All early team news and injury updates as Tottenham Hotspur prepare to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Sunday
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Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa on Sunday as Thomas Frank’s side look to continue their surge up the Premier League table under the Dane.
The north Londoners finished in an unforgivable 17th place last season despite winning the Europa League, in a turbulent campaign marred by long-term injuries to several key players. Frank was given the task of a fresh start for the squad when he arrived in the summer.
While a number of first-team stars have sat on the sidelines at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Frank worked to improve his squad as a whole over the summer so that such injury issues would not be as catastrophic. So that has proven, as Spurs are third in the league after seven matches and just two points off arch-rivals Arsenal at the top.
Spurs face fellow regular European challengers Aston Villa next. The Villans made a poor start to the season but four successive wins in all competitions signified a return to form ahead of the international break, while they have not lost in the Premier League since August. Both sides may see several players return to contention for the match.
Randal Kolo Muani - Doubt
Summer signing Kolo Muani is targeting a return to action against Villa after five matches out with a dead leg. He missed France’s World Cup qualifiers in order to focus on his recovery in north London. The PSG loanee has not appeared in the Premier League but featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford on Friday. Frank has yet to confirm whether he will be back in contention on Sunday.
Dominic Solanke - Out
Fellow striker Solanke has also been out since August with an ankle issue. He had surgery in late September and more information is likely to be known after the international break about a potential return date for the Englishman.
Yves Bissouma - Doubt
Despite not being fit enough to feature for Spurs yet this season, Bissouma was nearing a return to full fitness and decided to join up with his native Mali over the international break. Coming on as a substitute against Madagascar, Bissouma was injured in a challenge after mere seconds and promptly forced off on a stretcher, which could prove a bitter blow for both player and club if he is to endure another period on the sidelines.
Dejan Kulusevski - Out
The Swede has been missed so far this season, despite the impressive exploits of new signing Mohammed Kudus. He underwent patella surgery in May and might be back in action before the end of the year, with his return “hopefully not too far away” according to Frank.
James Maddison - Out
Another creative spark whose loss Spurs were forced to compensate for in their summer transfer business, Maddison injured his ACL in pre-season and may not feature for the entirety of the campaign.
Kota Takai - Doubt
Similarly to Kolo Muani, Takai signed for Spurs in the summer but has spent his early months at the club on the sidelines with a foot injury. The 21-year-old Japanese might be in contention to return to the squad on Sunday.
Radu Dragusin - Doubt
Dragusin injured his ACL back in January and has been on a slow road to recovery ever since. Frank said in late September that it would be “a few weeks before he’s able to be involved”, suggesting Dragusin could be back in action against Villa or later in October otherwise.
Ollie Watkins - Doubt
Aston Villa’s biggest bit of team news ahead of the weekend is the fitness of Ollie Watkins. The England striker was forced off during the Three Lions’ victory over Wales after colliding with the post.
It has since been confirmed that Watkins has been ruled out of Tuesday’s qualifier against Latvia and has returned to Villa for assessment. The extent of his injury is not yet known, but it would be a blow if the Villans were to be without their star striker, who ended his goal drought with a goal against Fulham before scoring for the Three Lions on Thursday.
Youri Tielemans - Out
The Athletic confirmed last week that Tielemans could be out for another five weeks after sustaining a calf injury against Everton on September 13. This comes as a renewed blow for the Belgian, who has already missed six matches for the Villans.
Tyrone Mings - Doubt
Mings is expected to be back in contention after the international break, following an ankle injury which saw the centre-back withdrawn against Fulham. His availability for Sunday has yet been confirmed by Emery.
The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell wrote on X after the injury: “Tyrone Mings expected to return following the international break […] Further tests were undertaken once swelling had reduced.”
Jadon Sancho - Doubt
Villa loanee Sancho was also out with illness before the international break. The former England international has played just eight minutes for his new club in the Premier League and will hope to feature against Spurs.
Emiliano Buendia - Doubt
The Argentine was substituted against Burnley after suffering concussion when he was caught by the arm of Zian Flemming. He will hope to be involved on Sunday, but Villa will have been careful to monitor his condition over the international break.