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Italian journalist Luca Marchetti is not sure Napoli would be able to afford a Tottenham player they are being linked with, even if they bid for him in January.

Spurs defender continues to be linked away

Even though Radu Dragusin arrived at Spurs less than a year ago, there has already been plenty of speculation linking him with a return to Serie A in light of his inability to break into Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice eleven.

Serie A table-toppers Napoli are one of the clubs credited with an interest in the Romanian ahead of the January window (The Mirror).

However, the centre-back’s agent, Florian Manea made it clear a little over a week ago that he is not in talks with any club regarding a transfer of his client, adding that the defender is keen to prove himself at Tottenham (Calcio Napoli 24).

The deal would be difficult for Napoli to pull off

Luca Marchetti has now explained that while Antonio Conte wants to add a centre-back to his squad, an expensive option like Dragusin might be out of the Serie A club’s reach unless they manage to offload some players.

When asked about the reports linking the Tottenham man with a move to Naples, the journalist said (via Calcio Napoli 24): “I don’t know if Napoli, after how much they spent in the summer, can reverse that much for a purchase already in January, considering the failure to sell Osimhen.

“However, I imagine that when faced with important occasions he can intervene on the defensive line which deserves some ready alternatives.

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“It depends on the dynamics of the market and the opportunities that arise. Surely Conte would be happy with a purchase in defence.

“It also depends on any transfers: there are many attractive players who cannot find space in Naples, but it is unlikely that the Neapolitan club will get rid of them in January.”

Spurs would not entertain any offers

There is no doubt that Dragusin will have a key role to play this season, particularly given that Postecoglou seems intent on rotating his squad and not overburdening any player with too many minutes.

It was also always unlikely that both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven would remain fit throughout the campaign – as we have seen with the Dutchman’s latest hamstring problem. Spurs will thus not consider offloading the former Genoa man mid-season.

Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the press today ahead of this weekend’s action in the Premier League, and discussed Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery.

Inconsistent Spurs are hard to predict

It has been a rather up-and-down season for Spurs so far this year, with the team struggling to put together a sequence of wins of late.

Aside from a nice unbeaten run in September, Ange Postecoglou has seen his team throw away leads and lose to teams they should be beating, like Crystal Palace.

However, the Lilywhites then went and inflicted a first defeat of the season on Manchester City in midweek to progress in the Carabao Cup.

Next up is a home tie against Aston Villa, a team high on confidence and flying in the league. Unai Emery’s side pipped Spurs to the top four last season, but both teams picked up a win away from home against one another in the 2023/24 campaign.

Postecoglou comments on Aston Villa and Unai Emery

Just how this upcoming fixture will play out is hard to predict, but Postecoglou has shared his thoughts on playing against the Midlands club and how good a job Unai Emery has done there.

Speaking to the press today (via Football.London), the Spurs boss said: “When he was at Arsenal, people were quick to dismiss him. He was an outstanding manager before he went to Villa. They identified someone who could take their club to where they wanted to go and he’s done that.”

Typical Tottenham will probably lose

With the current run we are on, it would seem we are due a loss this weekend. Losing to Palace last week was a real blow, but the win against City may have lifted the team, so we’ll just have to see if that confidence can carry through into the league now.

After a disappointing season in the 2023/24 campaign, Alejo Veliz is desperate to have a good year, and his stint with Espanyol just got a lot better.

Things haven’t gone to plan for Alejo Veliz

Having signed for Spurs last summer, there was a lot of excitement around Alejo Veliz‘s arrival at Spurs, and the young striker was eager to make his mark in England.

However, he struggled to get regular game time, with Ange Postecoglou preferring Richarlison and Heung-min Son in attack.

In the first half of the season, Veliz made eight appearances in the Premier League, amounting to 45 minutes of action. He got his first goal for the Lilywhites against Brighton in December, but in the next game, against Bournemouth, Veliz suffered a serious knee injury.

He would join Sevilla in the New Year, but struggled to make an impact there and returned to London this summer having made just six La Liga appearances totalling 31 minutes.

Veliz hits hat-trick for Espanyol

Veliz joined Espanyol on a season-long loan in the summer, and things are certainly looking up for the 21-year-old forward.

