BBC

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has thanked manager Ange Postecoglou for protecting the squad amid their disappointing season, describing him like "a dad or uncle for us".

Spurs are 17th in the Premier League table with one game remaining and have suffered 25 defeats across all competitions - their joint-highest since the 1991-92 season.

They have an opportunity to salvage their season with the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday, and Mali midfielder Bissouma says the relationship between the players and the manager has remained strong throughout the season.

"It's never changed, never changed. We have a good relationship," Bissouma, 28, said of Postecoglou.

"He's like a dad or uncle for us. He's always trying to make us understand what he really wants.

"For us, he's Ange, he's him. He's got his idea. He's trying to help us every time. He's always protecting us."

Bissouma added that Postecoglou's style was difficult to grasp at the beginning of his tenure in 2023, but he said the Australian has never put any blame on the players.

Injuries have plagued Tottenham's season but they were boosted by the return of captain Son Heung-min in Friday's defeat by Aston Villa.

They beat AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt to set up the European final against fellow Premier League strugglers United.

Bissouma was briefly suspended by Spurs at the beginning of the season after footage appeared to show the midfielder inhaling laughing gas, an incident which he said he did not want to talk about but is "still learning" from.

"Of course there's more to come [from me]. We are always here for learning, I'm still learning," he said.

"This season has been hard for me because I didn't play much.

"The only thing I know is you have to work hard and never give up and be ready when your team needs you. That's what I'm always trying to do.

"We know what we have to do. We have to win this cup because for us it's really important.

"As a player, it's not coming every season. For the club, for the fans, it's something special."

All eyes will be on Bilbao now as Manchester United and Tottenham switch focus from their disappointing domestic campaigns and try to win the Europa League.

With both sides languishing in the bottom half of the table, securing a European trophy - and a place in next season's Champions League - would ensure they finish the campaign on a high.

Having lost their penultimate Premier League fixtures on Friday, there was no winning send-off before their meeting in Spain.

Manchester United suffered an 18th loss of the campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, while it was 21 for Tottenham after they were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa.

But with everything now riding on Europa League success, just how are both sides shaping up ahead of the final?

Friday night's defeats for United and Spurs continued their dismal run domestically.

Tottenham have now lost 25 games in all competitions this season, the most in a single campaign in their history, while 18 league defeats for Manchester United is their most since losing 20 in 1973-74 - the last season in which they were relegated from the top flight.

United have also gone eight league games without a win (D2 L6) for the first time since an 11-game stretch between December 1989 and February 1990.

Spurs, meanwhile, have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games (D2 L8) since beating bottom side Southampton 3-1 in April.

They've also conceded in each of their last 12 league games, their longest run without a clean sheet since 17 between August and December 2010.

Both sides, though, will look to their form in Europe before Wednesday's showpiece - which has been in contrast to their domestic struggles.

They are unbeaten in their last five Europa League outings, winning four of those fixtures on their way to reaching the final.

The team selections made by both United boss Ruben Amorim and Spurs counterpart Ange Postecoglou for Friday's games provided some insight into their thinking for the Europa League final.

Postecoglou opted to rest several of his key players as Antonín Kinsky started in goal, with Guglielmo Vicario on the bench alongside Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Pedro Porro.

Amorim, meanwhile, opted to bring back his regular starters, having rested some of them for the 2-0 home loss to West Ham on Sunday, 11 May.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana was not in the squad that day as Altay Bayindir started, but returned to face Chelsea.

Amorim suggested after the game he was prioritising his key players feeling competitive before the final rather than feeling rested.

"We have to prepare for each competition, with five days we can rest," he told BBC Sport.

"We have five days to prepare [for the Europa League final], two days to fully recover and then two days to prepare.

"Of course, we are excited to be in the final. Since day one the pressure has been there, but I live quite well with the pressure. When you have the final of any cup, we show up, so we are prepared for that."

Tottenham have had the measure of Manchester United this season, beating them home and away in the Premier League and also in the Carabao Cup.

They will also likely back themselves to score against the Red Devils, having hit 21 more league goals than them, despite sitting fourth from bottom with United a place above.

