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Tottenham return to the Champions League this week as Thomas Frank prepares to lead his side out in Europe for the first time. Let’s now take a look at our predicted Tottenham XI to face Villarreal.

Thomas Frank would have been pleased with the reaction from his Tottenham Hotspur players, who delivered a convincing 3-0 victory against West Ham United at the London Stadium in the Premier League, a strong response after the disappointment of losing to Bournemouth in matchweek three.

Attention now turns to European football as Spurs make their long-awaited return to the Champions League following a two-year absence, and the first challenge sees Villarreal arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

For Frank, this tie marks his debut in Europe’s elite competition, and given the weight of the occasion, he will be eager for his side to put down a marker in front of the home crowd. Let us now see how Thomas Frank could line up this midweek.

Predicted Tottenham XI vs Villarreal in the Champions League

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario: The Italian has been almost flawless under Thomas Frank this season, conceding only once while keeping three clean sheets, and he is certain to continue between the posts.

Right-back – Pedro Porro: The Spaniard produced an improved display when up against Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville and Diouf down Tottenham’s right, and while Djed Spence is an option, we do not expect Frank to rotate here.

Centre-back – Cristian Romero: Fresh from an assist and a clean sheet against West Ham, Romero has quietly been one of Spurs’ most consistent performers, and given the importance of starting with a win, we expect the Argentine to anchor the backline again.

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Centre-back – Micky van de Ven: Tottenham’s defensive partnership looks settled, and van de Ven, who also found the net last time out, should once again be paired with Romero in central defence.

Left-back – Destiny Udogie: The Italian has been steadily building up his fitness with substitute appearances and looks ready to return from the off in this European tie.

Pivot midfielder – Joao Palhinha: Since making the move to north London, the Portuguese international has been commanding in midfield, and Frank is unlikely to leave him out of such a crucial encounter.

Pivot midfielder – Rodrigo Bentancur: Lucas Bergvall impressed when handed a start against West Ham, but we expect Bentancur to be restored to the line-up to bring some control and experience in midfield.

Centre-midfielder – Xavi Simons: Deployed from the left in the Premier League last time, Simons showed flashes of his quality, but in this tie against Villarreal, he could take up the number ten role on his Spurs European debut.

Right midfielder – Mohammed Kudus: The Ghana international has featured in every Tottenham game this season and continues to be a vital outlet, so it is highly likely that Frank sticks with him again.

Striker – Richarlison: With Mathys Tel handed a chance in the Premier League but unavailable for the Champions League squad, Richarlison is set to lead the line and will look to seize his opportunity under the European spotlight.

Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a first Champions League campaign since 2022/23 and the Opta Supercomputer has predicted their chances of success.

Tottenham Hotspur were successful in Europe last season, winning the Europa League for a third time. Spurs overcame setbacks and lifted the trophy against all odds, earning automatic qualification into the Champions League.

However, the best club tournament in football is a big step up from the Europa League. Tottenham have failed to make it past the last 16 stage the past two times they have competed in the competition, falling to defeat against RB Leipzig and AC Milan.

Spurs will be playing in the Champions League for the first time since the new format was introduced and it means there is a greater chance of making it past the opening stage.

Despite this, a finish outside the top eight would require Tottenham to play an additional round before making it all the way to Budapest.

Opta Supercomputer gives Tottenham little chance of winning the Champions League

The Opta Supercomputer predicted Tottenham would finish 14th in the Premier League before their campaign began.

It has been equally harsh to Spurs ahead of the Champions League, predicting they have no more than a 1.1 per cent chance of winning the tournament. This is the least of all the English sides, including Newcastle United who have a 3 per cent chance (Opta Analyst).

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Tottenham may have made the final six years ago, but there is only a 2.8 per cent chance of this happening again, according to the Supercomputer.

The chances of Spurs reaching the semi-finals are slightly higher at 8.5 per cent, while the North London club are 22.9 per cent likely to make the quarter-finals.

It is important to note that the Supercomputer does not predict an outright winner in the same way pundits would.