He has featured in every game so far this season for the Spanish outfit, and got his first goal for the club back in August with an injury-time equaliser against Rayo Vallecano.

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Now, Veliz has just registered his first career hat-trick in a comprehensive victory over San Tirso in the Copa del Rey.

Veliz bagged his first shortly after half-time, but had to wait until the final moments of the game to double and then triple his tally, scoring in the 86th minute and the 90th minute.

What does the future have in store for Veliz?

It’s quite difficult to figure out whether Veliz actually has a future at Spurs. With Dominic Solanke and Richarlison being Postecoglou’s main strikers, and the emergence of Will Lankshear, the first-team squad feels well-stocked in the forward area. That’s not taking into account Dane Scarlett, too, who you’d hope can push on and make something of himself at Spurs.

According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are looking at potential additions to their midfield and one Serie A star has now caught their eye.

Spurs are long-term admirers of AC Milan man

The player in question is Tijjani Reijnders, who has been a revelation since swapping AZ Alkmaar for AC Milan in the summer of 2023.

The 26-year-old, who is capable of operating as a six or in a more advanced role, has become a regular in the Netherlands national team of late.

His performances have now allegedly caught the attention of several clubs, including Tottenham, who have been interested in him since before his move to Milan, according to TBR Football.

Spurs face a lot of competition

The report says that Spurs are continuing to keep track of Reijnders while Liverpool have also been making checks on him this season.

Those two clubs have now also been joined by Manchester City, who have been ‘hugely impressed’ by the midfielder’s displays at the San Siro.

The queue of interested clubs does not end there, with the outlet revealing that Paris Saint-Germain and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on the player’s situation.

Milan’s stance on Tijjani Reijnders

AC Milan are said to be well aware that their midfield general is now attracting plenty of interest from across the continent. The Rossoneri are pleased with his performances and have begun work to keep him out of the clutches of the aforementioned clubs.

Even though Reijnders only arrived in Milan last year, Paulo Fonseca’s men are now thought to be ready to open talks with the Dutchman over a new long-term deal.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they face high-flying Aston Villa this weekend. Here are all the details you need to watch the game.

Last time out, Spurs fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, with Ange Postecoglou‘s men putting in a very poor showing at Selhurst Park.

The result leaves Tottenham in eighth place in the Premier League table with 13 points from nine games. Suffice it to say, Postecoglou will need his players to perform a lot better this weekend if they are to get back on track.

Meanwhile, Villa are fourth in the table despite dropping points against Bournemouth last weekend, and have lost just one game all season.

When and where is the game?

The game will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

A 2:00 pm kick-off is scheduled for the clash between Spurs and Aston Villa.

How to watch Spurs vs Aston Villa

Sky Sports customers can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

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Coverage begins at 1:00 pm with pre-match build-up, and post-match analysis will run straight through into the pre-game discussions for the Manchester United vs Chelsea match.

If you don’t have Sky Sports, you’ll have to wait for Match of the Day 2 to catch extended highlights.

Spurs team news

Tottenham will be without Wilson Odobert, who is facing an extended stay on the sidelines after a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The young Frenchman made a brief return in the Europa League against AZ Alkmaar, but was out of the matchday squad for the trip to Palace last weekend.

Ahead of the Manchester City game this week, Postecoglou revealed Odobert had suffered a “serious” setback and that the injury was linked to his previous issue.

Both Djed Spence and Heung-min Son have missed the last couple of games, but could well be back for the weekend. They are to be assessed this week ahead of the game against Villa.

Spurs will need to be at their best

The only thing giving me hope of a result here is the fact Spurs are at home. Villa are looking great again this season, and will very likely put Tottenham under a lot of pressure throughout. If we can take the lead, we have a chance, but even my most optimistic prediction has us down for a score draw.

According to reports, one Spanish side is certain that their midfielder will be a Tottenham Hotspur player by next summer.

Tottenham’s unusual transfer agreement with Real Betis

As part of the agreement to sell Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis, Spurs secured an option to sign Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso next summer.

The option is reportedly worth £25m and is only thought to be valid for a two-week period in June of next year (The Telegraph).

Betis expect Tottenham to activate option

Tuesday’s print edition of ABC Sevilla (as relayed by Sport Witness) have now offered an update on Johnny Cadroso’s future. The update states that the 23-year-old’s future ‘points to’ Tottenham, with Betis considering the deal to be almost a certainty.

