Shocking moment woman is handcuffed and fined £100 by police for feeding pigeons in London
Woman handcuffed and fined by police for feeding pigeons in London
Spurs desperate for a win in third round as pressure mounts on Thomas Frank
High-profile tie: Tottenham host Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri
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Tottenham face Aston Villa in the FA Cup this evening.
Spurs meet high-flying Premier League opposition in the third round of a competition which represents the club’s final realistic chance of winning any silverware this term.
The club remain in the Champions League, though are in a fight to qualify for the last-16 stage, and are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
So, defeat - a fourth on the spin against Villa - could spell the end of Spurs’ season and pile more pressure on under-fire boss Thomas Frank.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 5.45pm GMT kick-off today on Saturday January 10, 2026.
The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Where to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1.
Coverage starts on TNT Sports at 5pm, with the free-to-air coverage on the BBC beginning at 5.30pm.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest for free live online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website. TNT Sports subscribers can use the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa team news
Spurs star Mohammed Kudus is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up a quad injury against Sunderland, and Lucas Bergvall is expected to join him after coming off against Bournemouth.
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Mathys Tel deserves to keep his spot on the left-hand side of the attack, but Randal Kolo Muani did little to suggest in the 3-2 loss in midweek that Richarlison should stay on the bench. Archie Gray will be pushing to return, potentially in place of the injured Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring).
Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin could each get a start in central defence, with captain Cristian Romero now serving a one-match ban and been fined £50,000 on Friday after admitting a Football Association (FA) charge relating to his reaction to being sent off late on against Liverpool last month.
The game is likely to come too soon for both Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke, with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out. Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Aston Villa remain without the influential Amadou Onana, who has a hamstring injury, but the form of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans means little has been lost from midfield.
Emi Martinez is out after the goalkeeper withdrew at half-time of Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but deputy Marco Bizot was expected to start here in any case.
Ian Maatsen will hope to start, along with Donyell Malen and Emi Buendia, with all three coming off the bench in midweek.
Tyrone Mings (hamstring) is edging towards a return, but is not expected to start in north London. Evann Guessand remains at AFCON and Ross Barkley is injured.
Injury blow: Mohammed Kudus is set to miss out for Tottenham
Action Images via Reuters
Tottenham vs Aston Villa prediction
Until recently, Aston Villa had a poor record in the FA Cup. A run of seven consecutive third-round exits ended in 2024 with a fourth-round loss, before last season’s run to the semi-finals.
It remains to be seen how seriously Unai Emery takes the competition, given their superior chances of winning the Europa League and a push to finish in the Premier League top five.
But, no matter the team selection, Villa will be confident of getting a result against a team they have often got the better of recently.
Spurs are in disarray, and another defeat at home will surely spell the end of Frank’s time in charge.
Morale is through the floor and there is little confidence of the head coach being able to corral his troops to see off an impressive side.
Aston Villa to win, 2-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Spurs have lost their last three matches in a row against Villa. They last lost four in a row against the same side in 1996.
Tottenham wins: 79
Aston Villa wins: 63
Draws: 36
Tottenham vs Aston Villa match odds
Tottenham to win: 13/8
Aston Villa to win: 6/4
Draw: 12/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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Tottenham today begin their campaign to mark 125 years since they became the first, and to date only, non-league club to win the FA Cup.
To commemorate the anniversary, Spurs’ first team will wear a special edition 1901 kit during this evening’s FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa.
The shirt will feature a heritage crest and will appear in Lilywhite, with no player surnames featured on the back to reflect how the shirt would have looked in 1901.
The shirts will be auctioned via MatchWornShirt, with part of the proceeds donated to the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
The 1901 FA Cup trophy will also be showcased at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while there will be a commemorative edition of the matchday programme on sale.
The north Londoners have won a total of eight FA Cup titles, with their last victory in the competition coming in 1991, when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 after extra time.
On the campaign, Duncan Pass, Tottenham's Merchandise & Licensing Director, said: “To mark 125 years since our groundbreaking FA Cup success in 1901, we want to bring what remains a historic achievement to the forefront of popular culture with what is a truly beautiful shirt, delivered in collaboration with Nike.
“Seeing the team step onto the pitch wearing a shirt inspired by the heroes of yesteryear is sure to capture the imagination of fans young and old, creating a unique collectors’ item that will itself go down in the club’s history.”
Spurs are in turmoil, with manager Thomas Frank fighting to keep his job after a defeat at Bournemouth which saw players angrily confront away fans at the end.
Another defeat tonight will effectively end Spurs’ season in January. While qualifying for next season’s Champions League cannot yet be ruled out, all realistic chances of silverware will be over.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, will likely view this competition as a realistic chance to end their 20-year trophy drought, though could prioritise the Europa League and their push to finish in the Premier League’s top three.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1.
