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The Football Association recently slapped Chelsea with a £10 million fine and a suspended transfer ban. This punishment followed the club's admission of 74 financial rule breaches under Roman Abramovich's ownership. The infractions occurred between 2011 and 2018, centering on illicit payments to unregistered agents for key transfers.

Chelsea's current ownership self-reported these irregularities after purchasing the club in 2022. Signings implicated in the breaches include Eden Hazard, David Luiz, and Nemanja Matic, who all played crucial roles when Antonio Conte guided the Blues to the Premier League crown in the 2016-17 campaign.

Tottenham finished just seven points adrift in second place that year. Despite boasting the division's best attack, tightest defence, and fewest defeats, Spurs ended the season empty-handed. Now, their former manager feels the record books must be rewritten.

Pochettino remains adamant that his former club were robbed of domestic glory by an uneven playing field. He stressed that a financial penalty is insufficient for systemic rule-breaking.

“I’ve said that we should win one title, one Premier League,” Pochettino told reporters. “We should have been awarded it. If that was true, and that happened, for sure we deserve to be champions for that year. Because we were the second best.”

The Argentine tactician highlighted the distinct operational limits placed on the two London rivals. "They were punished, they admitted (it), so that’s it?" he said. "The title should be for the team that was second. We didn’t compete with the same rules. OK, now we can say that they scored goals, they won games. But it’s completely fair to say that we didn’t compete before the start of the season with the same card."

Pochettino suggested that a level financial landscape could have changed history. "Maybe with the same rules, if we apply the same things, maybe we could have signed some players that would have made the team better, or scored more goals," he explained. "It’s not me complaining. It’s the truth."

Despite managing Chelsea during the 2023-24 season, Pochettino did not shy away from confronting his former employers. "The Chelsea fans will be upset with me because I’m saying this," he conceded. "But if we were at Tottenham and broke the rules, I would admit the same and say, 'Look, we don’t deserve the title because we broke the rules'. It’s impossible if only some clubs play with offside and another plays with no offside. Or one plays with VAR and another plays with no VAR. No. For everyone, it needs to be the same rules, and the capacity to create the best team."

While praising his coaching counterpart, Pochettino insisted sporting integrity must come first. "I don’t say that they did not play well. Conte, the coach, was great. I don’t want this message twisted. But if you broke the rules, in the moment, then 'ciao'. You need to give it to another team."

He warned that a lack of severe sporting sanctions sets a dangerous precedent. "What is being promoted and incentivised is to break the rules," he argued. "If you don’t punish the way that you need to punish, I say 'yes, but I lost my job because we didn’t win the title'." Reflecting on his own Spurs exit in 2019, he concluded: "We were fighting with clubs [who worked] in a completely different way to us. I think we deserve more. We operated in a different way."

The Football Association recently slapped Chelsea with a £10 million fine and a suspended transfer ban. This punishment followed the club's admission of 74 financial rule breaches under Roman Abramovich's ownership. The infractions occurred between 2011 and 2018, centering on illicit payments to unregistered agents for key transfers.

Chelsea's current ownership self-reported these irregularities after purchasing the club in 2022. Signings implicated in the breaches include Eden Hazard, David Luiz, and Nemanja Matic, who all played crucial roles when Antonio Conte guided the Blues to the Premier League crown in the 2016-17 campaign.

Tottenham finished just seven points adrift in second place that year. Despite boasting the division's best attack, tightest defence, and fewest defeats, Spurs ended the season empty-handed. Now, their former manager feels the record books must be rewritten.

Pochettino remains adamant that his former club were robbed of domestic glory by an uneven playing field. He stressed that a financial penalty is insufficient for systemic rule-breaking.

“I’ve said that we should win one title, one Premier League,” Pochettino told reporters. “We should have been awarded it. If that was true, and that happened, for sure we deserve to be champions for that year. Because we were the second best.”

The Argentine tactician highlighted the distinct operational limits placed on the two London rivals. "They were punished, they admitted (it), so that’s it?" he said. "The title should be for the team that was second. We didn’t compete with the same rules. OK, now we can say that they scored goals, they won games. But it’s completely fair to say that we didn’t compete before the start of the season with the same card."

Pochettino suggested that a level financial landscape could have changed history. "Maybe with the same rules, if we apply the same things, maybe we could have signed some players that would have made the team better, or scored more goals," he explained. "It’s not me complaining. It’s the truth."

