BBC

This will be the first meeting between Tottenham and Villarreal in European competition, with Spurs winning just one of their last 13 matches against Spanish opposition in major European competition (D5 L7).

Villarreal have played 14 matches against English opponents in the UEFA Champions League and are still looking for their first victory (D6 L8), while losing each of the last seven in a row. Over half of their defeats in the competition have been against English opposition (57% - 8/14).

This will be third time that Villarreal have played their opening game of a UEFA Champions League campaign against an English side (out of five seasons). The previous two were both against Manchester United and both finished 0-0, in 2005-06 and 2008-09.

Tottenham have only won their opening game of a European Cup/UEFA Champions League campaign in two of their seven attempts (D2 L3). However, those two have arrived on the last two occasions where they have played their opener at home: 2-0 v Marseille in 2022-23 and 3-1 v Borussia Dortmund in 2017-18.

Villarreal’s last match in the UEFA Champions League came in the semi-finals of the 2021-22 edition, losing 2-5 on aggregate to Liverpool. The Spaniards won three of their six away games in that campaign (D1 L2), more than they managed in 14 away matches across their three previous appearances in this competition (W2 D5 L7).

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank will take charge of a team in the UEFA Champions League for the first time – in fact, his only previous experience of managing in European competition came in qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, winning just three of 10 matches with Brøndby IF (D4 L3).

Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze has been directly involved in seven goals in eight starts in major European competition to date (four goals, three assists), with all of those coming for Lyon in the UEFA Europa League last season.

Randal Kolo Muani could feature for a fourth different team (Tottenham) in the UEFA Champions League since the start of 2022-23, having previously appeared for Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris SG and Juventus. No active Champions League player has played for as many as four different teams in this period.

Villarreal defender Juan Foyth made his UEFA Champions League debut for Tottenham back in December 2017 (v APOEL Nicosia). Indeed, the Argentinean remains the youngest player to start a home game for the club in the competition (19y 328d in that match).

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has said he is "very happy" at the club and he "never" expressed his desire to leave, despite being heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid over the summer.

The 27-year-old Argentina centre-back had criticised the club's board for a lack of investment last season and posted a cryptic message supporting departing manager Ange Postecoglou and the "many obstacles" he overcame just an hour after Thomas Frank was appointed as his replacement.

However, Frank named Romero as his captain and he signed a new four-year deal in August to keep him at the club until 2029.

"I never said I wanted to leave the club," the World Cup winner said in a pre-match news conference before Spurs' Champions League opener against Villarreal on Tuesday.

"Nothing came from me in that effect. It is important what the manager and president say.

"I am very happy here, it is like a family. I like the manager. I like the way we work, the way we train. Always things can improve but I think everyone here at all levels are taking the right steps to improve. I am very happy here."

On the team's performances so far under Frank, Romero added: "We always focus on our jobs and our work. We have a great manager. We have a great defensive coach. We always want to improve.

Frank confirmed Dominic Solanke is "not ready to be involved" but is "taking steps in the right direction so that's positive".

Randal Kolo Muani is available: "If we needed him to play, he could play 90 minutes, but can he play at the intensity and the level that we want? But he's ready and he'll be involved, so that's the most important thing."

On managing his first game in the Champions League, Frank said: "It's a fantastic opportunity and experience. It's a big thing. I'm hugely looking forward to it. I know it'll be special when we have that Champions League anthem playing. Now it's preparation, there's a few more cameras, but it's business as usual."

More on his personal story: "I was manager of Brentford in the Championship at Griffin Park, a small, compact stadium, and on Tuesday we're playing in one of the best stadiums in the world, in front of our own fantastic fans. It's a European night and we know they'll be absolutely on it. It'll be so special."

On how far can Spurs go in Europe: "I believe I have a fantastic squad and we would like to go as far as possible. I think the most important thing is that it's one game at a time."

Post

Tottenham Hotspur v Villarreal (20.00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Thomas Frank says he is "very proud" to manage Spurs in the Champions League.

We will have full quotes from him and Cristian Romero shortly.

Familiar faces in the Villarreal squad

Tottenham v Villarreal (Tue, 20:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tuesday's game will also see Tottenham renew acquaintances with Argentina defender Juan Foyth, who joined Villarreal in October 2020 initially on loan.

The 27-year-old is one of several former Premier League players in the Villarreal squad, including ex-Arsenal pair Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe, with the latter scoring twice in their four league games so far.

