Desperately seeking their first Premier League win of the season, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The pressure on Roberto De Zerbi intensified in midweek after Spurs’ elimination from the League Cup at the hands of Liverpool. The Lilywhites were beaten 3-1 comprehensively by the Reds at Anfield, leaving them with only the Premier League to focus on until January.
There were some positives from the League Cup defeat to Liverpool that Roberto De Zerbi will want his Tottenham side to build on against fellow strugglers Aston Villa, who have picked up just a solitary point from four games and lie 19th in the table.
Tottenham Team News
De Zerbi confirmed after the Liverpool cup fixture that Pedro Porro will be available for selection at the weekend after missing the last two games with a minor muscle problem. Sandro Tonali was ruled out of the Carabao Cup third-round fixture at Anfield with a knock, but he is available again.
Dejan Kulusevski has returned to full training as he continues his rehab from a serious knee injury. Meanwhile, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain out for the foreseeable future with ACL ruptures.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Antonin Kinsky was given a breather in midweek, with Martin Dubravka making his Tottenham debut against Liverpool. The 23-year-old will return in goal against Aston Villa at the weekend, looking to keep a third clean sheet in a row.
Defence
Pedro Porro should walk straight into the Tottenham lineup after overcoming a minor muscle problem. He will start at right-back, with the experienced Andy Robertson getting the nod over Destiny Udogie at left-back.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven should be fresh to feature against Villa after not featuring on Tuesday. The Dutch duo will be confident of taming a toothless Villa attack at home.
Midfield
While chances are low, given the knock which kept Sandro Tonali out of action in midweek and despite his availability now, Mateus Fernandes might be asked to drop slightly deeper and partner Rodrigo Bentancur in the double pivot.
Fernandes and Bentancur will try to keep things simple and make Spurs tick in the engine room.
With James Maddison not yet 100 per cent fit to start a game, Conor Gallagher is a prime candidate to operate in the No.10 role in the Tottenham lineup. His industry, energy and ball-carrying ability will be key in unlocking the Villa defence.
Lucas Bergvall will be restricted to minutes off the bench after starting against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Attack
Savio and Dominic Solanke are expected to be a part of the Tottenham attack from the off. Savio will replace Mohammed Kudus on the right flank from the Liverpool game, with Solanke leading the hosts’ attack. This leaves one vacant spot on the left wing, and Omar Marmoush appears a strong candidate to fill it.
If Spurs are in need of attacking reinforcements, Mathys Tel, Maddison and Kudus will be strong options to call on from the bench.