimed at the head coach.

Frank arrived in the summer as the popular Ange Postecoglou's replacement following a successful seven-year spell in charge of Brentford. Why did it not work out for him at Spurs?

Tottenham's next five games

February 22: Arsenal (h), Premier League - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

March 1: Fulham (a), Premier League - kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

March 5: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League - kick-off 8pm

March 15: Liverpool (a), Premier League - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Back to Home

This content is provided by , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies for this session only.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tottenham are looking for a sixth permanent manager in seven years after sacking Thomas Frank - who will they turn to next?

As it stands, the early indications are that an interim appointment until the end of the season is the most likely route Spurs will go down.

There is expected to be a lot of change among head coaches at various clubs this summer, so it makes sense to wait until then to see who is available.

Who next for Spurs? Have your say...

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Spurs fixtures & scores | FREE highlights▶️

Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

'Glasner, Silva and Iraola were all on Spurs' radar'

Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, Marco Silva at Fulham and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are all out of contract at the end of June. All three were on Spurs' radar last summer even though Frank was first choice at the time, and Glasner has already said he is leaving Selhurst Park.

Manchester United will also decide on their next permanent manager this summer, when Michael Carrick's short-term deal comes to an end.

There has also been speculation over the futures of Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot this season, although both remain committed to Man City and Liverpool and their current contracts, which run until the summer of 2027.

There is a World Cup on the horizon in the USA too, where the home nation is managed by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who only this week spoke again glowingly about his time in N17.

Roberto De Zerbi has just left Marseille overnight, and people in the game expect the former Brighton boss to come back to the Premier League at some stage.

'Not an obvious choice for interim appointment'

But if there's no permanent appointment until the summer, who could be in charge when Premier League leaders Arsenal cross north London to face Spurs - live on Sky Sports - on Sunday February 22?

In terms of an interim appointment, there does not appear to be an obvious choice.

John Heitinga was recently brought in as an assistant to Thomas and he was popular at Anfield while working with Slot, before he took the Ajax job in the summer - where he was sacked after just five months in charge.

Tottenham's statement today only mentions that Frank is leaving. There is no mention of his assistants - yet.

The last interim that Spurs last turned to was Ryan Mason when they sacked Antonio Conte and then Cristian Stellini in 2023. Mason was recently sacked by West Brom.

Former Spurs player and manager Tim Sherwood is another who has been linked with a potential interim return and speaking to Sky Sports News, he insists whoever goes in has a tough job on their hands.

"There's a shortage of people they can turn to," he said. "I think they will turn to Heitinga, who is there already and has experience as a manager.

"It's a great opportunity for someone who is not in a job. It's a club I love and I know a lot about it having spent many years there in different capacities. It needs someone to give the club a lift, whether that is me or whoever they decide to bring in.

"Whoever it is has a tough job on their hands because let's face it, in the summer it is going to be Pochettino. It will be impossible for Spurs to look beyond Pochettino with the clamour from the Tottenham support to bring him back to the club."

Redknapp: Of course I'd love interim job

One name that has routinely come up in conversation regarding an interim stint is the return of Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp led Spurs to the Champions League during his first tenure in charge between 2008-2012, and although the 78-year-old hasn't managed a club since 2017, he admitted that he would love the chance to take charge on a short-term basis if the call came.

"Would I fancy it? Of course I would! I'd do it without any shadow of a doubt," he told Sky Sports.

"But, I'm a realist. I don't live in cuckoo land. It's very doubtful I would get the job.

"Could I do the job? Yes, I could do the job. What they need now is someone to come in and get back to basics. Hard work when you lose the ball. Don't be embarassed when you lose the ball to run hard to get it back. Work together, bit of confidence. Make them believe in themselves. If someone can do that they will get the results they need.

"They've got my number. If anyone wants to ring me they know where I am. I wouldn't be holding my breath sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring, that's for sure.

"I've got loads of energy! There's not a spare hour in my diary! Yeah, that's not a problem."

'Poch return a no-brainer'

There's one standout candidate among the fans, who want Pochettino back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium either now or in the summer after the World Cup...

George94: I would get Pochettino back100 per cent. The fans like him, all the players like him and I like the style of football he plays. It is a no-brainer.