Former Newcastle and Leicester forward Ayoze Perez is also with 'the Yellow Submarine', while Israel winger Manor Solomon is permitted to play against his parent club having just joined Villarreal on a season-long loan from Spurs.

Solanke misses training - reports

Tottenham v Villarreal (Tue, 20:00 BST)

Evening Standard

Dominic Solanke again missed training for Tottenham today, according to the Standard.

The England striker has been out with an ankle injury after coming off the bench as a late substitute in last month's 2-0 win at Manchester City.

The 28-year-old also had a problem with his ankle in pre-season.

If he is ruled out for Tuesday's game then Richarlison could start up front against Villarreal. The Brazil striker came off the bench in Saturday's win at West Ham after returning late from international duty, with Mathys Tel having started in the middle of a front three.

Frank and Romero to speak at media conference

Tottenham Hotspur v Villarreal (20.00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

We will be hearing from Spurs manager Thomas Frank and captain Cristian Romero from around 15.30 BST today.

They will be previewing their opening Champions League fixture against Villarreal, plus providing team news updates and answering other Spurs related questions.

Frank prepares for first-ever Champions League game

Tottenham v Villarreal (Tue, 20:00 BST)

Tuesday's game will be Thomas Frank's first in the main competition of a European tournament.

The Danish boss was in charge for Tottenham's European Super Cup defeat by Paris St-Germain last month and previously led Brondby to the third qualifying round of the Europa League in 2014-15.

Tottenham are guaranteed at least eight games in the league phase of this season's Champions League, which will be a measure of whether Spurs can keep building under Frank after his predecessor Ange Postecoglou led them to Europa League glory last season.

When did Spurs last play in Europe?

Tottenham v Villarreal (Tue, 20:00 BST)

Tottenham qualified for the Champions League after winning last season's Europa League, which also set up a clash with Champions League winners Paris St-Germain for the European Super Cup on 13 August.

Spurs looked set to lift the trophy in Udine after centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero scored either side of half-time, but Lee Kang-In pulled a goal back for PSG on 85 minutes before Goncalo Ramos made it 2-2 deep into stoppage time.

The game went straight to a penalty shootout and although Vitinha fired wide from the opening spot-kick, Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failed to convert for Spurs as PSG clinched a 4-3 win on penalties.

Who started Spurs' last Champions League match?

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's most recent Champions League match came on 8 March 2023, where they drew 0-0 at home to AC Milan in their round of 16 second-leg fixture. As a result, Spurs lost 1-0 on aggregate.

Of the starting XI, just three players remain at the club - captain Cristian Romero, defender Ben Davies and forward Dejan Kulusevski.

get involved

Get Involved - how far can Spurs go in the Champions League?

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Tottenham fans, we want to hear from you.

You have seen the first few games of the Thomas Frank era, and you know what fixtures lie ahead in the Champions League group stage.

How far do you think you can go in Europe's premier competition? What kind of run in the Champions League would you be happy with?

Send us your thoughts using the 'Get Involved' button at the top of the page.

How Spurs returned to the Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur v Villarreal (20.00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign - and they reached it in unconventional style.

Tottenham finished down in 17th place in the Premier League, scoring only 38 points and losing 22 of their 38 league games.

It was a different story in Europe however, as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final. Winning that competition ensured their qualification for this season's Champions League.

No side has ever qualified for Europe's top club competition while finishing so low in their domestic league that season.

When are the matches?

All kick-off times BST

Champions League

Matches are spread across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the opening two gameweeks of the Champions League, before the other European competitions start.

That means some unusual scheduling, which is a topic that has angered many fans of the six Premier League clubs taking part.

Here are the games this week featuring Premier League sides...

Tuesday

Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal - 17.45

Tottenham Hotspur v Villarreal - 20.00

Wednesday

Bayern Munich v Chelsea - 20.00

Liverpool v Atletico Madrid - 20.00

Thursday

Manchester City v Napoli - 20.00

Newcastle v Barcelona - 20.00

The Champions League is back!

Champions League

Fire up the George Frideric Handel, because European football's top club competition returns this week.

As last season, we will have full live text coverage, radio commentary and video highlights from the Champions League here for you on BBC Sport.

Here's what we have to look forward to on matchday one...

It cannot be disputed that Spurs are in a far stronger financial and infrastructural state thanks to Levy.

Forbes values Tottenham at $3.3bn (£2.25bn) - ranking them inside the top 10 most valuable clubs on the planet.

