Ange Postecoglou faces three massive calls for Tottenham Europa League final lineup vs Man Utd

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After tonight Tottenham's full focus will be on the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday.

Spurs take on Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Friday night in their penultimate league clash of what has been a dismal campaign.

Tottenham have nothing to play for in the Premier League, apart from a bit of pride and perhaps a few million pounds when it comes to finishing places in the top flight. Twenty defeats in the Premier League is Spurs' worst record in any campaign and with matches against Villa and Brighton on the final day to come, it could get even worse.

But Spurs' priority is winning the Europa League against Manchester United on Wednesday night and ending their 17-year trophy drought.

Ange Postecoglou will have to beat United without a number of key players, though, in particular in the midfield. James Maddison was already ruled out before Dejan Kulusevski picked up an injury that needs surgery to address. Lucas Bergvall has been ruled out by Postecoglou, although the teenager is understood to be doing everything he can to make the final.

Here football.london takes a look at the key decisions the Spurs head coach will have to make for his final lineup.

Who plays in the 10?

This is the biggest question of all.

With both Maddison and Kulusevski now ruled out, who takes on the No.10 role? Lucas Bergvall would be the most obvious choice, were he not injured as well.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Villa clash, Postecoglou said: "No, it is still the same sort of timeframe. He was never a long-term one but he has literally just got out of the boot and taken his first tentative steps on the grass but he won’t be available."

Wilson Odobert was tried there when Kulusevski went off injured against Crystal Palace, but did not shine. Rodrigo Bentancur or Pape Matar Sarr could be utilised in there, while Postecoglou refused to dismiss rumours that he could throw a curveball and use either Pedro Porro or Dominic Solanke in the role.

Right-back choice

This would seem an obvious choice, with Djed Spence struggling a bit of late and Pedro Porro showcasing all of his qualities.

But it is those qualities on the ball and his eye for a pass that may make this an interesting dilemma for Postecoglou.

As we mentioned above, Porro has been touted for the No.10 role and should that surprise decision bear fruit, Spence would be the automatic choice to play at right-back.

"I think it's all in the realms [of possibility]," Postecoglou said when asked about Porro or Solanke being the choice for the No.10.

"When you're in this position you go through all the different scenarios. A lot of it will depend on seeing how we get through tomorrow night [at Aston Villa], see how people get through the game."

Son Heung-min decision

It's like the Champions League final of 2019 all over again.

Back then it was whether Harry Kane would come straight back into the team following injury after Lucas Moura's semi-final heroics. Mauricio Pochettino made the decision to go with Kane, but Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

Now, captain and talisman Son Heung-min is working his way back from injury. Does he start in Bilbao, or does Postecoglou go with Odobert or Mathys Tel instead?

Son got 32 minutes against Palace on Sunday and will play some part against Villa on Friday night. Postecoglou said: "He'll definitely play tomorrow. Whether we start him or not, we’ll have a look at, but he reacted well to playing the other day. There were no issues with his foot, he’s trained well and it makes sense for him to get more match-minutes. It could be as a starter and if not, he’ll definitely play at least half a game tomorrow."

The big decision then comes as to whether he starts against United or makes an appearance off the bench in the final.