Liverpool have been given the highest chance of victory and even they are only at 20.4 per cent.

Spurs can beat the odds of the Supercomputer

The Supercomputer has already shown its limitations by predicting Tottenham to finish so low in the Premier League table. It is certainly hard to believe that Newcastle are almost three times as likely to win the Champions League than Spurs are.

Very few backed Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham team to win the Europa League, including most Spurs supporters, but they did.

Winning the competition does seem unlikely at this point in time, but Thomas Frank has already built a strong team that could well go far in the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur kick off their 25/26 Champions League campaign as they host Spanish side Villarreal on Tuesday. Both sides return to Europe’s biggest stage after years away and will be eager to make a strong start in the group.

Two seasons later, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally lights up for Champions League nights. It has been a long-awaited return and one that has been earned the hard way.

From getting knocked out in the round of 16 in the 22/23 season, to finishing fifth the following year, to then lifting the Europa League title last season, which ultimately secured Spurs a spot in the Champions League. That is Tottenham in a nutshell.

It has been a positive start to life under new manager Thomas Frank as well. Spurs currently sit third in the Premier League with three wins in four matches and trail Arsenal only on goal difference.

Despite going into the international break on a low after a poor 0-1 defeat to Bournemouth, they responded by beating West Ham 3-0 in East London, their first win there in six years.

The visitors, Villarreal, arrive in London in a very similar situation to Spurs, but in La Liga. They are fourth in the table with two wins, a draw, and a defeat from their opening four games.

They looked sharp in their opening two matches but dropped points with a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo before losing 0-2 to Atletico Madrid before the international break.

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This is also Villarreal’s first Champions League appearance since the 21/22 season, and after years of mid-table finishes and Europa League adventures, last season’s fifth place secured their return.

What time does Tottenham vs Villarreal kick off?

Location: London, England

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Date: 17 September 2025

Kick off time: 8 pm BST

Referee: Rade Obrenovic

VAR: Alen Borosak

Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal: Head to head record

These two sides have faced each other only once before, fifteen years ago when Spurs were under Harry Redknapp. Villarreal won that friendly match 4-1.

Not a single player from either squad remains with the club today, which renders the previous meeting largely irrelevant for this contest.

Tottenham team news

Injury news will not have much relevance here since most of those sidelined were not included in the 22-man Champions League squad anyway. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Kota Takai, Radu Dragusin and Yves Bissouma are all out, while Dominic Solanke remains the closest to returning but is still expected to miss out with a short-term ankle injury.

Mathys Tel, who started the 3-0 win at West Ham, has also been omitted from Spurs’ squad for the competition.

Villarreal team news

The Spanish side will travel without Gerard Moreno, Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes, who are all out of contention.

Willy Kambwala is close to a return from a hamstring issue but remains doubtful for this fixture.

Predicted Tottenham line up

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Simons, Bergvall; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson

There is space for only one possible change in the back four. Djed Spence has been undroppable under Frank so far, and even if Destiny Udogie were to be included, it would likely be at left back with Spence shifting to the right in place of Pedro Porro.

Xavi Simons is expected to play centrally in the number ten role after drifting there naturally in the West Ham game despite being named as a number seven. That switch left the left wing free at times, which is why Brennan Johnson should start there, having come off the bench in that match.

Rodrigo Bentancur will likely keep his place after being an unused sub against West Ham, but there is a chance Frank might opt for Pape Sarr instead of Lucas Bergvall in midfield. Bergvall was impressive with a goal and an assist against West Ham, but Sarr has been the most consistent midfielder so far, and his form could earn him the nod.

Richarlison, despite not starting in East London, has been in good form with three goal contributions in three starts. That decision hinted at Frank saving him for this Champions League tie. However, expect Kolo Muani to make his Spurs debut off the bench in the second half to replace the Brazilian.

Our prediction

Despite both teams looking evenly matched in terms of recent form, Tottenham clearly have more quality across the pitch. The hunger and excitement to finally play Champions League football again will only fuel them further.