Coverage starts on TNT Sports at 5pm, with the free-to-air coverage on the BBC beginning at 5.30pm.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest for free live online via the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. TNT Sports subscribers can use the Discovery+ app and website.
Yet more pressure is building on Tottenham and its hierarchy after a supporters’ group hit out at a perceived “dramatic fall in ambition” in a new statement.
The good feeling about the club which came with May’s Europa League triumph quickly dissipated with the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, and the mood has only grown more sour amid the side’s struggles under Thomas Frank, under whose leadership Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank’s frayed relationship with fans has been made manifest in a chorus of boos after several recent matches, and THST has now held talks with the club’s representatives to make their feelings clear.
In a statement released Friday evening, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust highlighted poor results, Frank’s pessimistic attitude in press conferences and the club’s inaction in the transfer window as particular points of concern and called for improved communications between the club and its fans.
The statement read: “The THST Board has been engaged with the senior leadership of the football club throughout recent weeks and months and has repeatedly raised supporters’ concerns with them.
“Whilst we acknowledge the changes in personnel behind the scenes at the Club, this has regrettably not been matched with improvements on the pitch.”
“There also appears to be a dramatic fall in ambition for the football club, as evidenced by the transfer window to date and repeated statements by Thomas Frank, reminding supporters that the Club finished 17th in the Premier League last season, that the Club is only participating in the Champions League through winning the Europa League, and that Bournemouth (a side without a win in 11 games) are “always a difficult team” and that’s he is “not enjoying the job”.
“We stressed that fans need to hear directly from the Club leadership the ambition for the football club for this season, for next season, and for the foreseeable future.
“That begins, but is certainly not restricted to, the coming transfer window, in which all the stops need to be pulled out in order to demonstrate that Tottenham Hotspur are a serious football club and that we really do want to “win more, more often”.”
The statement also hit out at the “embarrassing” incidents of Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro clashing with fans in the away end after Wednesday’s defeat by Bournemouth, and Frank drinking out of an Arsenal-branded cup.
Thomas Frank has confirmed that Tottenham will be without winger Mohammed Kudus until after the March international break.
The 25-year-old suffered a quad injury during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, and will not be back fit until early April.
“Kudus is a bigger one, to the tendon and quad, and don't expect him back until after the March international break,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also facing a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Spurs’ damaging 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday.
The Uruguayan was replaced late on by Archie Gray at the Vitality Stadium, and Frank said the injury was worse than first feared.
Lucas Bergvall will also be assessed after coming off against Bournemouth with what appeared to be a muscle injury.
“Lucas is being assessed today. We'll know more later today with him.
“Same with Rodri. Rodri is a hamstring injury, looks like a bigger one. We don't know the extent yet.”
With Bentancur and potentially Bergvall set to be out for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa, Frank has yet more decisions to make in midfield.
Joao Palhinha came back into the starting lineup against Bournemouth and scored an overhead kick to level the scores in the second half.
He could be rewarded with another start against Villa, while Gray could be brought back in after starting on the bench against Bournemouth.
Frank switched up his attack against Andoni Iraola’s side, starting Randal Kolo Muani as the central striker.
The Frenchman was, however, ineffectual given the chance to impress in his favoured position and could make way for Richarlison, who nearly scored off the bench as Spurs rallied late on.
Spurs know their season could end on Saturday
Tottenham vs Aston Villa in FA Cup third round
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham welcome Aston Villa to town on Saturday with a desperate need to keep their season alive.
Spurs face off against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup third round, a competition which represents the club’s final realistic chance of winning silverware this term.
The club remain in the Champions League, though they are in a fight to qualify for the last-16 stage, and are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
So, defeat - fourth on the spin against Aston Villa - could spell the end of Spurs’ season.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 5.35pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Getty Images
Where to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1.
Coverage starts on TNT Sports at 5pm, with the free-to-air coverage on the BBC beginning at 5.30pm.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest for free live online via the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. TNT Sports subscribers can use the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa team news
Mohamed Kudus is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Sunderland, and Lucas Bergvall is expected to join him on the sidelines after coming off against Bournemouth.
Mathys Tel deserves to keep his spot on the left-hand side of the attack, but Randal Kolo Muani did little to suggest in the 3-2 loss that Richarlison should stay on the bench. Archie Gray will be pushing to return, potentially in place of the ever-underwhelming Rodrigo Bentancur. Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin could get a start in central defence.
Aston Villa remain without the influential Amadou Onana, who has a hamstring injury, but the form of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans means little has lost from midfield. There are concerns over Emi Martinez after the goalkeeper withdrew at half-time of Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but Marco Bizot was expected to start in any case.
