Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to register their third Premier League win on a trot when they travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa. Spurs are four points off Chelsea in the fourth spot, and after the latest development with Manchester City, maybe even a fifth spot could land them a Champions League place.
Dean Smith and his men have their own agenda as they are just a point above the relegation zone. Hence, they would look to get something out of this game. Villa doesn’t have the best of record against Spurs as they are winless against them in the last eight home Premier League games.
What to expect from Tottenham?
Spurs are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system. Without Harry Kane, they are going to be very reliant on the likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura. However, both of them are at their best when they isolate defenders in one on one situations or get a chance to use their pace. Villa are likely to sit back deep and defend in numbers, so Son and Moura are unlikely to get too much space to use their speed. As often is the case when a top side plays against a team hovering in the relegation zone, the first goal could be crucial, and it could help in opening the game up.
What to expect from Aston Villa?
Dean Smith has found some success in the 3-4-3 formation, and he is likely to stick with it. Without the ball, they will effectively be a back five. January signings Samatta or Baston are in contention to start upfront, and they will need to make sure that they give some out ball to their players. Grealish from the left would understandably be Villa’s most potent threat.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko and Juan Foyth are sure to miss out. Erik Lamela could be assessed closer to the matchday. Giovani Lo Celso has recovered from his slight groin issue.
Predicted Lineup: Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Tanganga; Lo Celso, Winks, Ndombele; Lucas, Son, Bergwijn
Aston Villa
John McGinn, Jed Steer Wesley Moraes and Tom Heaton are expected to miss out. Ezri Konsa and Danny Drinkwater are doubtful for this encounter.
Predicted Lineup: Reina; Hause, Mings, Engels; Guilbert, Nakamba, Luiz, Targett; Grealish, Samatta, El Ghazi
Key Men
Tottenham
Son can change the game within seconds as he is direct in his approach and is capable of the spectacular. Lo Celso has also grown into his role in the last few months, and he has that killer pass in his locker to open up a stubborn defence.
Aston Villa
A lot will depend on how Villa will defend in this game, and Tyrone Mings will have to do his job well in the heart of the defence. He will also need to keep his backline organised. Jack Grealish will undoubtedly be the danger man for Villa while going forward.
Odds
Tottenham Win: 20/23
Aston Villa Win: 31/10
Draw: 14/5