In fact, no team outside the top six has scored more than Tottenham's 63 goals.

Keeping them out, however, has been an issue with 61 league goals conceded, while United have fared marginally better with 54.

Encouragement for Postecoglou will also come from a lively first-half display by Son Heung-min against Villa.

The forward is looking to return to peak fitness after being sidelined with a foot injury and went close to scoring before the break.

Son, 32, has lost his last two finals with Spurs and will no doubt be determined to end his trophy drought with the club after a decade.

"He is ready and available," Postecoglou said of Son. "He feels like he is getting back to some rhythm."

United, meanwhile, could only muster one shot on target against Chelsea with Rasmus Hojlund again struggling to make an impact in attack.

The forward has scored just three goals in his last 15 appearances in all competitions.

"They have a problem, they have no striker," former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports.

"Hojlund looked like a young boy from the academy. He is not good enough to be the main man. United are up against it all the time."

Playing your strongest side brings with it the risk of an important player picking up an injury that would rule them out of the final.

Fortunately for Amorim i twas a risk that paid off as his team appeared to come through the Chelsea test unscathed.

Instead, it was Tottenham who have more concerns after Pape Sarr went off in the first half against Villa with a back issue, although Postecoglou said he was taken off as a precaution.

Spurs certainly don't need their injury issues compounding, with key players like Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison already ruled out of the Europa League final.

While not solely to blame for their dreadfully poor domestic campaigns, injuries have certainly hampered both clubs.

According to data from PremierInjuries.com, Tottenham have had the third worst injury crisis in the Premier League, with United the fifth.

In total, Spurs had lost 1,414 days to injuries and suffered 38 separate injuries this season – both the third highest tallies in the league.

United, meanwhile, had lost 1,229 days to injury – the fifth most – with 30 separate injuries, which was the seventh highest figure.

However, Brighton are sat in the top 10 of the Premier League, despite having the worst injury issues so far this season.

According to the data the Seagulls are top with 1,862 days lost to 44 separate injuries - as of 15 May.

But despite their poor domestic form and injury concerns, everything can go out of the window for a one-off cup final.

United are looking to win the Europa League for the second time in the last decade and their fifth major European trophy overall.

And Keane said: "You still have to fancy United.

"I think history carries a bit of weight. League form, there's not much between them, both have been desperate, but United's history in finals and more knowledge around the big games, that might edge it."

For ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp there's nothing between the two sides.

"This feels like a 50/50 game," he added. "This is a chance for Tottenham to change history and narrative.

"Ange will become the biggest decision of Daniel Levy's life. The league form has been diabolical but a first trophy would make it really difficult to sack him.

"If they win a cup, it is hero status."

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says the fans transmitted the energy that his side needed to get the win over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park that continues their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou was pleased with his side's effort but admits the "game got away" from them after conceding the opening goal after 59 minutes in their 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

GOAL - Chelsea 0-1 Man Utd

Harry Maguire (16 mins)

An inquest at the back for Chelsea as Harry Maguire pops up to give Manchester United the lead.

Bruno Fernandes swings in a cross from deep and Maguire runs in to volley the ball home from about 10 yards out.

Offside check though.

Maresca and Amorim both seem angry

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

Both Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca are angry at their respective players from the touchline for seemingly failing to carry out tactical duties.

It has been a pretty disjointed start from both teams with United just in poor form in the Premier League and Chelsea without their only striker Nicolas Jackson through suspension.

Post

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes goes down holding his foot after being caught by Enzo Fernandez.

Just what United want to see... He's OK though.

Moises Caicedo is playing in a mask

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

Moises Caicedo is playing in a mask after suffering a minor cheek injury at Newcastle.

There are no concerns over his fitness more broadly and he had it fitted in preparation for action tonight.

Post

Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd

Fantastic pass by Cole Palmer to pick out Noni Madueke in space in the box. Perfectly weighted past three United defenders but Madueke shins it over from six yards. The bounce just caught the ex-PSV winger out to be fair.

A group of teenagers, playing seven-a-side football in Coventry, had a huge surprise when Premier League player James Maddison turned up at their match.

It was "surreal" to see the former Sky Blues star, now a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, one of the boys said.

