Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side will be looking to make it three league wins on the trot when they travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa this weekend. Spurs are coming into this fixture on the back of a morale-boosting clean sheet victory against reigning champions Manchester City. Although the Villans are sure to pose a different kind of threat, this Spurs team should have enough firepower to come through unscathed.
Spurs currently find themselves in the sixth place on the league table, with just six points separating them from Arsenal in tenth. While this is a cause for concern, the fact that they’re still only four points off Chelsea in fourth will surely come as motivation to Jose. The Blues are set to face off against Spurs in the next round of league fixtures, in an encounter that promises to have a serious impact on the table itself.
Team News
This fixture seems to have come at the perfect time for Mourinho, who is expecting three players to return to first-team action, after short spells out on the sidelines due to injury. Giovani Lo Celso, Ben Davies and Erik Lamela should all be fit enough to make the squad. Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko are two of Spurs’ big-name absentees at this point, and neither are expected back anytime soon.
4-2-3-1 Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Lineup Vs Aston Villa
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Hugo Lloris’ return from injury is sure to have come as positive news to Mourinho, who has been forced to utilise second-choice shot-stopper Paulo Gazzaniga over recent months. In front of the French international, expect to see the familiar defensive duo of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez. Japhet Tanganga could continue down the flank despite Davies’ timely return from injury, while Serge Aurier is expected to retain his spot at right-back too.
Midfield
Giovani Lo Celso’s transition into a Premier League midfielder has been a gradual process, but he’s finally begun to pay dividends over recent weeks. The Argentine is an excellent carrier of the ball, and will surely have an important part to play in the months ahead. Alongside him, expect to see young Harry Winks operating as the main link between Spurs’ defence and attack lines.
Attack
In the absence of Harry Kane, Lucas Moura will be given the task of fulfilling the false nine role. Although the Brazilian has played in that role in the past, it’s apparent from recent displays that it’s not his best position. The former PSG man will be supported on either side by Son Heung-min and new winter signing Steven Bergwijn, while Dele Alli will be tasked with offering him direct back-up from the number ten slot just in behind.
