Two of this season’s surprise packages face off as Tottenham host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have slipped down the table to fourth following successive defeats, while Unai Emery’s men are hot on their heels just one point behind them in fifth.
Here’s everything you need to know about this weekends’ clash.
Tottenham v Aston Villa – Match Preview:
Form
Tottenham: WWWLL
Recent results and injuries to key players have taken some of the shine off Tottenham’s start to the season, but Postecoglou’s men still sit fourth. The Lilywhites are just two points off top and would climb at least one place with a win at the weekend.
Spurs led for 88 minutes at Molineux against Wolves last time out, but walked away empty handed. Brennan Johnson thought he’d secured his side all three points after his first Spurs goal, after three minutes, gave his side a slender lead going into the closing stages.
Wolves would equalise through substitute Pablo Sarabia in stoppage time, before Spurs were dealt a dagger blow on 97 minutes when Mario Lemina scored a dramatic winner.
🎙️ “It’s a hard one to take right at the end. The lads gave everything they could.”
Ange reflects on today’s defeat ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CpPOkVsagt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 11, 2023
Son Heung-min has been one of the league’s standout performers this season since moving to a central position. Only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have scored more than the South Korean’s eight goals.
Spurs will once again be far from full strength as Yves Bissouma joins Cristian Romero on the sidelines with both players suspended.
Summer signings James Maddison and Micky van de Ven are both ruled out until the new year after both went off injured in their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, while Richarlison will sit out after undergoing hip surgery.
Left-back Destiny Udogie has seen out a one-game suspension, but has picked up a muscle problem and is a doubt.
Aston Villa: WWLWW
The Villains are on a remarkable run under Unai Emery and sit just three points behind leaders Manchester City.
Emery’s side sit third in the recent form table, having picked up 10 points from their last five games, including a 3-1 win over Fulham before the international break.
An Antonee Robinson own goal opened the scoring, before captain John McGinn added a second and Ollie Watkins grabbed the third for his sixth league goal of the season. Raul Jimenez netted a consolation for the visitors, but the home side saw out a comfortable win.
Unplayable. 😍@JMcGinn7 recorded more successful dribbles (7) and won more ground duels (15) than any other play during #AVLFUL.
No player has managed more of either in a @PremierLeague match this season. 💪 pic.twitter.com/0PKBofL373
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 14, 2023
One of the keys to Villa’s success this season has been their home form, as they have won all six of their matches in the league at Villa Park. However, their away form is only the 13th best in the division, having won just two matches on the road.
Emery’s side haven’t won away from home in the league since September, when they overcame 10-man Chelsea 1-0, and their only other win away from home came against bottom club Burnley.
The UEFA Conference League outfit could welcome back defender Diego Carlos after he picked up a minor injury against AZ Alkmaar last month, while Jacob Ramsey is set to start first-team training this week.
Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia have both undergone surgery with the pair ruled out for the season after picking up serious injuries earlier on in the campaign.
Last Meeting
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham, May 13th 2023
Only six months have passed since the teams met at the back end of last season when the Villains had won five home games in a row in the Premier League, a record which now stands at 13 and counting.
Both teams were chasing European football. Ryan Mason was in temporary charge of his former club following the departure of Antonio Conte and Harry Kane led the line for the north Londoners.
Villa took an early lead through Jacob Ramsey as the youngster latched onto the end of a Leon Bailey cross to fire home past Fraser Forster.
Midfielder Douglas Luiz doubled the home side’s lead on 72 minutes with a free-kick from 25 yards out which Forster could only palm into the back of his own net.
England captain Kane scored a late penalty, but it was not enough to deny Villa a sixth consecutive home win on their charge for European football.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Dier, Davies, Royal; Hojbjerg, Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Son, Johnson.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans; Diaby, Watkins.
Who is the referee?
Rob Jones.
Is Tottenham v Aston Villa on TV?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event.
USA: USA Network.
What time is kick off?
Sunday 26th November, 14:00 GMT.
Odds
Tottenham – 13/10
Draw – 14/5
Aston Villa – 9/5