Despite managing Chelsea during the 2023-24 season, Pochettino did not shy away from confronting his former employers. "The Chelsea fans will be upset with me because I’m saying this," he conceded. "But if we were at Tottenham and broke the rules, I would admit the same and say, 'Look, we don’t deserve the title because we broke the rules'. It’s impossible if only some clubs play with offside and another plays with no offside. Or one plays with VAR and another plays with no VAR. No. For everyone, it needs to be the same rules, and the capacity to create the best team."

While praising his coaching counterpart, Pochettino insisted sporting integrity must come first. "I don’t say that they did not play well. Conte, the coach, was great. I don’t want this message twisted. But if you broke the rules, in the moment, then 'ciao'. You need to give it to another team."

He warned that a lack of severe sporting sanctions sets a dangerous precedent. "What is being promoted and incentivised is to break the rules," he argued. "If you don’t punish the way that you need to punish, I say 'yes, but I lost my job because we didn’t win the title'." Reflecting on his own Spurs exit in 2019, he concluded: "We were fighting with clubs [who worked] in a completely different way to us. I think we deserve more. We operated in a different way."

Kulusevski is on the verge of making his long-awaited return to action following a devastating 16-month injury absence. The 26-year-old has not played a competitive match since May 2025 due to a severe knee problem. The Sweden international missed the entirety of Tottenham's last campaign as he battled recurring setbacks.

He underwent initial surgery on a right patella issue at the end of the 2024-25 season, expecting to be sidelined for only a few months. However, his recovery stalled, leading to a second operation in March. The prolonged absence left Spurs fans increasingly anxious and ultimately forced the winger to miss the summer World Cup.

The forward finally returned to first-team training with Spurs at the beginning of September. While he is not yet under consideration for Roberto De Zerbi's matchday squads, Sweden boss Potter remains highly optimistic about his progress.

Potter wants to reach a swift agreement with Spurs' medical department to include Kulusevski in the upcoming international break. The manager is desperate to welcome the attacker back into the international fold.

"He's very close. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury," Potter told SVT. "Of course, we have to be careful with him. I hope he comes with us, but we have to talk to Dejan and Tottenham first."

Getting Kulusevski back on the pitch would provide a massive boost for a Sweden side preparing for an unusually long international window. Potter views the Spurs forward as an irreplaceable component of his tactical setup.

Emphasising his immense value, Potter added: "The importance of getting Dejan Kulusevski into the national team cannot be emphasised enough. He is incredibly important to the team. We love him, his character and qualities. He is a world-class player and it helps enormously to have him around."

Sweden will play four Nations League matches during a lengthy international break stretching from September 21 to October 6. They kick off their campaign at home against Romania before hosting Poland three days later. Tricky away trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania will then follow to conclude the window. Potter hopes Kulusevski will be fit enough to play some part across those four crucial fixtures.

Back in north London, De Zerbi will monitor the situation closely. Spurs will aim to carefully reintegrate the 26-year-old into their domestic plans once he proves his fitness.

Today's game between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur Academy will kick off at 8 Sept 2026, 19:00.

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Exeter City vs Tottenham Hotspur Academy is available to watch live. TV channel and live stream options are listed below.

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Exeter City host Tottenham Hotspur Academy at St James Park in the EFL Trophy, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in Southern Group A.

The Grecians come into this fixture off the back of a run that has produced mixed results in League Two. Two draws in their last two matches have steadied the ship somewhat, though consecutive defeats earlier in the run will give manager and squad plenty to think about.

Tottenham's academy side arrive with momentum from the Premier Reserve League. Three wins from their last five outings, including an impressive victory over Newcastle United Academy, suggest a group of players growing in confidence and cohesion.

For Exeter, the EFL Trophy represents a chance to build winning habits and give fringe players competitive minutes. St James Park will provide the kind of physical test that Premier League academy sides rarely encounter in their own competition.

Spurs' development squad will be eager to go one better than their previous meeting with Exeter in this competition. That result still stings, and this fixture offers a chance to settle the score on the same ground.

Both teams sit in the top half of the Southern Group A standings, meaning the points on offer here carry genuine weight for progression in the competition.

Here is everything you need to know about where to watch Exeter City vs Tottenham Hotspur Academy, including TV channel, live stream details and kick-off time.