Liam: Get an interim for the rest of the season, then go all out for Poch in the summer after the World Cup. Fans want him back, he wants to come back.

DaveSpurs: I suggest we get Tim Sherwood or somebody who knows Spurs as interim manager until the end of the season, and get Poch back in the summer.

Andrew21: Right decision to let Frank go. Let's go and get an interim who knows the club inside out, then welcome Poch's return in the summer.

JSawyer22: Harry Redknapp and Ryan Mason to take over until the end of season. Get some actual football being played and the fans enjoying going again. Then bring back Poch after the World Cup.

'There's no guarantee the great times return under Poch'

However, Jay Bothroyd, speaking on Sky Sports FC, provided a word of caution over a potential Pochettino return.

"When a manager goes back to a club he's already been at, it's not guaranteed that there will be great times again," he told Sky Sports News.

"The Tottenham team he managed was a great side. He helped develop some of those players but they were still top players with so much ability.

"I'm not sure any of the players today would get into that side.

"But there is no doubt Pochettino loves the club and knows it extremely well."

Keane? Carrick? Alonso? Do the fans want anyone else?

Pochettino is the name that is mentioned the most but there are a few other candidates who are interesting the Spurs supporters...

Big Tel: I think De Zerbi would be sensible until the end of season. That way he can get a better look at the squad and if they give him full control, he can make additions when and where is needed.

Gazza 1990:I think we should go all out and get Michael Carrick as our manager!

Peripheral Vision: Get on the phone, get on your knees, admit you were wrong, and give Ange Postecoglou the season three he and the squad deserved. He got us into the Champions League, he should be the one to manage us in it.

Lucky: It was a questionable appointment from the beginning. A lot of the decision-making at the club is poor. I would like to see Xabi Alonso come in next, but with us so close to the relegation zone, I'm not we can take a risk on him now.

Conor: Get Robbie Keane!

'Keane has passion needed to get Spurs moving forward'

Michael Dawson agrees, Conor!

Former Spurs defender Dawson has called for former team-mate Robbie Keane to be an option for the job at Spurs.

"Spurs have a big decision now over who comes in," Dawson told Sky Sports News. I hear people talking about an interim appointment and if that happens, they can only be thinking about Pochettino in the summer.

"But if they wanted to make an appointment now, there's someone out there. Someone who knows the football club, who played for the football club who has the passion needed. He's someone who loves the club and will galvanise everyone, and bring them in the right direction.

"It's Robbie Keane.

"I can't see him leaving Ferencvaros in the middle of the season but why not give it to him on a permanent basis.

"They've tried Jose Mourinho, they've tried Antonio Conte and Thomas Frank. There's a disconnect between the players and the fans and that can't be the case. The situation Spurs are in, they have to be together from top to bottom.

"Whoever comes in has to give the players confidence. Keane can do that."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Thomas Frank's Tottenham spell is over after just eight months.

Tuesday night's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle, who were winless in their previous five matches, ended up being the final straw. Spurs remain without a Premier League victory in this calendar year.

Spurs were booed off by their own supporters at both half-time and full-time of the loss to the Magpies, with chants of 'sacked in the morning' and 'we want Frank out' aimed at the head coach.

Frank arrived in the summer as the popular Ange Postecoglou's replacement following a successful seven-year spell in charge of Brentford. Why did it not work out for him at Spurs?

Tottenham sack head coach Thomas Frank after eight months

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪

Spurs fixtures & scores | FREE highlights▶️

Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱

No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

Fans reject playing style

Tottenham's playing style became a major bone of contention under Frank. His predecessor Postecoglou's high-intensity, attacking ethos may have been flawed, but it did at least give supporters something to get behind. 'Angeball' entertained.

The same cannot be said of Frank's approach.

The Dane insisted his ultimate aim was for Spurs to play free-flowing football, but fans saw little evidence on the pitch.

Their numbers for possession, passing sequences and build-up attacks all plummeted. Instead of pressing opponents and forcing high turnovers, Spurs under Frank seemed happier to sit back and absorb pressure. It all felt reactive rather than proactive.

