Tottenham Hotspur

One of the voices of European football on talkSPORT and Sky Sports, well known for The Football Ramble podcast, an author and writer for The Guardian - and a regular contributor here at Spurs for almost 10 years - Andy Brassell will give his view on our UEFA Champions League opponents as part of our '60 seconds on...' pre-match feature this season.

First up, MD1 of the league phase as the UCL returns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a fascinating clash against La Liga side Villarreal on Tuesday evening (8pm).

@andybrassell

Last time out...

Andy: "I watched Villarreal's game against Atletico at the weekend and they played pretty well, despite losing 2-0. They had moments when they had Atletico on the rack, they hit the post, the crossbar and gave a decent account of themselves. I thought that would be a test for Atletico because Villarreal have started the season really well."

Ins and outs

Andy: "Now, if you consider that they lost two big players in Alex Baena - to Atletico - and Thierno Barry, who is still finding his way at Everton, they've only latterly started to spend the money. They've added Georges Mikautadze from Lyon in the last two weeks, he made his debut in the Atletico game. He's quick, smart, makes great runs but, of course, he's still getting used to his new team. If you look at other signings, Tajon Buchanan (signed from Inter) has been really good so far as well, Alberto Moleiro, who came in nominally to replace Baena, from Las Palmas, 21, has a massive future, I believe."

Familiar foe

Andy: "Funnily enough, someone who didn't do as well in north London when he was here, Nicolas Pepe, has had a really good start to the season, probably in his best form since he was at Lille. He was so impressive there and that's easy to forget because he struggled at times at Arsenal."

'They're good - and getting better'

Andy: "Villarreal have a really good mix of experience and younger players, a great coach as well in Marcelino. They will provide a difficult enough task for the first game, but if you look at Spurs' home games, they've done okay out of the draw compared to, say, Newcastle, but this is a test. It's also worth mentioning that Villarreal did so well to win the battle against Betis to get into the top five of La Liga at the end of last season, a relentless end where they won their last six matches to finish fifth. They're good, and they're getting better, especially with the new signings coming in."

It's quiz time! Can you name every team we have ever faced in the UEFA Champions League?

As we prepare to kick-off our 2025/26 League Phase campaign, we are challenging you to name every opponent we have played in European football's elite club competition?

Since first qualifying for the competition in 2010, we have faced 24 different teams in the competition - we want you to name them...

For clarity, this quiz does NOT cover the competition prior to 1992 when the European Cup was rebranded to the UEFA Champions League.

To take on the challenge, click the green 'Play Quiz' button below to get started before inputting your answers in the box titled 'enter team'.

You will have 10 minutes to name as many of the 24 teams as you can. To help, the country the team is from is listed above their relevant answer box.

Live coverage: Spurs vs Villarreal - UEFA Champions League - September, 2025  Tottenham Hotspur

Our 2025/26 UEFA Champions League journey gets underway tomorrow night as we take on Villarreal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, kick-off 8pm.

We are encouraging everyone attending to arrive early and wear something white as we deliver a spectacular visual display in partnership with THFC Flags.

If you’re joining us at this fixture, please read our travel update ahead of planning your journey to the stadium.

Frequent services are anticipated through White Hart Lane, Northumberland Park, Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale before and after the game.

A reminder that parking enforcement measures are in place on matchdays. An extended Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) operates in Haringey and Enfield, so supporters are strongly encouraged to use public transport to travel to the stadium.

Supporters with Blue Badges can park within the CPZ – but are reminded that the Blue Badge Holder must be present with the badge. Please see here for further details about Blue Badge parking.

Supporters can stay up to date with the latest travel news via TfL.gov.uk and nationalrail.co.uk, and receive real-time updates via the Spurs Matchday Info channel on WhatsApp.

Stay up to date - Spurs matchday info on WhatsApp

You can stay up to date with important matchday information – including real-time travel updates – by following our Spurs Matchday Info channel on WhatsApp.