How to watch Exeter City vs Tottenham Hotspur Academy with VPN

If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.

A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. A step-by-step guide is described later in this article, or you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.

Team news & squads

Exeter City have not confirmed any injury or suspension news ahead of this fixture. Team news will be updated closer to kick-off as the club releases further information.

Tottenham Hotspur Academy have also not provided confirmed squad details at this stage. Updates on availability and any absences will be added as they become available.

Form

Exeter City have recorded one win, two draws and two defeats across their last five League Two matches, scoring four goals and conceding four. Their most recent outing ended in a goalless draw against Walsall, following a 1-1 draw with Barnet before that. The Grecians' sole win in this run came against Accrington Stanley, a 2-0 victory, though defeats to York City and Grimsby Town on either side of that result show the inconsistency in their current form.

Tottenham Hotspur Academy have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five Premier Reserve League 1 matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding eight. Their most recent game ended 3-3 against Birmingham Academy, while a 3-1 win away at Newcastle United Academy stands as a highlight of the run. Three wins from five, with double-figure goals scored, reflects an attack-minded group that is not short of firepower.

Head-to-Head Record

The only previous meeting between these two sides in the available record came in the EFL Trophy on 24 September 2024, when Exeter City beat Tottenham Hotspur Academy 2-0 at St James Park. Exeter therefore hold a 100 per cent record against Spurs' academy in this competition based on the matches on record, with two goals scored and none conceded.

Standings

In Southern Group A of the EFL Trophy, Exeter City currently sit second while Tottenham Hotspur Academy are placed fourth.

Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Exeter City vs Tottenham Hotspur Academy today

NordVPN

Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.

Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).

Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.

Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.

How to watch on the Big Screen

Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton kicks off on 12 Sept 2026 at 12:30 EST and 17:30 GMT.

Spurs still goalless after 270 minutes of football

Despite Tottenham's vast expenditure in the transfer market, they've still not managed to trouble the scorers in their first three Premier League games this term. Defeats to Brentford and Newcastle were followed by a drab 0-0 stalemate with Nottingham Forest last time out. Roberto De Zerbi's side failed to register even a single shot on target against Forest and were thankful for VAR intervention, which ruled out Neco Williams' late strike because of handball. New signings Savio (start), Omar Marmoush (start) and Mykhailo Mudryk (introduced as a substitute) all featured.

Getty Images

Maitland-Niles stunner preserves Everton's unbeaten start

Everton twice came from behind against Man United to claim a 2-2 draw with Man United. Debutant Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a screamer in the 96th minute, meaning Everton have five points from their three outings so far and remain unbeaten.

Getty Images

Key stats

Spurs are scoreless in their first three league games of a season for the first time since 1975.

Everton's last away win in the Premier League against Spurs came in September 2020.

Spurs did a league double over Everton last season and have won their last five home EPL matches against the Toffees.

Likely XIs

Spurs (4231): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Tonali, Bentancur; Savio, Gallagher, Mudryk; Marmoush.

Everton (4231): Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Garner; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.

Team news & squads

Form

Head-to-Head Record

Tottenham finally got off the mark for the new Premier League campaign on Saturday, but the 0-0 draw at the City Ground did little to appease De Zerbi. After consecutive defeats to Brentford and Newcastle United, Spurs showed defensive solidity against Forest, yet it was their profligacy at the other end that drew the ire of their manager. The Italian specifically highlighted a wasted opportunity by Egyptian forward Marmoush, suggesting the marquee signing is still finding his feet in a system that demands perfection.

Speaking in the aftermath of the frustrating stalemate, De Zerbi did not hold back when discussing the Egyptian international’s contribution. "I spoke now about Marmoush. But Marmoush, we have to analyse if he has, or not, 15, 12 goals. I think, yes, because he has all the qualities, enough to score that number of goals. He has to improve, of course," De Zerbi said,

Marmoush was not the only player to face public criticism from the former Brighton boss. Mathys Tel, the 21-year-old French winger, was also singled out for his inability to execute in dangerous positions before being replaced by debutant Mykhailo Mudryk in the second half. De Zerbi lamented the lack of quality in the crosses delivered from the wide areas, noting that his side failed to capitalise on their tactical superiority.