The stadium is the envy of the world, while the training ground is excellent - so much so that England use the facility when they are in town.

From that perspective, Levy's reign has been a resounding success.

Of course, football success, certainly for supporters, isn't measured on those parameters and the trophy haul under Levy's watch left plenty to be desired.

Two in nearly 25 years is a poor outcome for a club of Spurs' stature.

Levy's reputation for a reluctance to spend big in the transfer market is, for many, at the root of the club's on-pitch failures over the years. It is hard to absolve Levy of any blame.

Up until recently, his reluctance to meet Crystal Palace's conditions for Eberechi Eze saw Spurs lose out on the England international to Arsenal.

Of course, we don't know how much influence de facto owner Joe Lewis had on the apparent hesitancy to spend heavily on transfer fees. But to stay at the top, you have to push the boundaries of spending - Spurs, under Levy, didn't do that.

Will that change now with Levy gone and Lewis' involvement at Tottenham minimal? Well, the younger generation of the Lewis family, who will take the reins from Joe - the patriarch - are making all the right noises.

They say their priority is sporting success. Those are encouraging soundbites and if those promises are delivered then Tottenham could well compete for the top prizes.

As ever with these things, though, the proof will be in the pudding.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Bill: Weak and naive and at the back, slow in midfield and our striker on the bench. It's hard to understand Graham Potter's tactics, let alone his strategy for the club. This is relegation form that has to change very quickly. Potter may be gone soon - his time is surely up?

Mark: Woeful defending for all three goals. Midfield are far to slow and no out-and-out attacker again. Potter hasn't a clue - time to get rid and get either Jose Mourinho or Nuno Espirito Santo in. But, the board won't do that because they like yes men.

Darren: I was optimistic about the appointment of Potter and wanted to give him time. But enough is enough - we are in a relegation battle. Our defensive frailties are clearly visible and he has no answers. Another dreadful performance, despite a bright first 20 minutes.

Dave: Another gutless, spineless performance under the direction of a clueless manager.

Spurs fans

Brian: Definite signs of improvement in this young squad with huge potential. Bergvall was a shining light, but so many positives to take from the game. Considering the injury list, players still getting up to fitness and learning the way Thomas Frank plays, I have high hopes for the team.

Matt: Positive early signs. Bit 'Spursy' in our result against Bournemouth but a good bounce back, especially after the international break. I feel we are starting to resemble a squad with depth. Lots of options for the season ahead.

Barry: When is a goal not a goal - when the correct decision is too difficult for the officials to have the courage to take it (this also applies to subsequent penalty appeal). But, justice was done.

Tottenham spoiled Everton's first match at Goodison Park since it became their permanent home by comprehensively beating them with the help of a stunning debut goal for Cathinka Tandberg.

The Toffees had hoped to begin the start of a new era at the iconic stadium, allocated to them following the men's relocation to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool's waterfront.

But, on a miserable and windy day on Merseyside, Brian Sorensen's side struggled to get going and were unable to mark the historic occasion with a win.

Tottenham's constant pressure paid off when Olga Ahtinen scored in the 27th minute, nipping the ball away from Rion Ishikawa and playing a one-two with Tandberg before slotting past Courtney Brosnan.

Tandberg then stunned the 6,473-strong crowd on 49 minutes when she spotted Brosnan off her line, lobbing her from 40-yards out with a sweet strike that nestled in the bottom corner.

Everton improved in the second half but had already given themselves a huge hurdle to overcome and ultimately failed to conjure a single shot on target.

Goodison Park is the biggest dedicated women's stadium in the country but many areas have been covered with branding for the women's team. Everton are keen to make the stadium more intimate having taken on a ground with a previous capacity of 39,572.

Talk prior to the match centred on this being a historic occasion for Everton women - the beginning of a new era with Goodison Park as their permanent home.

The words 'Goodison Park - The home of Everton Women' adorn the Bullens Road Stand, the walls of the corridors and the flags that line the streets surrounding this iconic sporting venue.

The flow of fans through the ground has been altered, with the fan park open throughout the match, and the club will trial allowing alcohol in the stands after securing a licence.

Tickets for the Leasowe Pacific Lounge - Goodison's hospitality lounge - sold out with a bottomless brunch experience on offer including all-day food and dessert stations accompanied by unlimited drinks.

Many of the 39,572 seats inside Goodison have been removed with season ticket holders for the men's team afforded the opportunity to buy their seat.