Simply click here or search for Spurs matchday info in your WhatsApp Updates section.

Stations

Please note that Bruce Grove and Silver Street stations will be closed for two hours post-match on Tuesday.

White Hart Lane

On the Weaver line, 6 northbound services and 5 southbound services are expected to call at White Hart Lane before the game, while 5 northbound services and 6 southbound services are expected after the game. Services operate between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town/Cheshunt.

Supporters travelling to Liverpool Street post-match are reminded that Northumberland Park services have greater capacity and frequency to those at White Hart Lane, and the journey time should be shorter as there are fewer stops.

White Hart Lane is a fully accessible station.

CLICK HERE to view the northbound London Overground timetables...

CLICK HERE to view the southbound London Overground timetables...

Northumberland Park

If travelling on Greater Anglia services, we recommend using Northumberland Park as it is a shorter distance to the stadium than Tottenham Hale.

Northumberland Park is also recommended for supporters heading to Liverpool Street after the game as it will have a higher train capacity than White Hart Lane.

The following services will be in operation through Northumberland Park on Tuesday evening:

Pre-match northbound: 8 trains per hour

Post-match northbound: 10 trains per hour, including 4 Stansted Express services

Pre-match southbound: 6 trains per hour, including 2 Stansted Express services

Post-match southbound: 12 trains per hour, including 2 Stansted Express services

The final northbound service is expected to depart Northumberland Park at 11.58pm, while final southbound service is scheduled to leave at 12.11am.

CLICK HERE to view the full Greater Anglia timetable...

Tottenham Hale

Tottenham Hale is a fully accessible station and is served by the Victoria line and Greater Anglia services.

Supporters travelling on the Victoria line are encouraged to use Tottenham Hale rather than Seven Sisters as it is a shorter journey to and from the stadium. Victoria line services will operate every 2-3 minutes in both directions before and after the game.

There will also be 12 Greater Anglia services per hour operating in each direction through Tottenham Hale, including 4 Stansted Express trains each way. We recommend using Northumberland Park for Greater Anglia services as it is a shorter distance to the stadium than Tottenham Hale.

Seven Sisters

Victoria line services will be operating every 2-3 minutes in each direction before and after the game.

Pre-match, a diversion route will be in place at Birstall Road for pedestrians entering Seven Sisters station for interchange between the Victoria line and London Overground services. This is to avoid congestion on the northbound platform.

We encourage supporters to consider using Tottenham Hale for Victoria Line services as it is a shorter distance to the stadium than Seven Sisters.

Queue management

Queue management systems will be in place at all stations for the safety of all passengers and staff.

At each station, the queue management staff are in contact with the Station Managers who will confirm when platforms are clear to enable more passengers to enter the station. For the safety of all passengers and staff, supporters are kindly asked to cooperate with station staff and always follow their instructions.

Shuttle buses

The Club operates a free Shuttle Bus service from Wood Green (Piccadilly Line) and Alexandra Palace (Great Northern) stations to the stadium.

The Piccadilly line is expected to operate with services every 2-3 minutes in both directions throughout the evening.

The Great Northern line will operate 10 northbound and 6 southbound trains per hour through Alexandra Palace before the match, and 5 northbound and 6 southbound services afterwards.

CLICK HERE to book your place on a Shuttle Bus...

Cycling

Extra parking facilities for dockless bikes are available in the surrounding area, making cycling to the stadium easier than ever. Here’s a list of locations where you can start and end your journey:

High Road

Cedar Road

Ruskin Road (North)

Ruskin Road (South)

Church Road

Brereton Road (North)

Brereton Road (South)

White Hart Lane

Vicarage Road

Lansdowne Road

Scotland Green

Pembury Road (North)

Pembury Road (South)

Bike stands also remain available at Tottenham Community Sports Centre and St Francis De Sales School, which are both located on the High Road. Dedicated bicycle parking is also available on-street around the stadium.

Although our Bag Policy still applies, stewards will be briefed regarding cyclists’ need to carry helmets, puncture kits and removable seats into the stadium.

