Tottenham Hotspur is set to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in a critical clash that could have significant implications for European qualification. Both managers, Ange Postecoglou and Unai Emery, are eager to secure valuable points as they look to recover from disappointing results last weekend.
Aston Villa suffered a frustrating last-minute draw against Bournemouth, having taken the lead but failing to maintain it. This result prevented them from overtaking Arsenal for third place in the Premier League standings. Meanwhile, Tottenham allowed Crystal Palace to claim their first victory of the season, leaving them in eighth place. Both teams finished the previous season in the top five, and they’ll be keen to regain their competitive edge as the season progresses.
Injuries are a concern for both squads, complicating their pursuit of all three points. Consequently, Postecoglou and Emery will need to make strategic decisions to optimize their lineups for this crucial match. Let’s take a closer look at how both teams might set up for this encounter.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Tottenham’s defense faces challenges ahead of the match. While the team secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the League Cup earlier this week, they lost defender Micky van de Ven to a hamstring strain just 15 minutes into the game. Van de Ven’s absence is a significant blow, as he has been a key player alongside Cristian Romero in the backline. His injury could pave the way for Radu Dragusin to step in.
In addition to Van de Ven, Wilson Odobert is also sidelined due to an injury sustained in a prior League Cup match against Coventry City. Djed Spence is expected to be unavailable as well. Romero’s participation remains uncertain, with Postecoglou indicating he has a chance to play, but if he can’t go, Ben Davies may need to fill in at center-back. Up front, Son Heung-min and Timo Werner are both facing late fitness tests.
In his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou provided an update on the team’s fitness. “Micky has a strained hamstring, which isn’t too serious, but he’ll likely be out until after the international break. Sonny has trained and, if he continues to progress, he should be fit for the weekend. Timo and Cristian are still being assessed,” he stated.
Predicted Starting XI for Tottenham Hotspur
Given the current injury situation, Tottenham’s predicted lineup for the match against Aston Villa could look like this:
Goalkeeper: Vicario
Defenders: Porro, Dragusin, Romero, Udogie
Midfielders: Sarr, Kulusevski, Maddison
Forwards: Johnson, Solanke, Son
Substitutes might include: Forster (GK), Gray (DEF), Davies (DEF), Bentancur (MID), Bergvall (MID), Moore (FW), Richarlison (FW), and Bissouma (MID).
With Van de Ven out, Dragusin will have the chance to prove himself alongside Romero, while Pape Mate Sarr is anticipated to feature prominently in midfield, having shown strong form recently. If Son is fit to play, he will likely lead the attack on the left, taking the place of Timo Werner or Mikey Moore.
Conclusion
As both teams aim to secure a pivotal victory in the race for European football, the match promises to be intense and closely contested. With injuries affecting key players, the tactical choices made by Postecoglou and Emery will be crucial. Fans can expect a fiercely competitive game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Sunday.