In fact, the publication suggests that the midfielder is sure to leave Estadio Benito Villamarin at the end of the season as the La Liga club would sell him to another club if Spurs do not activate the option.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham view the deal the same way.

Is Cardoso of the required standard?

While there is no doubt that Ange Postecoglou’s men will be on the lookout for a new number six next summer, the jury is still out on whether Cardoso is good enough for a team of Tottenham’s aspirations.

The fact that the American has not been a regular starter for Betis this season suggests that he is not ready to make the step up to the highest level.

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this Sunday with a challenging test against an in-form Aston Villa.

Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, Spurs will be looking to build on their momentum in the league. Despite some recent inconsistency, Ange Postecoglou’s side have shown moments of real quality this season, and they’ll be eager to put on a show for the home crowd.

Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, arrive with ambitions of their own, looking to bounce back after their Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Known for their disciplined structure and ability to strike on the break, Villa will look to use their strengths to cause problems for Spurs, setting up an intriguing clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What time does Tottenham v Aston Villa kick-off?

How both teams go into Tottenham v Aston Villa

Tottenham approach this fixture with a mix of recent results, having narrowly lost to Crystal Palace in the league before delivering a spirited 2-1 win against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. Though Postecoglou’s men have battled with consistency, their undefeated home form adds confidence as they face Villa.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have shown strength on the road, maintaining an unbeaten record in their last six away matches. With a full squad available, Emery’s team will be eager to carry forward their strong league form, ready to challenge Spurs in a high-stakes clash.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs face some potential absences, with Micky van de Ven expected to sit out due to a hamstring strain suffered against Manchester City. Wilson Odobert is sidelined with a hamstring injury from training, and Djed Spence is doubtful as he continues to recover from a groin issue.

Cristian Romero and Timo Werner, both substituted early midweek, are under close watch for recovery; Romero experienced some muscle tightness, while Werner appeared to have a minor groin concern.

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The good news is captain Heung-min Son is hopefully ready to start once again and return to the action after having missed the last 2 games.

Aston Villa Team News

Villa have no injury issues ahead of this game, giving Emery a full selection to choose from. With key players like Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran available, Villa will be confident in putting their best foot forward as they look to maintain their unbeaten away streak.

Predicted Tottenham Line-Up

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Our Prediction

This match promises to be a tactical battle, with Spurs likely to press high and look for opportunities to create overloads in the final third. Postecoglou’s squad employs a high-octane, aggressive style, prioritising intense pressing and quick ball recovery to create goal-scoring chances. However, this style of play proves to be less effective against teams that sit deep, closing down spaces and limiting creative opportunities.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, are adept at counter-attacking, with a methodical approach in defence that doesn’t force play unnecessarily. They favour direct passes into spaces behind the opposition’s backline, unafraid of risking possession in order to craft high-reward opportunities.

Spurs will need to capitalise on turnovers, using their central midfield to intercept and initiate swift counters, as Villa’s defensive structure transitions to a low block that becomes particularly challenging to break once they take the lead.

Furthermore, Spurs’ backline must remain vigilant against Jhon Duran, who averages 2.3 shots on target per match and could pose a considerable threat to Vicario’s goal. With both teams excelling in attack, the game is likely to feature plenty of action on both ends, with Tottenham’s home advantage giving them a slight edge.

Leon Osman says Ange Postecoglou did something that he does not normally do after seeing his side deliver a lacklustre performance against Crystal Palace.

Tottenham’s worst display of the season

One can make the case that Spurs’ showing at Selhurst Park was their worst of the season so far.

While the Lilywhites have had periods of dominance in all of their other matches, even the ones they have lost, they failed to get going against the Eagles and struggled to create opportunities.

Postecoglou was visibly angry during his post-match media duties, giving a spiky response to one reporter’s question. The Australian said he’d be ‘very surprised’ if the travelling supporters were ‘happy’, to which a reporter said (via talkSPORT): “Because you’re not happy, obviously”.

The question evidently struck a nerve with Postecoglou, who fired back: “Why would I be happy? Is there a question there? Why would I be happy about today when our supporters, so our supporters are unhappy, I’m unhappy, the players are unhappy, I think that’s a fair assessment.”