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Ian Maatsen will hope to start, along with Donyell Malen and Emi Buendia, with all three coming off the bench in midweek. Tyrone Mings (hamstring) is edging towards a return, but is not expected to start in north London. Evann Guessand remains absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mohammed Kudus is set to miss out
Action Images via Reuters
Tottenham vs Aston Villa prediction
Until recently, Aston Villa had a poor record in the FA Cup. A run of seven consecutive third-round exits ended in 2024 with a fourth-round exit, before last season’s run to the semi-finals. It remains to be seen how seriously Unai Emery takes the competition, given their superior chances of winning the Europa League and a push to finish in the Premier League top five.
But, no matter the team selection, Villa will be confident of getting a result against a team they have often got the better of recently. Spurs are in disarray, and another defeat at home will surely spell the end of Thomas Frank’s time in charge. Morale is through the floor and there is little confidence of the head coach being able to corral his troops to see off an impressive side.
Aston Villa to win, 2-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Spurs have now lost their last three in a row against Aston Villa. They last lost four in a row against the same side in 1996.
Tottenham wins: 79
Aston Villa wins: 63
Draws: 36
Tottenham vs Aston Villa match odds
Tottenham to win: 11/8
Aston Villa to win: 8/5
Draw: 15/8
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
MORE ABOUT
Scenes after the game saw Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro confront angry travelling Spurs fans at the Vitality Stadium. Video footage showed Porro being dragged away by team-mate Guglielmo Vicario before Frank approached the away end to deafening boos.
Romero wrote on Instagram: “Apologies to all fans of you who follow us everywhere, who are always there and will continue to be. We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that. I am the first. But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.
“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t - as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.
“We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all togetheris part of football. All together, it will be easier [at Tottenham}.”
Porro and striker Richarlison have since replied to the post by supporting their captain, while the likes of Xavi Simons and Radu Dragusin have liked it.
It is not the first time Romero has publicly hit out at the Spurs hierarchy. Speaking in December 2024, following a defeat to Chelsea, Romero said: "You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they [the board] realise it.
"The last few years, it's always the same - first the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.
"Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year."
Thomas Frank has issued a worrying update on the shape of Lucas Bergvall after he suffered a fresh injury against Bournemouth.
The young Swede has struggled with injuries throughout this season, and went down injured in the second half at the Vitality Stadium as Spurs were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth.
He appeared to be in considerable discomfort, but walked off under his own volition.
Despite that, Frank issued a worrying prognosis, saying the injury seemed ‘not top’.
"Yeah, of course. I don't know exactly the update,” he explained. “My initial thought is probably not top with Lucas, when he is off second time (in four games)."
Rodrigo Bentancur also seemed to pick up an issue in the second half. He was replaced by Archie Gray four minutes from time, but Frank would not be goaded when asked to issue an update on his condition.
Pressed as to whether the injury could lead him to invest in the transfer market, Frank explained: “As I said, quite a few times we are in the market. The club is working very hard, they can.
“It's difficult in January. We need to get players in that can improve the squad.”
Spurs could have done with the assistance of the injured Mohammed Kudus on Wednesday as they struggled to trouble the Bournemouth back line.
No specific prognosis has yet been offered for the Ghanaian, and Frank could not provide an update on his condition at full time.
The result, sealed by a 95th-minute winner by Antoine Semenyo, leaves Spurs with just one win in their last six Premier League outings, and supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with subpar results.
Fans have booed Thomas Frank enthusiastically after recent draws with Brentford and Sunderland, and the same was true at the Vitality.
This time, though, Frank’s players leapt to his defence. Video shared on X appears to show Van de Ven, a member of Frank’s first-team leadership group, approach the away end and engage in a heated confrontation with a fan seated in the front row.
He was ushered away by a staff member, before Porro followed suit. The Argentine seemed furious and needed to be held back from the fan by a group of stewards.
Palhinha, who scored a stunning bicycle kick to level the match at 2-2 before Semenyo’s winner, seemed to be playing the role of peacemaker.
Reacting to the away end’s criticisms at full-time, Palhinha told Sky Sports: “It was just the supporters sharing their frustration. We of course understand, we respect, first of all.
“And I just said that we are fighting for all the same. We want to win, not just the players, the staff, the supporters.”
“We are trying to get the victories that, in my opinion, we should deserve the last games. I just want to say, like I said to our fans, keep supporting us, because we will change that momentum.
“The victories will come, I don't have any doubt about that. And yeah, it's frustrating.”
His own relationship with fans is more strained than ever, and has not been helped after he was pictured sipping from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of the Bournemouth match.
“I haven't seen that situation, that's one thing. I think it's fair to say everyone involved in Tottenham, players, staff, fans, everyone is a tough one to take today.
“I think hopefully everyone can see how hard we worked to get everything in the right direction. And I think overall the performance was good, especially in the second half, in a game where we deserved to get more.