CLICK HERE to read our Bag Policy...

Controlled Parking Zone

A reminder that parking enforcement measures are in place on matchdays. An extended Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) operates in Haringey and Enfield, so supporters are strongly encouraged to use public transport to travel to the stadium.

Supporters with Blue Badges can park within the CPZ – but are reminded that the Blue Badge Holder must be present with the badge. Please see here for further details.

Road closures

Please note, our major event day road closure measures will be in place.

TfL bus services will return to normal operation as soon as possible after the local road closures are lifted.

Our UEFA Champions League campaign kicks off on Tuesday night as we welcome Villarreal to north London (kick-off 8pm UK).

As a new season dawns in European football's elite club competition and we make an appearance in the tournament for the first time in three seasons, we shall also be facing new opponents in the shape of Tuesday's Spanish visitors.

So, having never faced the Yellow Submarine, here, we shall try to give you a flavour of just what type of opposition we will be facing this week by looking at their history in European football and when it comes to facing English sides, while also taking a look at their current form.

How have Villarreal started the season?

Like in the Premier League, La Liga has already seen four games played - and it has been a mixed bag of results for Villarreal.

After winning their first two games - each at home - they have then failed to win their subsequent two games, both away, drawing at Celta Vigo before falling 2-0 at Atletico Madrid.

Overall though, it is a positive start for the men in yellow as they sit in the European places in the Spanish top flight with seven points from 12.

The draw at Celta Vigo ended an eight-game winning run in La Liga for Villarreal.

How have Villarreal performed in European competitions?

Villarreal seem to always find a way in European football.

While they may not be considered one of the giants of the sphere, they are always there or thereabouts when it comes to making significant progress in the various UEFA competitions.

Prior to the turn of the century, Villarreal had never played in European football, but in their maiden campaign (2002), they reached the Intertoto Cup Final. It was defeat for them in that final, but they didn't make the same mistake next time around, or the year after that as they ran out winners in the Intertoto Cup in both 2003 and 2004.

To add to that, they ten reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2004 before reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2006.

They were again semi-finalists in the Europa League in 2011 and 2016 before winning the competition in 2021, defeating Manchester United in Gdansk, Poland.

They were then Champions League semi-finalists once again in 2022.

Out of 17 seasons in European competitions, only once have they failed to make it past the group stage.

How have Villarreal fared against English sides?

It is fair to say, Villarreal do not have the best record when it comes to facing English sides.

Out of 23 meetings to date in European football with English sides, they have won six of those meetings - and, crucially, only one of those wins has come in England.

That was just over 20 years ago as they faced Everton in the qualifiers for the 2005/06 Champions League. They won both legs against David Moyes' side and went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition that term.

Their most recent meeting with an English side came in 2021/22 as in the semi-finals of the Champions League, they were drawn against the other Merseyside outfit, Liverpool. The Reds came out on top in that two-legged affair with a 2-0 win at Anfield followed up by a 3-2 win in Villarreal.

A smile beamed across the face of Cathinka Tandberg after she enjoyed a full debut toremember.

Handed her first start as we travelled to Goodison Park, the young Norway international stole the headlines in an impressive 2-0 win at Everton on Sunday.

Not only did she provide an assist for Olga Ahtinen’s opener with a clever pass, but the imposing forward produced a moment of magic four minutes after the restart with a 40-yard stunner to lob the back-peddling Courtney Brosnan.

Enjoying a perfect start to life in a Lilywhite shirt, where we’ve picked up six points out of six so far, the 21-year-old was pleased to open her account for the Club.

“I would have liked to get one more goal,” Tinka said afterwards, reflecting on her performance. “But, obviously I’m happy with three points.

“I’m happy to get my first goal for this amazing club. It’s a good start and I just can’t wait for more games.

“I’d seen throughout the game that the goalkeeper was standing quite far out. So, when I got that one from Bethany’s [England] good press, I just thought, ‘go for it’ and it went in, so it was nice.

