Djed Spence is still trying to settle at Tottenham Hotspur under Roberto De Zerbi, and the game against Aston Villa could be an important test for him, with Destiny Udogie close to returning and competition for his place getting stronger.
Djed Spence’s place in the Tottenham Hotspur remains uncertain in the early stages of Roberto De Zerbi’s reign, as he is still working to fully establish himself in the manager’s plans. This uncertainty has already been reflected in his involvement, with the defender named on the bench twice in the first three games under the new boss, including one match where he did not come on at all.
As a result of that limited involvement, he has struggled to lock down a regular starting role this season, playing only a few games compared to being a regular starter across the campaign. That situation has also seen him fall behind Destiny Udogie in the pecking order, although injuries have recently opened the door for him to play again.
However, with Udogie close to returning after a muscle injury, that competition is set to intensify once more, with the left-back potentially back in action as soon as Sunday. Given Udogie’s importance, Spence has mostly been used as his backup, with the club showing strong trust in the Italian defender. That level of competition has made opportunities harder to come by, although there have been moments where both players have featured together.
Earlier this year, under former manager Thomas Frank, they were both involved in a memorable 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund during the Lilywhites time in the Champions League, where Udogie played in his usual defensive role while Spence was pushed further forward and used as a left winger, highlighting his versatility.
Looking back at their first Premier League win against Wolves, Spence did show some encouraging signs when he started, offering flashes of what he can bring and reminding people of his ability when given a chance.
Djed Spence gave a positive showing for Tottenham in the win over Wolves
This season, Djed Spence has been more involved in situations leading to goals conceded than in creating chances for Tottenham going forward. That lack of attacking output is highlighted by the fact he is still waiting for his first goal or assist in all competitions, something that will not go unnoticed as Spurs continue to push for results in the Premier League.
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Because of that, his impact in the final third has come under scrutiny, even though he regularly gets into advanced positions. He has managed just four big chances created and a low number of key passes per game, suggesting he has not yet been consistent enough in attack.
That is especially important in Roberto De Zerbi’s system, which relies heavily on wing-backs in a 3-2-5 shape. However, Spence has not fully delivered in that role so far, and remains without a goal contribution this season, which limits his case for a regular place.
As a result, his overall attacking numbers remain modest, with just 10 chances created in 24 league appearances, underlining his limited output compared to other defenders in similar roles.
Even so, there are still positives in his game, particularly his ability to carry the ball forward. He has completed 26 dribbles this season, showing he can progress play when space opens up, and that quality was clear again against Wolves.
At Molineux, he completed four dribbles from six attempts, a clear improvement on his usual output, and while the opposition should be considered, it still showed more confidence on the ball. He also earned a 7.8 rating on FotMob for his performance, reflecting a solid display.
Building on that, he also stood out for his forward carries, which highlighted his ability to drive Tottenham up the pitch. These are qualities Spurs have lacked at times, but with Destiny Udogie close to returning, it remains to be seen if it is enough to secure his place under De Zerbi.
Why Spence could be important for Spurs vs Aston Villa clash
Aston Villa have shown weakness on their left side this season, and that is an area Tottenham may look to target, with Spence likely to play an important role in that plan. Because of that, Spurs are expected to attack more down that flank, as Villa have been more open there compared to other areas.
With Tottenham also missing attackers like Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mohammed Kudus, they may need to rely more on wide play to create chances. That means more responsibility could fall on players like Mathys Tel or Lucas Bergvall, depending on who starts. No matter who plays, Spurs will need good movement and quick link-up play to break Villa down.
From there, Spence’s connection with the player ahead of him will be important. If he can time his overlaps well and combine with simple passes, Spurs could find space in good areas.
Adding to that, Aston Villa’s form has dropped in recent weeks, which gives Tottenham some hope going into the game. While Spurs are also struggling and sit in the bottom three, Villa are not as strong as they were earlier in the season when they went on a long unbeaten run.
Because of this dip in form, the game could be more open than expected, giving Spurs a better chance to compete and take advantage if Villa are off their best. The Lilywhite are currently in a tough position, sitting 18th in the league and fighting for every point to avoid relegation.
With four Premier League matches left, every game now matters, and a strong showing from Spence against Villa could be important. If he performs well, whether as cover for Udogie or in a more advanced role, this match could help decide his future at the club.
