Aston Villa FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Aston Villa FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Away from the title chase at the top of the table, and one of the tightest relegation battles for years at the bottom, there is also a tasty race for European places going on with a number of teams well placed.

Aston Villa are one of those clubs, vying to bring European football back to Villa Park for the first time in over 20 years. They have faltered a little of late, however, losing their last two and slipping to 8th.

Unai Emery’s men have enjoyed some fantastic results this season since the Spaniard’s appointment, and it would be disappointing to miss out on a top seven finish at this late stage.

Three points ahead of them are Tottenham in 6th, who banished a poor spell of form to claim victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.

It was their first win in five, not to mention Ryan Mason’s first as caretaker manager, and gives them renewed hope of a top five finish if they avoid slip-ups.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Aston Villa FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won their last five at Villa Park

     Scored 10 goals without conceding in their last five home games

Reasons to be fearful:

     Form has dropped lately with two defeats

     European hopes could end with defeat

Aston Villa fans have been left wondering what could have happened if they had sacked Steven Gerrard and brought in Unai Emery sooner?

The change in performance levels and results have been remarkable since the former Villarreal and PSG manager came in.

That’s not to say that everything has been rosy under the Spaniard – they’ve lost six league games under him this season, including the last two, and their high performance levels have dipped somewhat.

They have, of course, won their last five games at home and will expect a response in front of their own fans here. Villa have had a knack of starting games strongly and grabbing an early lead in recent times.

Emery has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from here.

Star Man – Ollie Watkins

After netting 11 in 13 games, he’s now gone four without a goal. Watkins has been superb under Emery, and you wouldn’t bet against him rediscovering his form here at Villa Park.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won their last eight away games against Aston Villa

     Win would ensure they finish at least 7th this season

Reasons to be fearful

     Lost to Villa earlier this season

     Just one clean sheet from their last 10

This game is crucial in determining where Tottenham will finish this season. They need to finish as high up as possible to provide European football for their fans next season.

A win would all but ensure that they finish in at least 7th this season, with Villa a full six points behind and a weaker goal difference. Defeat, however, would mean things are in the balance and they could miss out completely.

Their narrow victory over Crystal Palace was the first time they’ve kept a clean sheet in 10 games, although their fans won’t be confident of doing the same here against a Villa side that are rampant at home.

They do have an excellent record at Villa Park, it has to be said. Spurs have won each of their last eight away meetings with Villa in all competitions.

Star Man – Harry Kane

Kane always steps up when Tottenham need him most and his goal against Palace last week gave them their first win in five. He’s two short of 30 for the season.