Teenager Max, from Eastern Green, told BBC CWR that Maddison was "really nice, down to earth, really humble".

His dad Mark, added the football star was a "great ambassador" for his home city.

"For him to spend time with my son and his friends, and take time out and help them along and be so kind and gracious, it was just incredible," he said.

"All the boys are big, huge Coventry City fans – as I am, lifelong fan."

Max said: "It's so surreal seeing him in real life.

"He turned up with his own team, and he started coaching the team we were playing – and we got absolutely battered,"

He said the final score was 9-0, but the disappointment of losing had been tempered by the experience of meeting one of his heroes.

"We got a few photos after, he's a really nice guy to talk to – really nice, down to earth, really humble," Max added.

Let's face it, everyone on the planet thinks Aston Villa will win this - the same way everyone will expect Chelsea to beat Manchester United in Friday's other game.

The way both Tottenham and United are approaching next week's Europa League final, they are just gripped with fear. It has become like a World Cup final for both clubs.

Both managers will make lots of changes for their matches on Friday, because they are so afraid of injuries to key players but I just don't think that is the way to approach Wednesday's game in Bilbao.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou does not want anyone to get injured but the flip side to leaving key people out is that you want to go into a big game with a bit of momentum, and Tottenham do not have any.

I put myself in a position of a Spurs player, and if I am Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero, I would want to play against Villa and I would want to take that risk.

But what Postecoglou is scared of, naturally, is if something happens to one of them, because then he would be asked 'why on earth did you do that?'

So, we know what he will do and, because of that, you can't make a case for Tottenham beating Villa, or getting anything at all from this game.

On the face of it, things have turned out pretty well for Villa haven't they? Last summer they would have looked at their last two games of the season - Spurs at home on Friday and United away next weekend - and thought that is very tough.

Now, though, they must be rubbing their hands. They are fighting for a top-five finish and they finish up with two games against teams whose focus this week is completely on an all together different prize.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Ange Postecoglou has signalled he will rest key players when Tottenham play Aston Villa on Friday as he "can't afford to lose another" to injury with the Europa League final less than a week away.

Midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has become the latest first-team regular to suffer an injury that will rule him out of Wednesday's final in Bilbao against Manchester United.

Fellow midfielders Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison are both also set to miss the final, while defender Radu Dragusin is a long-term injury absentee after suffering a serious knee injury in February.

Head coach Postecoglou rested several players against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Plans to field his strongest side against Villa to "sharpen up" for the Bilbao trip may now have to be scrapped.

"The reality of our existence at the moment is we can't lose another player to an injury," Postecoglou said. "It's just too finely balanced for us considering what's at stake.

"Look, in a normal world you use this to be sharpening up, but we're not living in a normal world.

"Even with the best planning we're still getting hit with these setbacks. From my perspective I've got to take that into account when considering the [Aston Villa] game."

He may take the opportunity to try new combinations in midfield.

"We've always had to try to find creative ways to cover the absences we've had and we'll find a way to do that again," Postecoglou said.

"There's obviously a few players who will play [on Friday] who haven't played regularly or a lot lately who will get an opportunity."

Spurs are 17th in the Premier League table - one place above the relegation zone but out of danger, and one behind United in 16th.

Both Europa League final sides have endured dismal domestic league campaigns but the winner next Wednesday will qualify for next season's Champions League.

Tottenham have not won a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has filed a criminal complaint with the South Korean police for being the victim of an alleged blackmail plot after it was reported that a woman threatened him with a false pregnancy claim.

Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul said it had detained a woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s on suspicion of extortion and attempted extortion, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported., external

The woman is alleged to have approached Son last year, claiming she was carrying his child. She reportedly demanded money to stay silent.

The man then allegedly followed up with him in March, trying to get money.

Son's agency said in a statement that the South Korea captain is the "clear victim in this case".

'I will put a team out I think will do it's best to win'

Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou on whether he will rest players against Aston Villa, considering Tottenham play in the Europa League final on Wednesday: "No, we are are certainly going to go out there to try to win the game tomorrow and put out a team that hopefully gets that job done."