Stylistically, Spurs profiled similarly to Frank's Brentford as he put more emphasis on long passes and aerials. He prioritised defensive solidity, with little success, and their attack suffered. In their November defeats to rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, Spurs generated a meagre combined total of just 0.17 expected goals.

Frank succeeded in transforming their set-piece threat. Spurs have already scored more goals from dead balls than in the whole of last season. But the apparent lack of intent from open play was difficult for fans to stomach given the club's attacking traditions.

Frank pointed to availability issues, with some justification. But the lack of incision was alarming, with Frank frequently preferring a workmanlike midfield pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, much to the frustration of the club's fans.

Damningly, he departs with Spurs having attempted fewer through balls than any other Premier League side this season.

Home discomforts

It all started so well for Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 3-0 win over Burnley in his first Premier League game in charge in August came after a spirited showing in the European Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. It offered early encouragement about what was to come under the new head coach.

Fast forward six months, though, and Spurs have only added one further Premier League victory from a total of 13 games in front of their own fans. Their home record is the third-worst in the division. Frank tried to avoid the R-word, but it is relegation form.

Their struggles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where fans outwardly turned on Frank on numerous occasions, made it impossible for him to build a connection with those in the stands and ultimately paved the way for his departure.

Spurs' home form actually ranked as the worst in the Premier League relative to their away form, with Spurs taking 0.69 points per game fewer when playing in front of their fans than they did on the road.

Injury issues

Frank was not helped by certain factors beyond his control. Spurs have been dogged by injuries, especially offensively.

Frank was not able to call on James Maddison or Dejan Kulusevski once during his brief tenure. Dominic Solanke also missed a large chunk of the campaign. And when the striker finally returned to action, Spurs lost Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus.

Wilson Odobert became the latest player to fall when he had to be withdrawn in Tuesday's defeat to Newcastle.

Their current absentee list stretches into double figures and features the suspended Cristian Romero as well as the injured Pedro Porro, Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Djed Spence, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies, in addition to the names already mentioned.

The numbers are striking. Spurs have suffered the third-most injuries in the Premier League this season, their total of 43 putting them behind only Chelsea and Arsenal.

They are top, though, when it comes to the number of days lost. Spurs players have missed a cumulative total of 1,302 days of action this season. It all added up to make Frank's task tougher.

That Arsenal cup

Did getting pictured holding an Arsenal cup have any bearing on whether Frank lost his job or not? No. It was a simple mistake. But it did not help his chances of building a relationship with Spurs supporters.

The Spurs boss drinking from a cup branded with the badge of his biggest rivals, who were flying high at the top of the league while his team struggled, was an embarrassing mishap at a sensitive time. Coupled with the fact Spurs went on to lose that game against Bournemouth, it created an unnecessary hurdle for Frank to climb.

Of course, it was an unfortunate accident. But it added to the noise around his position and gave his detractors more ammunition.

Romero's discipline

When you have a player who knows they are walking into your starting line-up, it can sometimes cause more harm than good. For Frank, that sums up the story of Tottenham captain Romero.

So often the Argentine produced huge moments. Game-saving and perhaps, at times, job-saving moments. A crucial double against Newcastle and an equaliser against Burnley added to why he was indispensable at both ends of the pitch.

But for every time Frank had him to thank, he also had a headache to deal with. Romero wears his heart on his sleeve, but too often did that cause the Dane a problem.

On multiple occasions, Frank publicly backed his skipper despite question marks over his future and whether or not he had the right mentality to wear the armband. Any issues were dealt with in-house. What cannot be argued is that Frank protected the player.

How was he repaid? In his final couple of weeks in charge, he had to respond to comments Romero made on social media where he described the state of a 'stretched' Tottenham squad plagued with injuries as disgraceful. Again, he defended the player. Refused to strip him of his captaincy.

That was followed by a reckless sending off against Manchester United days later, ruling him out for the remainder of Frank's tenure. A leader not standing up alongside his team-mates. Instead, leaving them to fight without him.

Perhaps it's the case that Romero's words and actions were the reflection of how Spurs players felt across the squad. In that case, it was always going to be difficult for Frank to turn it around. But, to have your main point of leadership cause you more harm than good is an issue every manager would rather avoid.