Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to top the Premier League table with a win over Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Sunday.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs side have the potential to overcome rivals Arsenal, if they manage to hold back the Lions and gain a vital three points.
The last time the pair faced each other was at the end of the 2024/25 season in May, where the Lilywhites left Villa Park with no points after a dismal 2-0 loss – meaning no improvement on league position, and being a contributing factor to former head coach Ange Postecoglou being released by the club at the end of that season.
Prior to that match, Tottenham also lost to Villa 2-1 in an FA Cup fourth round clash in February but won their home league fixture against the Lions with a 4-1 victory.
Now there is a new season, and the early stages of a new head coach at the helm of the club – Thomas Frank will be hoping to make his mark, prove his position and order redemption for the North London side.
If Spurs win on Sunday, they have the potential to be catapulted above rivals Arsenal into the top position in the Premier League – a position that will prove beneficial for setting Frank and his squad into good stead with the fans.
Potential starting XI?
Frank’s side will be entering this clash off the back of the international break, where his squad suffered another devastating blow after Yves Bissouma, who initially looked as if he was gearing up for a return to the starting XI, was stretchered off when representing Mali.
However, the break has had its advantages for some of those currently recovering from injury, with some players either having returned to Hotspur Way for training, or expected to be re-introduced into the squad at some point in the near future.
One of these players is Radu Dragusin, who has been seen training since the international break, although no comment was made regarding the defender's return in the pre-match press conference.
Randal Kolo Muani, who was away with a dead leg but has since featured in Spurs’ behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford, could also be making another appearance for the Lilywhites, according to Frank.
Considering this, there could be some changes to the side who took a 2-1 win away from Leeds United right before the break, however Frank was full of praise for Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, suggesting the pair could be making another feature on Sunday.
How could Spurs play this?
Last time the Lilywhites played in Frank’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, they took the lead courtesy of Tel collecting a cross from Mohammed Kudus along the right wing. Although the shot was deflected in, it was still a display of skill from this attacking combination and highlighted the skills Tel possesses up front – skills which have not gone unnoticed from Frank.
It is highly likely the pair will be reprising their roles as an attacking duo tomorrow.
In the absence of Dominic Solanke, the line up could be switched to a 3-5-2, allowing for a secondary striker to support Tel if he is placed in this position – possibly coming via Richarlison, or maybe even new signing Muani although this could be in the form of a late substitution if Spurs are significantly ahead.
There will also be the need for a strengthened midfield to combat Villa’s own attacking centre.
Lions boss Unai Emery has been known to prefer a 4-2-3-1 formation, so Frank may decide to emulate this and bolster his own defensive lines, keeping the back four from the visit to Leeds and spreading out the midfield in a possible 4-4-2 with a Tel–Richarlison front pairing.
A factor of Frank’s new managerial style is his pragmatic approach to football, with Vicario making long shots to the central midfield who then pass it outwards to get the game moving at a fast pace and provide pressure.
This contrasts with tactics from previous coaches which have mostly revolved around passing through the back – an approach which at times faced criticism for being predictable and enabling defenders to easily intercept play.
Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s match, Frank complimented Villa’s ‘fantastic structure’ and skills in the build-up.
Going on to explain how his Spurs side could challenge this, Frank expressed how he is pleased with the high pressure his current squad can put on their opponents, and the quality of their crossing and opportunity into the box.
Current form
Despite the injuries facing his side at the moment, the Spurs boss said his task is to “get the best out of the squad” he currently has.
Tottenham have won two, drew two, and lost one out of their last five league matches, the same as their opponents, and both went into the international break off the back of a 2-1 victory.
With all that is at possible regarding league position, and the need to set off on the right foot after the international break, tomorrow’s match looks set to be a tense affair.
Possible starting line-up:
Vicario (GK)
Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie
Palhinha, Bentancur, Kudus, Simons
Tel, Richarlison