On whether he was worried about protecting the integrity of the Champions League race: "I'm not sure about the integrity. There have been times this year when we have had to field weakened teams because of injury. Does that affect integrity? So, if people are thinking there is some sort of competitive balance that exists or doesn't exist over the course of a season, I would be very surprised if people were questioning our integrity to try and win a game of football tomorrow.

"I will put a team out that I think will do its best to win a game of football, yes."

Postecoglou on injuries and bad luck

Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on his side's luck with injuries: "It's just reflective and consistent with everything else that has happened this season. We just haven't had a smooth run of things. Every time we look like we are getting to a place where we are looking in decent shape squad-wise, invariably we have been hit.

"The last few weeks again, it's just circumstances that have happened probably in the one area of the park."

The news on Dejan Kulusevski followed a season-ending injury for playmaker James Maddison.

Kulusevski knee 'blew up the next day'

Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou on Dejan Kulusevski being out for a "few months": "Disappointing news. Initially we kind of thought it wasn't too serious. The medical team were worried about structurally how the knee was but it seemed good. It kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue there.

"He's had surgery and it will put him out for at least a few months."

On whether he will be OK for the start of next season?: "We'll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it will certainly put him out for a while."

Kulusevski to miss season finale after knee surgery

Aston Villa v Tottenham (Fri, 19:30 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou will definitely be asked about Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham confirmed on Wednesday that the Sweden international will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee.

The 25-year-old winger was forced off in the 19th minute of Spurs' defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend," a Tottenham statement read.

"Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today (Wednesday) and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately."

Phil McNulty Q&A: 'Not for me to tell fans how to react or how to feel'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Adam: On Trent Alexander-Arnold, and some of the fans' reaction last Sunday. I think It was embarrassing for LFC and whatever happened to “You'll Never Walk Alone”! Also, Arne Slot should take some responsibility, as he was commenting last week that the fans will react however they will. Why didn’t he show respect to TAA and say to the fans that he has shown excellent loyalty after being here 20 years and has won everything there is to win? Those Liverpool fans who booed are an embarrassment to the club. What are your thoughts on this subject? Thank you, as always.

Phil: I was surprised at how angry the reaction towards Trent Alexander-Arnold was, but I am very much of the view that it is not for me to tell fans how to react or how to feel. They are allowed to show their emotions and no laws were broken.

This is a very emotive issue, the local boy who has won everything leaving for a Champions League rival in Real Madrid on a free transfer, so fans will react in their own different ways, and clearly lots of Liverpool fans felt betrayed.

What must not be forgotten is what a magnificent player Trent Alexander-Arnold has been for Liverpool and how he has helped them claim all the major prizes.

Perhaps, in time, the decision he has taken will be viewed more kindly by those who showed their disapproval at Anfield.

People have questioned Slot's decision to put him on as a substitute, but his job is to make decisions he believes will win football matches for Liverpool, not be influenced by outside considerations

Phil McNulty Q&A: Have Liverpool taken the foot off the gas?

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Anon: Hey Phil, I’m a Liverpool fan. Pleased with our title win! Question is when the title is over and won with multiple games left what’s best for the team? Ease off, relax and enjoy the rest of the season and start the rest prior to the title defence next season, or push and aim to win the remaining games and keep a winning mentality?

Phil: Arne Slot’s preference is to win the remaining games and maintain that mentality, but players are only human and it is easier said than done to keep the levels of intensity high when the job is done and the first round of celebrations are over.

In the perfect world, Liverpool’s players would carry on as normal, but a drop off is understandable given the physical and mental efforts they have put in.

Phil McNulty Q&A: Liverpool in 'great position to do strong business this summer'

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Michael: Hi Phil. How much money do you think Liverpool will have to spend this summer and who do you think they will buy?

Phil: Hi, Michael. I wouldn’t hazard a guess on the exact figure, but given Liverpool pretty much kept their powder dry last summer, I think they are in a great position to do strong business this summer.

I think the priorities will be a left-back, perhaps Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and a striker. I also think they will be in the market for a central defender should all the cards fall in the right place and they have enough money to pursue the right option. What a position Liverpool are in. Champions and with the power to add.