New seats have replaced those in areas occupied by supporters of women's matches. But the Main Stand's top balcony, the Upper Bullens Road Stand and the upper tier of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End are instead covered in Everton's women's team branding.

New flags with the faces of the women's team drape across the Gwladys Street End while some traditions remain the same, one being the familiar sound of 'Z-Cars' still played before kick-off.

It is hoped that this new era will coincide with significant improvements on the pitch with nine new players coming in over the summer.

Sorensen's program notes discussed the Grand Old Lady holding "a bright future" for his side but, in truth, Everton struggled to get going in the first match at their new home.

Undoubtedly they would have liked to produce a glittering performance to set their tenancy off on the right foot.

But they were ultimately flat and did not give the expectant crowd much to cheer.

Katja Snoeijs saw her effort blocked at the end of the first half before Ruby Mace's heavily deflected effort was parried away by Lize Kop.

While it may take time for Everton to adjust to their new surroundings, a loss in their opening match here will not do much to aid that process.

"The club has done a magnificent job. It looks like our home and looks good so I'm happy for women's football in this part of England that we have a platform here." Sorensen said.

"We want to do better, I don't know if it was the occasion. I told the girls not to think about the emotions of that. I really hope the fans come back and we'll do everything we can to do better as a team."

Last week, Tottenham scraped a 1-0 win over West Ham without producing a single shot on target.

But in their second match under new manager Martin Ho - who spent three year's as an assistant coach with Everton's women's team - they were aggressive and pressed high, dominating the midfield and recording 19 shots with eight on target.

Summer signing Tandberg stood out, teeing up Ahtinen for the opener before netting her own superb goal and generally causing the hosts problems throughout.

Spurs were better in every department and had further chances with Drew Spence's powerful first-time effort pushed away by Brosnan and Eveliina Summanen going close.

Defensively they looked solid too and prevented the Toffees getting a shot on target, remaining organised when as tried to be more aggressive in the second half.

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Everton 0-0 Tottenham

Jess Anderson

BBC Sport at Goodison Park

While some things at Goodison Park have changed, many traditions remain the same.

The players emerge from the tunnel to the tune of the iconic Z Cars theme song.

Flags are waved in the Gwladys Street End and cheers go up for their players on this historic fixture.

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Everton v Tottenham (14:30 BST)

Jess Anderson

BBC Sport at Goodison Park

After the men's team played their final match at Goodison Park, the club offered season ticket holders and seasonal hospitality members the opportunity to buy the seat they have used in the 2024-25 season as a permanent souvenir of Goodison Park.

That plan went ahead and any seats bought were set to be replaced by the club in areas that will be occupied by supporters for women's matches.

Up here by the press box, though, that's not happened just yet...

'It means a lot for the women's game'

Everton v Tottenham (14:30 BST)

Everton

Everton manager Brian Sorensen on playing at Goodison Park: "It means a lot for the women's game in general and we have this opportunity. This can be one of the first moves like it.

"It's not about the emotions today. It's about being professional and playing as a team. We want to start good here."

Goodison set up for new tenants

Everton v Tottenham (14:30 BST)

Jess Anderson

BBC Sport at Goodison Park

A miserable day on Merseyside but that's not dampening the spirits inside Goodison Park where the music is blasting as the players warm up.

New branding for the women's team adorns the Bullens Road stand and the upper tier of the Gwladys Street End.

The Gwladys Street End has plenty of new flags hanging. I can see tributes for Courtney Brosnan and Megan Finnigan among others.

Everton women ready to call Goodison home

Everton v Tottenham (14:30 BST)

Elizabeth Botcherby

BBC Sport

To the casual observer, Everton v Tottenham is just another Women's Super League fixture.

But history will be made on Sunday at 14:30 BST, with Everton playing their first match at Goodison Park since it became the permanent home of the women's team.

Everton have played at Goodison Park before, most recently in November 2024, when they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Merseyside derby, but on their previous appearances at the 133-year-old stadium, they were guests of Everton men.

But following the relocation of the men's team to the newly constructed Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool's waterfront, Goodison Park is embarking on a new era as the largest dedicated women's stadium in England.

More succinctly, in the words of Everton defender Kenzie Weir: "It's ours."

Weir is more familiar with the stadium than most of her team-mates, as her dad, former Scotland international David Weir, made more than 250 appearances for the Toffees between 1999 and 2007.

