Tottenham vs Aston Villa analysis: Four key battles and score prediction

Tottenham are set to host high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday in an important game in the race for the Premier League top four.

Both teams had Carabao Cup fixtures in midweek, with Tottenham impressive in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City while Villa were disappointingly eliminated at home to Crystal Palace.

In last season’s league matches between these two, it was the away side who came out on top as Villa won a tight game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Spurs put four past Emery’s side at Villa Park.

Ahead of this weekend’s match, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea takes a look at four key battles that are likely to define the clash in London.

Ollie Watkins vs Cristian Romero

Despite Jhon Duran's electric form, Unai Emery continues to opt for Ollie Watkins from the off. As a result, although Duran scored in Villa’s midweek defeat to Palace, Watkins is expected to start again in North London.

Watkins, to be fair, is a terrific striker who has five goals this season. He works hard from the front for his team, never gives the defenders a chance to switch off, and can be a deadly creator to boot. Moreover, under Unai Emery, the Englishman is sure to keep improving.

Watkins, a boyhood Arsenal fan, has scored twice against Spurs in his career and will want to add to that tally this weekend as well as keep Duran out the side.

Centre-back Romero will be without his usual partner Micky van de Ven due to a hamstring injury picked up in midweek, but the World Cup-winning defender needs no help on his day. He famously pocketed Watkins last season at Villa Park when Spurs claimed a 4-0 win, although he did have the assistance of Van de Ven that day.

Tottenham will have to switch it up this time, and in Dragusin they have an able deputy for Romero, as evidenced by Wednesday’s victory over Manchester City. Nevertheless, Romero will have to be on his A-game to keep Villa’s attackers quiet.

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John McGinn vs Yves Bissouma

John McGinn is a quintessential 7/10 player every week for Villa whose chief contribution to the cause is the sheer distance he covers each game.

A firm fan-favourite around Villa Park, McGinn’s work rate is terrific and has helped him through all the bad times at Aston Villa. He may not be the quickest or strongest, but McGinn has an invaluable football brain that Emery utilises to great effect.

And while he has not scored or assisted in the league yet, the Scotsman did get on the scoresheet in the Champions League.

Yves Bissouma has not been a mainstay in Ange Postecoglou’s midfield but, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr equally as interchangeable, the Mali international could be the man selected this weekend as he has the legs for a wide game.

Typically known for breaking up play and restarting attacking movements, Bissouma has chipped in with a couple of useful goals this season, perhaps finally proving his pedigree in the face of last season’s questions.

In the end, if he is selected this weekend, Bissouma will need to bring all his energy in order to keep Villa quiet in the midfield battle that so often decides these types of games.

Dominic Solanke vs Pau Torres

Dominic Solanke has had an indifferent start to his Tottenham career with it just two goals in the league so far for Spurs’ record signing. Worryingly, he is without a goal since the 3-0 win at Old Trafford, although Postecoglou has seen fit to persist with him.

In the absence of Heung-Min Son, Solanke needs to grab himself some goals so he can make a case to remain in the team when Son returns. He is a quality striker whose strength and movement could cause problems for the Villa defence this weekend.

Pau Torres, in contrast, has played every minute of Villa’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures this season alongside either Diego Carlos or Ezri Konsa. With an 85% tackle success rate in the league, the Spaniard has proven to be a strong component of the Villa defence this term.

Rarely bullied and with the height and strength to match, Torres will look to contain Solanke in London, with it sure to be an intriguing battle between the two.

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Ange Postecoglou vs Unai Emery

This game will be the third meeting between the two managers with it currently one win apiece.

Ange Postecoglou has a few injury issues to worry about, with Van de Ven, Heung-Min Son, and Wilson Odobert all set to miss out. To make matters worse, Tottenham have been quite inconsistent this season. Following up a defeat to winless Crystal Palace at the weekend with a victory over unbeaten Manchester City in midweek is telling in this regard.

As a result, it is difficult to know which Spurs team will turn up this weekend. If the wrong side turns up, it could be a difficult day for Ange and his side. On the plus side, their home form is strong – Arsenal being the only blemish on that record – with many teams struggling to match Spurs’ pace and the energy of the home crowd.

Unai Emery’s side have been very consistent this season, again, despite having Champions League football to contend with. They have, however, leaked goals at times in the league and are yet to keep a clean sheet. Nevertheless, they find themselves level on points with Arsenal.

Villa have shown a fighting spirit in comebacks against Wolves and Everton, so they will not go down without trying. As a club, they clearly have that feel-good factor, thanks primarily to Unai Emery, and will be confident of leaving London with something.

Score prediction: Tottenham 3-2 Aston Villa