Xavi Simons is one to watch. He assisted on his Premier League debut without even being at his sharpest or in his natural position, and this occasion gives him the perfect stage to show more of his talent.

Another key man is Brennan Johnson. Known for showing up after a poor game and shushing the fans once he scores in the next; he underperformed against Bournemouth and so will be desperate to respond. Villarreal have been vulnerable at the back post, and that pretty explains everything.

Spurs have conceded just once in four league games and if they can hold off Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, it will not be easy for Villarreal to break them down.

Tottenham are stepping into a new era without Daniel Levy, and with the Lewis family holding the reins, there is already talk of a fresh approach that promises greater ambition on the pitch.

Tottenham Hotspur started life after Daniel Levy with a win over West Ham United in the Premier League, marking the first time in 24 years that the club competed without the former chairman at the helm.

Levy’s tenure delivered only two trophies across more than two decades, with their last success coming in Bilbao, Spain, when Tottenham lifted the Europa League.

Off the pitch, however, Levy transformed Tottenham into one of the most profitable sides in the game, making the club a financial powerhouse during his time in charge, even if that balance sheet success did not always translate into consistent triumphs on the field.

Tottenham set for new Lewis family approach after Levy exit

It is a new era in the boardroom for Tottenham, and according to fresh reports from The Telegraph, it is understood that sources close to the Lewis family have stressed that this next phase at Spurs will be different.

Those sources claim that Spurs will not be driven by debt but instead by what they described as “proper” backing, designed to give Tottenham the best chance of sustained sporting success.

While there are no specific details yet on how the investment will be delivered, those same sources underlined that “the proof will be in the pudding” and suggested that plans are already being mapped out behind the scenes.

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The Lewis family, who remain majority owners, have already pledged to back Tottenham in a manner that reflects sporting ambition rather than purely financial stability.

ENIC have also promised investment at a level that is expected to run into nine figures, with talk of a fresh transfer strategy to follow as part of this shift in approach.

Spurs fans cautious despite promises of investment

For Spurs supporters, there is reason to be excited about the promise of change, yet there is also a natural sense of caution, as fans have grown weary of bold statements that are not always matched by decisive action in the market.

Levy’s final summer in charge saw Tottenham spend heavily, with Thomas Frank handed more than £150 million worth of transfer backing, showing that significant outlay is possible, though the jury remains out on whether that level of support will be repeated consistently.

Crucially, Spurs remain in a strong position regarding PSR rules, which means they are well placed to spend again if the Lewis family decide to push forward.

It now falls on the ownership to turn their words into action and show real intent in order to back the manager properly and drive Tottenham towards genuine progress.

Thomas Frank had a few light-hearted words for Micky van de Ven after the Dutch defender found the back of the net in Tottenham’s victory over West Ham United.

It was a team display by Tottenham Hotspur when they took to the field against West Ham United on Saturday at the London Stadium.

Tottenham were 3-0 victors against Graham Potter’s men, as every member of Frank’s side pulled their weight to ensure Spurs bounced back from their 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth last time out.

Micky van de Ven scored a goal to give Tottenham their third goal of the day, while centre-back Cristian Romero grabbed an assist for Spurs’ second against the Hammers.

Thomas Frank speaks on Micky van de Ven after Tottenham win

When asked about the defender’s goal and his reaction on the touchline, Frank revealed he had been joking with Van de Ven as the Dutchman made his way off the pitch.

That was only the 24-year-old’s first goal of the season, his fourth in the Premier League and his fifth as a Tottenham player.

Speaking to football.london, Frank revealed what he demands from van de Ven, he said: “Yes, I want a goal from him from set-pieces. It was a second phase set-piece but it did not count if it was left or right foot. I need a header.”

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Van de Ven’s growing role under Frank at Spurs

Of course, so far under new boss Thomas Frank, Tottenham have looked a threat on set pieces, with the Lilywhites having already scored from set plays with Pape Sarr’s goal against West Ham.

Van de Ven and Romero remain threats from set pieces and can contribute to Tottenham goals this season, which would be important to Frank.

