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Predicting Unai Emery’s Aston Villa lineup at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
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Aston Villa are on home soil for the final time this season as they play host to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Friday night.
The Villans, full of confidence after navigating two tricky 1-0 victories over Fulham and AFC Bournemouth, know they must beat Spurs under the lights at Villa Park if they are to keep their Champions League flame alight.
Unai Emery’s side, sixth with two games to go, are now outside of the top five on goal difference alone. Beating Spurs could be enough to leapfrog Chelsea and put Champions League football in the palm of their hands, so it’s a pivotal fixture.
Ange Postecoglou’s side, down in 17th place with a record 20 defeats in their 36 matches, are unlikely to pose much of a threat. Spurs will have one eye - if not both eyes - on their upcoming Europa League final as there’s no longer anything for them to play for.
Nonetheless, Villa must guard against complacency and put on a professional display. To give his side the best chance of doing that, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Spurs
GK - Emi Martinez: The two-time Yashin Trophy winner will be delighted to have kept two successive clean sheets and will be eager to make it a hat-trick.
RB - Matty Cash: Locked in and focused, Cash is ahead of Andres Garcia in the pecking order as it stands. The Poland international has been in great form recently.
CB - Ezri Konsa: One of the first names on the team sheet, Konsa has been brilliant throughout 2024/25. The defender will likely keep that status heading into next season.
CB - Tyrone Mings: Brought in for Pau Torres last time out, aerial powerhouse Mings showed why he should be starting ahead of the Spaniard. Based on form, it’s hardly a dilemma at this point.
LB - Ian Maatsen: It’s almost impossible at this point to guess who Emery will opt for at left-back, but we reckon it could be Maatsen rotating in for Lucas Digne as he has more pace to deal with the rapid Brennan Johnson.
CM - Boubacar Kamara: Pivotal to Villa for his strength and command at the base of midfield, Kamara can expect to stay in the lineup. Talks are current ongoing over a new, long-term contract.
CM - Amadou Onana: The Belgian replaced the injured Youri Tielemans against Bournemouth and did well. A dominant and physical pairing at the base of midfield could be effective yet again.
RM - Morgan Rogers: Undroppable, not many players in world football can charge forward on the ball as well as Rogers does. He’ll be eager to end a six-game wait for a goal.
LM - John McGinn: The skipper is probably the most suitable replacement for the now suspended Jacob Ramsey. McGinn doesn’t possess the same pace or flair but he’s effective on the half turn and can still beat a man effectively.
CAM - Marco Asensio: The PSG loanee is perhaps lucky to start as he hasn’t been in the best form since his electric start in claret and blue. He’ll be eager to put that right before the end of the campaign.
ST - Ollie Watkins: Now Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer having nudged ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor, Watkins can be considered a club legend. He’ll be desperate to get to the 100-goal mark.