Aston Villa FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Aston Villa with an opportunity to close the gap on Tottenham a place above them
Tottenham to win 1-0
Tottenham have endured one of the worst weeks in their recent history, with defeats in both the Premier League and Europa League halting their progress.
They were disappointing in their loss against close rivals Arsenal last weekend, ending a positive run of three wins on the bounce. However, it was their midweek loss in the Europa League that really caught the eye, losing 3-0 in the second leg after leading 2-0 from the first.
It was a competition in which they had a real chance of winning, and it will be a huge disappointment to their players and fans.
Aston Villa have also shown mixed form since the start of 2021, with just one victory coming from their last six matches. It’s a run which has seen them slip to 9th in the table, after having a shot at the top four not too long ago.
Both sides need improvement here.
Form Guide (all comps): LWLDD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Only City and Chelsea have conceded fewer goals this season
Grealish has an outside chance of being fit here
Reasons to be fearful:
They’ve lost 15 of the last 19 games against Spurs
Only four wins since 26th December
Villa’s season has really petered out over the last couple of months, and while a top half finish would have sounded good before the campaign started, they’ll be somewhat disappointed after challenging for the top four for much of the season.
The still have this game in hand, and three points here would move them to within seven of the top four spots, but Villa’s form hasn’t looked likely enough to do that recently.
Just four wins since Christmas is a poor return, with five defeats coming in that time and the club slipping from 5th to 9th.
They’ve also had to cope without Jack Grealish for their previous five matches. Since 2019, they’ve only won one of seven league games without their captain. He may be fit enough to return here, but either way, other players must improve.
Star Man – Ollie Watkins
As a reward for his excellent form this season, the Villa striker has earned a call-up to the England squad.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Great record against Villa in the Premier League
Mourinho has only lost two of 14 matches against Villa in his career
Reasons to be fearful:
Lost four of their past five away games
Son Heung-Min remains out injured
In a week where Spurs have lost to neighbours Arsenal, and lost one of their best players to injury in Son, they really didn’t want to be on the losing end of one of the shocks of the season in midweek.
Unfortunately, their confidence will have taken a thrashing, and judging by Mourinho’s press conference after the match, their manager has a great deal of work to do to pick them back up again.
However, prior to last weekend, Spurs’ form was showing real progress back towards their best with three successive wins in the league. If they can recover that form here, they might fancy their chances.
Losing Son is a big blow – he’s their main player to run in behind opponents and is so crucial in counterattacks.
They still have enough to win this, however.
Star Man – Harry Kane
Harry Kane has over 20 goals yet again, however needs more support from his teammates.
Can Spurs respond after terrible week?
Grealish can boost Villa if he plays
Both sides to create chances
This is a game that both sides could do with winning.
Neither are favourites anymore to finish in a European spot, but they can certainly set themselves up for a good end to the season with a positive result here.
Whether or not Jack Grealish is fit for Villa could play a huge part in the outcome, but Spurs are slight favourites.
Tottenham to win 1-0
