We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the starting line-up they reckon Thomas Frank could go for
Spurs are back in action in the FA Cup third round on Saturday with the visit of Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The north London outfit fell to a 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Wednesday night thanks to a last gasp Antoine Semenyo goal. Thomas Frank's side had opportunities to win the game themselves before the hosts' late winner and the Spurs boss will be hoping to take the slightly improved attacking performance at least into the clash with Villa.
Unai Emery's side sit third in the Premier League and will pose a difficult test for Tottenham, especially with their form over the past year in N17.
We asked our Spurs reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the starting line-ups they reckon Frank could select.
Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent
Frank's injury update on Thursday brought bad news for the supporters with Mohammed Kudus out until April with a quad injury, Rodrigo Bentancur set to miss a prolonged period with a hamstring problem and Lucas Bergvall due to be assessed for what appeared to be a reoccurrence of his injury against Crystal Palace.
That leaves Frank with Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha as his only fit central midfielders. At the back, the Spurs boss had a couple of potential changes to make with either or both of Kevin Danso or Ben Davies potentially coming in.
In attack, the Dane needs to leave something on the bench to be able to bring into the game and after a disappointing display at the Vitality Stadium, Randal Kolo Muani could be the man who finds himself relegated among the substitutes.
Gold's XI: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Palhinha, Gray; Tel, Xavi, Odobert; Richarlison.
Ryan Taylor - Sports reporter
Thomas Frank needs to go strong this weekend as it’s clear he’s on thin ice with Tottenham supporters.
Perhaps another trophy is the only thing that can currently save their season. For that reason, I think Vicario starts ahead of Kinsky between the sticks.
Van de Ven needs a rest or he’s going to get injured so I’d pick a back-four of Porro, Danso, Romero and Spence.
In midfield, Gray starts with Palhinha while in attack, I’d go for Tel, Xavi and Odobert behind Richarlison. Randal Kolo Muani will be key from the bench as Spurs’ squad is seriously depleted at the minute.
I’d also be keen to have Luca Williams-Barnett on the bench and I would not be scared to use him.