The Dutchman has already earned a reputation for his eclectic pace, but it is clear that Frank wants more from the 24-year-old, who can definitely add more goals to his game.

Tottenham Hotspur fans could not hide their excitement after watching Xavi Simons make his debut in the Premier League, with many already convinced he looks like a player who will light up the season.

Tottenham Hotspur began the post-Daniel Levy era in style, securing an emphatic 3-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Thomas Frank became the first Tottenham manager to win his opening two away fixtures in the Premier League, as Spurs carried on their strong start to life under the Dane.

The clash on Saturday also marked the debut of Xavi Simons, who joined just a few days before the summer transfer deadline, adding even more intrigue to an already lively afternoon.

Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons makes debut against West Ham

Simons marked his first appearance with an assist, delivering a pinpoint inswinging corner that was met perfectly by Pape Matar Sarr, who headed beyond the goalkeeper.

It was a solid outing for Spurs‘ new number seven, and now Tottenham fans have wasted little time in giving their verdict on the Dutchman, with many making the same point about his quality.

One supporter posted on X: “You can just see the quality instantly, he is going to be incredible.” Another wrote: “We have signed a superstar.”

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A third Tottenham fan said about Xavi Simons: “His corners are remarkably on point. His passing in general.” While one more commented: “Solid. I liked what I saw. Cannot wait to see him settle in.”

The praise continued as another said: “Absolutely brilliant! Looks the real deal,” while one final supporter kept it simple with: “Excellent.”

What next for Spurs and Simons?

Of course, this was only Xavi Simons’ first outing in a Tottenham shirt, but the early signs are positive, and it already looks as though he will grow into a key role under Thomas Frank.

The new Spurs boss will also be delighted to see his versatile midfielder making such an immediate impact, helping his side secure a comfortable win in his very first Premier League appearance.

Luka Vuskovic endured a difficult first outing in Germany as his Hamburg debut ended in a heavy defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich, with the Tottenham teenage defender given a stark reminder by Harry Kane and co.

Luka Vuskovic is a player with huge potential and talent, but Tottenham Hotspur decided that sending the young Croatian on loan was perfect for his development.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who showed promise during Tottenham’s pre-season matches, has since moved to Germany to represent newly promoted Hamburg.

And Vuskovic has not wasted any time in making his debut for the German outfit, as he played against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Luka Vuskovic struggles in first game since Tottenham exit

It was a debut to forget for the Tottenham youngster, who was on the back end of a rather humiliating defeat as Bayern ran riot with a 5-0 win over Hamburg.

Harry Kane was at the heart of the German champions’ five-star display, with the former Tottenham striker grabbing a brace, while Luis Diaz, Pavlovic and Serge Gnabry also found the scoresheet.

Vuskovic played all ninety minutes but could do little against Bayern, who were already four goals up by half-time, before adding one more in the second half to complete the rout.

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Vuskovic to learn from Hamburg’s defeat

It will no doubt serve as a learning curve for the young Croat, who will have been brought down to earth following such a difficult start.

He will now be looking to brush the loss aside and instead focus on Hamburg’s next clash, where the team will be desperate to respond with a much-improved showing.

Hamburg’s next fixture is against Heidenheim, who sit below them in the Bundesliga table, in what promises to be an early-season bottom-of-the-table clash between 17th and 18th.

Djed Spence has taken to social media after Tottenham’s derby day triumph, and the full-back could not resist aiming a subtle dig at West Ham United’s wide men.

Spence is finally playing football with a smile on his face, although that has not always been the case since his move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spence endured difficult spells as an outcast under Antonio Conte, when he struggled for regular minutes and was forced to watch from the sidelines, yet the defender has now turned his career around and is playing with confidence once again.

The 25-year-old has featured in all of Tottenham’s opening Premier League fixtures this season, contributing to three clean sheets in their first four fixtures.

Tottenham’s Djed Spence claims another winger victim

The clash against West Ham United on Saturday was Tottenham’s latest Premier League outing, and once again, Spence was named in the starting XI as a left-back.