De Zerbi explained his decision to hook Tel and his general unhappiness with the wide delivery: "Or how many crosses went over the second post? From Mathys Tel, two times, Savio, one time. Savio I think it’s the last decision. The ball from Pedro Porro on Mateus Fernandes when he played with Kudus and then for the header of Solanke, Mateus was completely alone to go forward to score. I think we played well but in the last third we have to improve."

While the attack failed to fire, De Zerbi was quick to praise the defensive structure and the team's resilience in a hostile environment. Forest’s direct approach often causes problems for visiting sides, but Spurs managed to dominate the aerial duels and control the second-ball situations. The manager acknowledged that while the points tally is not where he wants it to be, the foundation of the team is beginning to take shape following a hectic transfer window.

Reflecting on the defensive performance, the Italian said: "Anyway, I’m very happy for the spirit of the team, for the organisation, with and without the ball. We didn’t suffer nothing. Their style of play is very clear, long ball and second ball. But even this second ball, we won many, many duels. They have good players and taking points in this stadium is not so easy. We are not happy because we didn’t win, but I think this is the right spirit and the right way to move on in this moment."

To rectify these issues, De Zerbi plans to spend significant time in the video room, meticulously reviewing the errors made at the City Ground. He believes that a combination of tactical analysis and a boost in confidence from a first victory will eventually lead to better outcomes.

De Zerbi outlined his plan for improvement, stating: "Meeting, watching, analysing together with the players. Also, I think, winning the games, because, you know, the confidence, the enthusiasm, it can be crucial to find the right decision."

High-octane Premier League action returns to North London as Tottenham Hotspur host Unai Emery's Aston Villa in a crucial top-four clash at the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs supporters will be packing out the stands in full voice on Saturday, September 19, 2026, eager to see their team claim three crucial domestic points early in the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

GOAL provides you with everything you need to buy Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa tickets, including 2026/27 Premier League prices, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium fixture information, kick-off times, and official booking details.

When is Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Premier League kick-off?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with official kick-off time details to be confirmed.

How to buy Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Premier League tickets

Multiple ticketing options are available for Premier League fixtures, ranging from general admission seats to world-class Premium Hospitality packages, managed through official club ticket portals or verified secondary ticket marketplaces.

Due to massive demand at the 62,850-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ticket releases follow structured phases:

Season Ticket Holders: Existing season ticket holders retain reserved seats for all home Premier League matches throughout the season.

One Hotspur & One Hotspur+ Members: Priority access for remaining home sector tickets goes to official One Hotspur members via official sales windows and ballot systems prior to matchday.

General Public Sale: Matches against top European competitors like Aston Villa rarely reach general public sale due to high membership demand.

Official Ticket Exchange & Secondary Platforms: Members can buy returned seats via the official Spurs Ticket Exchange. Alternatively, supporters searching for sold-out sections can purchase verified tickets via secondary platforms like LiveFootballTickets.

How much do Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Premier League tickets cost?

Face-value ticket prices for Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium vary based on seating tier, fixture category, and age classification:

Match Categorization: High-profile clashes against direct top-four rivals are classified in Category A pricing, commanding higher face-value rates than standard league matches.

Concession Discounts: Discounted ticket tiers are available for Seniors (65+), Young Adults (18-21), and Juniors (Under 18) across designated general admission blocks.

Seat Location: Longside stands (West Stand and East Stand) offer prime viewing options at higher price points, while the famous single-tier South Stand (The Park Lane End) and North Stand offer vibrant matchday atmospheres.

Digital Ticketing: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium operates a 100% digital ticketing entry system. Match passes are delivered directly to the spectator’s smartphone digital wallet.

Away Ticket Pricing & Availability

For Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, visiting Aston Villa supporters are allocated seats in the designated away section (North East Corner - Blocks 114 to 118).

Premier League regulations cap all official away ticket prices at £30 per adult ticket for traveling supporters.

To purchase tickets in the official away allocation, supporters must be registered Aston Villa season ticket holders or official members who meet strict away loyalty points criteria. Away section allocations routinely sell out and do not reach open public sale.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Premier League: Everything you need to know

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Form

Tottenham's last five matches produce a record of one win, one draw, and two losses in competitive action, alongside one friendly victory. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, and they also lost 3-0 to Brentford earlier in August. The sole competitive win came in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic, where Spurs scored five goals. Across the five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded seven.

