Aston Villa can keep their hopes of a top-six finish alive on Saturday, with a home win over Tottenham Hotspur. Villa are three points off sixth place which is occupied by Spurs.
A seventh-place finish could even provide Aston Villa with a place in next season’s Conference League.
Emery on Spurs: “They have had some problems, but they have very good players.“Of course, we will respect them but we have to believe in our tactical way.”That’s all for now, the full presser will be available soon. 🟣 #AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/xZoioRpqZ4— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 11, 2023
Emery on Spurs: “They have had some problems, but they have very good players.“Of course, we will respect them but we have to believe in our tactical way.”That’s all for now, the full presser will be available soon. 🟣 #AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/xZoioRpqZ4
Unai Emery’s team has a lot to play for. Unfortunately for Villa’s European qualification hopes, they are on a two-match losing streak.
Spurs can still qualify for the Champions League. However, they are six points off fourth-place Manchester United. A loss to Villa on Saturday and a Manchester United win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Tottenham’s top-four hopes will be extinguished.
Aston Villa went to London and won 2-0 earlier this season. Emery led a masterclass on the day, as the Villains scored twice in the second half through Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz to win. Aston Villa outshot Spurs 13-6 on the day.
Tottenham took just seven points from their last six matches. A 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace a week ago ended a four-match winless run. Tottenham are woeful on the road.
They failed to win any of their last six away matches. Spurs are on a two-game losing streak away from home.
Aston Villa picked up 10 points from the last six matches. Defensively the team was solid, conceding just three times. However, Villa were held to 1-0 defeats in each of their last two Premier League matches.
The Villains play well at Villa Park. They are on a five-game winning streak at home. This season, Villa scored 29 goals and conceded 19 in 17 home fixtures.
Spurs interim manager Ryan Mason has four players in the treatment room. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is out with a groin strain. Wing-back Ryan Sessegnon is out with a thigh issue.
Rodrigo Bentancur is ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Clement Lenglet could return from a shoulder issue.
Emery could have full-back Matty Cash available following a calf injury. Back-up goalkeeper Jed Steer is out with a leg injury.
Ollie Watkins leads Villa in goals with 14 in the Premier League. No other Villa player has scored more than five.
Spurs striker Harry Kane scored in each of his last two appearances. He got the winner at Crystal Palace a week ago. Kane has 26 Premier League goals this season. In 12 matches against Villa, Kane has seven goals.
Tottenham are struggling on the road, while Villa are on a five-match home winning streak. The Villains should find a way to defeat Spurs, winning 3-1 at Villa Park.