Leon Osmon on Postecoglou’s frustration

Osmon admitted that he had never seen the Tottenham head coach’s frustrations boil over as they did after the game on Sunday.

He suggested that the 59-year-old would have been particularly upset by the fact that his players did not work as hard as their Palace counterparts.

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The former Everton man told Premier League Productions: “You show character in those moments, and I’ve never seen him as frosty as that in interviews. You can be outplayed at times, the opposition can show more quality.

“But they better not outwork us or show more bottle, and that seems like where he’s very disappointed with his team.”

Lack of fight is now a pattern for Spurs

This was the second away game in a row where the Tottenham players simply could not cope with the opposition’s intensity once the home side built momentum and got the crowd on their side.

While some brushed the second-half showing against Brighton as a rare anomaly, the display against Palace showed that it is indeed a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed.

Micky van de Ven pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury in midweek, and the Spurs defender has now posted on Instagram to offer some insight into his situation.

A tearful Micky van de Ven limps off

Ange Postecoglou decided to play Micky van de Ven from the start against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup this week, opting to play the Dutchman at left-back.

However, van de Ven’s night lasted just 14 minutes before he suffered a strain in his hamstring, and had to be replaced by Destiny Udogie.

Speaking after the win over City, Postecoglou said: “Micky felt something in his hamstring. I haven’t got the full update on him but he definitely felt something and we’ll see how he is.”

During the broadcast of the game on Sky Sports Main Event (30/10/24 at 20:56), pundit Alan Smith suggested the fact van de Ven returned to the bench after vacating the field was a positive sign.

According to the reputable Physio Scout, van de Ven showed signs of tightness and, if that’s all the injury is, he may be out for less than a week, but the worst-case scenario would see the defender out for up to six weeks.

Van de Ven will be ‘back soon’

It is still unclear how long van de Ven will be out, but the player himself has offered a clue on Instagram, and we would assume it means he will at the very least miss the Aston Villa game this weekend.

The 23-year-old posted a rather sombre black and white photo of himself, with the caption “Be back soon.” Given the dramatic tone of the post, it’s unlikely he will be making a rapid return to action.

See you after the international break, Micky

Our best-educated guess would be that van de Ven will be out until late November, and we wouldn’t expect to see him playing for Spurs again until after the international break. The Europa League game against Roma on 28 November could be a good date for his return.

Louis Saha explains why Tottenham Hotspur fans should not be panicking just yet and what he thinks of the job that Ange Postecoglou has done at the club so far.

Ange Postecoglou is now a man under pressure

Postecoglou has certainly not been shy of talking up Tottenham’s ambitions this season but his stated goal of competing at the top end of the table and winning silverware now appears far-fetched.

Spurs’ away record continues to be extremely poor and there are now an increasing number of fans and pundits questioning whether the Australian is the right man to take the Lilywhites to the next level.

With Tottenham now set to embark on a tough run of fixtures, the 59-year-old now faces a tricky challenge to get his side back on track.

Louis Saha’s confident claim

However, Saha is still a big fan of Postecoglou, insisting that the former Celtic boss has got a lot of his decisions right since taking over at N17.

The Frenchman is confident that Tottenham are going to be involved in the race for the top four spots this season, backing his former club to bounce back from their current predicament.

When asked if Postecoglou is under pressure and where he thinks Spurs will finish, Saha told Betfred: “I really like his style as a manager and his communication skills are right. His identity is clear and the players under him have improved.

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“He’s brought in young players that have done well for him, such as Brennan Johnson, and there are a lot of things that he’s done well. I still believe Tottenham are going to be in the race for the top four and I believe fifth is the minimum requirement for Spurs.

“It’s a difficult Premier League season for everybody, but I do have a lot of faith in Postecoglou. Bad results happen, but I do believe Tottenham will bounce back.”

Transition was never going to be smooth

This transitionary phase was always going to be a bumpy ride and there have undoubtedly been major improvements in Postecoglou’s second season in charge, even though they have not always translated into results.

However, football is a results-based industry and the pressure on the Tottenham head coach will undoubtedly grow if he does not manage to quickly steady the ship.