There are photos of her on the pitch as a child and she "remembers the atmosphere" from his playing days. Now, it's the stage for her and her team-mates to "showcase what we've got".

Read more here.

'You saw ruthless of Man Utd identity'

FT: London City Lionesses 1-5 Man Utd

Manchester United

Manchester United goalscorer Jayde Riviere speaking to Sky Sports: "We really wanted to focus this week on bouncing back from our Champions League game. We wanted to jump into this. The team we played is a new team and we don't know what to expect. All we control is how we play and you saw that ruthlessness of the Man Utd identity. It was a really good team performance."

On scoring nine goals in two WSL games: "You see how connected we are as a team off the pitch and that translates on the pitch. We have a great group of girls."

'Kerr's waited a long time for that moment'

FT: Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

Fran Kirby

Brighton forward on Sky Sports

I'm absolutely delighted for her. It's been a real tough journey for her. A lot of people keep asking 'Where's Sam?', and when you know what's going on in the background, you just can't wait for her to get back on that pitch and that's where she belongs.

She belongs out on a football pitch and I'm delighted that she could get her goal. Get her 100th goal for Chelsea. She's waited a long time for that moment, so I'm really happy for her. Hopefully, she can stay fit, stay healthy and contribute this season.

Everton ready for 'bright future' in new home

Everton v Tottenham (14:30 BST)

Jess Anderson

BBC Sport at Goodison Park

It's a damp, rainy day on Merseyside to mark the dawn of a new era for Everton women.

The first match at their new home Goodison Park gets under way soon against Tottenham.

Manager Brian Sorensen says in his programme notes he believes the Old Lady "holds a bright future for our team".

He adds that the move is a "clear sign of ambition" from the club.

With a 4-1 thrashing over local rivals Liverpool last week, Everton will look to build on that momentum here at their new home.

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Tottenham's James Maddison has said referees and video assistant referees have had an "absolute shocker of a start" to the Premier League season.

Maddison, who is out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, posted his criticism on X after Cristian Romero's goal in Spurs' 3-0 win against West Ham was ruled out.

The Tottenham captain thought he had opened the scoring at London Stadium on Saturday before referee Jarred Gillett blew his whistle for an apparent foul on Kyle Walker-Peters by Micky van de Ven just beforehand.

VAR John Brooks briefly checked the incident before upholding Gillett's decision.

"The referee's call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Van de Ven pushed Walker-Peters in the back and impacted his ability to play the ball," the Premier League Match Centre posted on X moments later.

Replays appeared to show that West Ham's goalkeeper Mads Hermansen had pushed Mateus Fernandes into the back of Van de Ven, who was then forced into Walker-Peters.

In response to the decision, Maddison said: "Honestly the referees and VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season.

"If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without [the] referee blowing for something ever again."

Former Wales centre-back Ashley Williams agreed with Maddison, saying Romero's goal should have stood.

"West Ham's goalkeeper pushes his own player into Micky Van der Ven, who then collides with Kyle Walker-Peters but the Tottenham player didn't initiate that contact. We've watched it back numerous times and you can see he doesn't push Walker-Peters over."" Williams said.

"The referee's given the decision on the field and because of that, VAR is reluctant to intervene but that's what they're there for. We'd like to see more goals given and it's the wrong decision, which is frustrating."

Fortunately for Thomas Frank, goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Van de Ven ensured Spurs beat 10-man West Ham.

Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth, 15 August: Anfield was left perplexed by the officials' decision not to penalise Bournemouth defender Marco Senesi for what appeared to be a deliberate handball which denied Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike a clear run at goal.

The Premier League said afterwards that Senesi's action was "deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor a denial of a goalscoring opportunity due to the distance from goal".

Fulham 1-1 Manchester United, 24 August: Fulham defender Calvin Bassey was adamant that he had been pushed by Leny Yoro in the build-up to United, second-half opener.

And Fulham head coach Marco Silva said afterwards that "everybody could see" the infringement.

Chelsea 2-0 Fulham, 30 August: Silva and his players were even more incensed the following weekend after teenager Joshua King's opener was chalked off by VAR for a foul by Rodrigo Muniz, who was deemed to have trodden on Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah's foot.

The Key Match Incidents panel recently admitted the goal should have been awarded, saying: "The panel unanimously supported the original on-field call to allow play to continue and award the goal."

Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport after the match: "I was really angry, not because it was Fulham but because I love football. Goals like that shouldn't be disallowed by complete accidents."