Aston Villa's last five matches tell a stark story: five consecutive defeats across all competitions. Their most recent match was a 1-0 Premier League loss at Arsenal, and they also lost 4-0 at Brighton. Villa were beaten in the UEFA Super Cup by Paris Saint-Germain and fell to friendly defeats against Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayern Munich. Across those five games, Villa scored three goals and conceded ten.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa: Recent Head-to-Head Record

The most recent meeting between these sides ended in a 1-2 victory for Tottenham at Aston Villa's ground in the Premier League on 3 May 2026. Across the last five encounters, Villa hold the stronger record, winning three times to Tottenham's two, with Spurs winning both of their victories away from home. Villa have scored seven goals in those five matches, with Tottenham scoring six.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Standings

In the current Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur sit in 20th place and Aston Villa are 19th, meaning both clubs are yet to find their footing in the early weeks of the season.

According to the Daily Mail, Roberto De Zerbi has completely axed Richarlison from the Tottenham Hotspur squad for the current Premier League campaign. The decision comes after Richarlison made repeated requests to depart North London during the summer transfer window. De Zerbi confirmed on Saturday that Richarlison had asked "too many times" to leave. Tottenham have set a valuation of £35 million for Richarlison, but the club have yet to receive an acceptable offer. With only one year remaining on his current contract, plus an option for a further 12 months, Richarlison finds himself completely isolated from the first team as the English deadline has now passed.

Despite the English window closing, the Turkish transfer market remains open until Friday, offering Richarlison a potential escape route. Trabzonspor have already seen an initial bid rejected by Tottenham, but the Super Lig side remain keen on securing his signature. Richarlison is understood to be extremely interested in joining Trabzonspor, where he could reunite with Mohamed Salah and Fabinho. A return to Everton previously collapsed after Richarlison rejected the personal terms offered by his former club. Now, with Omar Marmoush arriving on loan from Manchester City, Tottenham have clearly moved on, leaving Trabzonspor as the primary option to end this difficult saga.

Following the collapse of his proposed move to Everton, Richarlison took to social media to release a fiery statement regarding his current situation. Writing on Instagram, Richarlison stated: "After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me. I went through a lot of bad things, and almost all of them happened because decisions were made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation - none of that scares me. I've been through far worse, believe me." The message highlighted his frustration with the ongoing negotiations and his absolute determination to control his next career step away from Tottenham.

Trabzonspor face a race against time to submit an improved offer before the Turkish transfer window officially closes on Friday. If a £35m deal cannot be agreed upon, Richarlison will be forced to remain in exile at Tottenham until the January window opens. De Zerbi and Tottenham will now focus on integrating their new attacking options.

According to the Daily Mail, Roberto De Zerbi has completely axed Richarlison from the Tottenham Hotspur squad for the current Premier League campaign. The decision comes after Richarlison made repeated requests to depart North London during the summer transfer window. De Zerbi confirmed on Saturday that Richarlison had asked "too many times" to leave. Tottenham have set a valuation of £35 million for Richarlison, but the club have yet to receive an acceptable offer. With only one year remaining on his current contract, plus an option for a further 12 months, Richarlison finds himself completely isolated from the first team as the English deadline has now passed.

Despite the English window closing, the Turkish transfer market remains open until Friday, offering Richarlison a potential escape route. Trabzonspor have already seen an initial bid rejected by Tottenham, but the Super Lig side remain keen on securing his signature. Richarlison is understood to be extremely interested in joining Trabzonspor, where he could reunite with Mohamed Salah and Fabinho. A return to Everton previously collapsed after Richarlison rejected the personal terms offered by his former club. Now, with Omar Marmoush arriving on loan from Manchester City, Tottenham have clearly moved on, leaving Trabzonspor as the primary option to end this difficult saga.

Following the collapse of his proposed move to Everton, Richarlison took to social media to release a fiery statement regarding his current situation. Writing on Instagram, Richarlison stated: "After everything I've been through in the last few years, I've decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me. I went through a lot of bad things, and almost all of them happened because decisions were made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation - none of that scares me. I've been through far worse, believe me." The message highlighted his frustration with the ongoing negotiations and his absolute determination to control his next career step away from Tottenham.

Trabzonspor face a race against time to submit an improved offer before the Turkish transfer window officially closes on Friday. If a £35m deal cannot be agreed upon, Richarlison will be forced to remain in exile at Tottenham until the January window opens. De Zerbi and Tottenham will now focus on integrating their new attacking options.

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