He played his part in another solid defensive display, with Spurs keeping West Ham quiet across the ninety minutes as Thomas Frank’s side secured their third league win of the campaign.

Following the derby day victory, Spence posted on Instagram and aimed a slight dig at West Ham’s wingers with the caption: “Who does not love a derby win Penitentiary Expanded #GODSPEED.”

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Spence tipped to take on Kyle Walker role in England setup

Jarrod Bowen was the man operating on Djed Spence’s wing, and while the Tottenham full-back started the game a little slowly, struggling at times to match the winger’s movement, as the match wore on, he gradually nullified Bowen’s threat.

The 25-year-old did not just stand firm defensively but also offered energy going forward, often looking to overlap Xavi Simons whenever the opportunity arose, which gave Tottenham balance on both flanks.

Alan Sugar has launched a furious attack on Jamie Redknapp following the pundit’s latest comments about Daniel Levy’s time at Tottenham, with the former Spurs chairman making it clear he will be taking further action.

Tottenham Hotspur have begun the post-Daniel Levy era in the best way possible after their 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Members of the new Tottenham board were in attendance for that win, with representatives of the Lewis family and new CEO Vinai Venkatesham all present to witness the start of this new chapter.

It feels significant, as talk of more ambition continues to spread in the media, with supporters eager to see genuine change at the north London club, especially now that the Levy era has finally drawn to a close.

Daniel Levy may have faced constant criticism from Tottenham supporters during his long reign for his lack of ambition on the pitch, but the former chairman did deliver financial stability off the pitch, ensuring profits and growth during his tenure.

However, Jamie Redknapp recently suggested that when Levy first took charge, Alan Sugar had left Tottenham in a difficult position, and those words did not go down well with the ex-chairman.

Sugar hit back strongly on social media, blasting the former Spurs midfielder and making it clear that he intends to take the matter further.

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In his post, Sugar wrote: “Jamie Redknapp is a double barrel idiot. He talks a load of rubbish. He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and SKY will be hearing from my lawyers Monday.”

Spurs fans focused on the present under Thomas Frank

While Alan Sugar looks to take further action, Spurs fans are firmly focused on the present and what the future may hold under this new structure.

The supporters want the Lewis family to show ambition beyond just words, as promises have already been made, but the real measure will come in the transfer market when financial backing and intent are put to the test.

Cristian Romero has issued a message to Tottenham fans following their victory over West Ham United, with the Spurs captain showing his leadership qualities early in the season as the team continues to build momentum.

Cristian Romero would be hoping Tottenham Hotspur have a successful season under his captaincy, particularly after the club lifted the Europa League trophy last term.

Heung-min Son was the man who guided Spurs to that triumph, leaving Romero with sizeable boots to fill this campaign, yet the Argentine defender will be pleased with the way Tottenham have started the new season.

Three wins from their opening four Premier League fixtures, just one goal conceded and a clean sheet already on the board all point to genuine progress for Tottenham, who ended last season with a negative goal difference.

Cristian Romero sends message after Tottenham win over West Ham

Romero has been central to Tottenham’s defensive improvements, with the centre-back at the heart of the clean sheet against Manchester City in matchweek two, another clean sheet in the opening fixture, and an assist in the win over West Ham, where Spurs once again shut out the opposition.

Taking it step by step, Tottenham look to be building steadily, and following the victory against West Ham, Romero addressed the fans with a message on X, stating the importance of the result and the team’s commitment to improving.

Romero said, via his official account: “Big win, great team performance. No doubt we still need to keep improving, but this is the way. Incredible support from the fans – thank you! See you Tuesday at home.”

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Spurs kept Romero despite Atletico Madrid interest

Tottenham did run the risk of losing Romero to Atletico Madrid last summer, but the Lilywhites managed to keep him in N17, much to the relief of supporters.

With Cristian Romero having now signed a new contract, his focus is fully on Tottenham and on delivering success on the pitch as captain.