Spurs Odyssey Premier League match preview

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. Last season's game - Aston Villa 2 Spurs 0, 16.05.25

. This season's home game - Spurs 1 Aston Villa 2, 19.10.25

. Premier League Matchday 35 - last year

. See the current injury list for all Premier League Teams

. All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here!

Full Record of Spurs -v- Aston Villa

Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts Home 31 15 7 9 50 -35 52 Away 30 11 8 11 41 -33 41 ====================================== Total(Prem) 61 26 15 20 91 -68 93 1.52 Pts per game ====================================== Football Lge Home (Div 1) 47 25 6 16 99 -77 62 Away (Div 1) 47 17 11 19 72 -75 48 ====================================== Total(Div 1) 94 42 17 35 171 -152 110 ======================================= Football Lge Home (Div 2) 2 1 1 0 4 - 3 3 Away (Div 2) 2 0 1 1 1 - 3 1 ====================================== Total(Div 2) 4 1 2 1 5 - 6 4 ====================================== Total(Prem) 61 26 15 20 91 -68 93 Total(Div 1) 94 42 17 35 171-152 110 Total(Div 2) 4 1 2 1 5 - 6 4 ====================================== Grand Total 159 69 34 56 267-226 207 1.3 Pts per game ====================================== Last Six Premier League results:- A. Villa - LLWDWL A. Villa 1-4 Chelsea Man Utd 3-1 A. Villa A. Villa 2-0 West Ham Nottm Fst 1-1 A. Villa A. Villa 4-3 S'derland Fulham 1-0 A. Villa Spurs - LDLLDW Spurs 1-3 C. Palace Liverpool 1-1 Spurs Spurs 0-3 Nottm Fst S'derland 1-0 Spurs Spurs 2-2 Brighton Wolves 0-1 Spurs Pos P W D L F-A GD Pts 5. A. Villa 34 17 7 10 47-42 5 58 18. Spurs 34 8 10 16 43-53 -10 34

Mission - not impossible?

Thanks to Eugene Gasper for this picture

Robert de Zerbi's mission with four games remaining is to gain sufficient points to lift Spurs out of the bottom three, and to ensure a 50th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. If he fails, his squad might self-destruct at the end of the season.

It is hard to believe that in May last year when we played this fixture, both teams were challenging for the Champions League. Villa beat us 2-0, but lost their last game at Old Trafford to miss out on a Champions League place on (substantial) goal difference. Spurs beat Manchester United in their next game which was the Europa League final, thus gaining their Champions League place.

This year, United (currently third) look likely to regain entry to the elite European competition. Villa are fighting again for a Champions League on two fronts. They sit in fifth place in the league, eight points above their closest challengers Brighton. Our match (moved to Sunday night at 7pm on TNT) comes between the two legs of Villa's Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest, who are currently five points ahead of us, but not yet out of the relegation battle. Our match was originally planned for Saturday lunchtime.

Villa lost 1-0 at Forest's City ground last night and with the second leg to be played next Thursday, we must hope that Unai Emery will make adjustments to his side in preparation for such a big match. On those terms, and bearing in mind Villa's recent inconsistent league form, perhaps Roberto's mission to get something from this game is not impossible. A point, at least, is desirable.

Spurs, of course, have been further hampered by a season ending injury to Xavi Simons at Molineux last week, and potentially the same situation (although a less serious injury) with Dominic Solanke. It means we still have at least seven players out through injury, plus James Maddison, who seems fit for cheerleader and morale duties only. Sarr, Udogie and Vicario missed last week's game and might still not be fit. (This preview is being posted before the official team news) Who else has had to cope with injury levels on the scale of Tottenham Hotspur over the last two seasons?

Tammy Abraham, who played on loan for Villa in the 2018/19 season, was signed from Besiktas in January, having previously spent three seasons with Roma. Abraham has made just one Premier League start plus 10 as substitute and with a very slight touch, scored Villa's winning goal in their recent 4-3 win over Sunderland.

Ollie Watkins has been in top form recently, scoring seven goals in his last nine games for Villa. Morgan Rogers, Buendia and McGinn remain a threat to any defence.

None of the last 21 Premier League matches between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been drawn (14 Spurs wins, 7 Villa wins) since a 1-1 stalemate in May 2012. Villa have won five of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs (L2). Previously, Spurs had won six of the seven Premier League meetings between the clubs. Spurs have eight wins from their previous ten Premier League visits to Villa Park, losing the other two.

Micky van de Ven was our captain for our last two Premier League wins - away to Wolves and on December 28th, away to Crystal Palace. Let's hope he can manage a third on Sunday. I'll say it's not impossible, but I am more hopeful of a draw. I expect Lucas Bergvall to start in place of Xavi, and Richarlison to lead the line.

Sam Barrott referees Spurs for the sixth time since we first encountered him in the middle in January 2024. Mr. Barrott has been in charge of 21 Premier League games this season and had charge of Villa's last win against Sunderland.

Please note that due to personal commitments the Spurs Odyssey match report (by Declan Mulcahy) is likely to be delayed.

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