“I think it’s an easy way to get a goal,” she explained. “When you see someone pressing well and you get those chances, you just have to go for it. If you never try, you’ll never score those goals.”

While her stunning strike will take the headlines, Tinka’s all round game was impressive, especially the fact she won the most duels in the contest.

It was such a strong display from the forward that you sometimes have to remind yourself she has only been with us for just over a week.

But, in her own words, she admits the settling in period has been made very easy by the staff and her team-mates. Now, she just wants to keep going.

“It’s my dream club, so I have to fight for it,” she said. “I love being here, it’s only been about a week since I arrived, but it’s been easy to come in. Everyone has welcomed me so well, and I’m just loving it.

“It’s actually been very easy to settle in. Martin [Ho] has been clear with how he wants us to play so, for me, it’s just been about focusing, coming on the pitch and doing my stuff. It’s been really great - the team-mates are amazing so I’m loving it.”

Joins us at Brisbane Road on Friday

We return to Brisbane Road on Friday evening (7.30pm UK) as we take on Manchester City in the Barclays Women's Super League as we look to maintain our perfect start to the campaign, with tickets are available to buy below.

Martin Ho was full of delight following the full-time whistle at Goodison Park as he maintained a perfect start to life in the Barclays Women’s Super League with a 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday afternoon.

A challenging first away trip of the season – where we haven’t won at in our last six attempts in the WSL – we produced an impressive first half display in front of a packed crowd at Goodison Park and rightly opened the scoring on 27 minutes through a composed finish from Olga Ahtinen.

Cathinka Tandberg was handed her full debut and, having assisted Olga for the first goal, the Norway international produced a sensational finish to double our advantage just four minutes after the restart, sending a 40-yard lob over Courtney Brosnan and into the back of the net.

At the other end of the pitch, we remained defensively strong as Everton pushed for a way back into the game but they struggled to cut us open, as we preserved back-to-back clean sheets in the league.

Speaking to us afterwards, Martin reflected: “[I’m] really pleased. I think we’ve built on last week. It was a more complete performance in both phases, I maybe want more with the ball in the second half, but I know the players are trying to apply the right things.

“I thought the resilience, competitiveness we showed, the aggression off the ball but then on the ball, particularly in the first half, I thought we were very good. I asked for more shots on goal - last game we had just one on target, but today we had nine on target and 19 overall.”

Martin on preserving the clean sheet…

“It’s huge for confidence and belief, both as a team and individually. It gives the group a big lift, knowing they can be competitive, defend aggressively, and show passion and desire. I told the players: defending doesn’t require skill - you don’t pay for it. It’s just hard work and commitment, and today they showed that in abundance.”

Martin on Olga’s composure in front of goal…

“Tinka’s flick was a nice touch and Olga, who started on the left today, curled it into the bottom corner, it was a brilliant finish. That whole phase of play was really nice, we got into good positions and it was good awareness from Tinka to play her in. Olga stayed calm and composed, she didn’t rush the finish, and she fully deserved the goal. She had some great moments on the left side, which was a new tactical role for her. I’m really pleased for Olga.”

Martin on Tinka's sensational strike…

“Sometimes as a coach you think, ‘Why have you done that? We’ve just won the ball back!’ But instinctively she’s very clever. She did the same thing in training this week, scored over the goalkeeper from halfway. So, it didn’t surprise me, but it was brilliant to see it come off in the match. She was brilliant. We expect a lot from her, and she’s not at full capacity yet, still building physically, technically, and tactically. But her hold-up play, link play, and movement were excellent.”

Martin on building momentum ahead of the Man City clash…

“[It’s] Really important, because you want to build momentum. More importantly, you want to keep building on performances. We built on West Ham last week and now we’ve built again today. There’s still more to improve, but if we keep progressing, we give ourselves a chance to take results. And crucially, we don’t just want to nick games, we want to dominate them. Today, I thought we had large spells of dominance early on and then defended our half extremely well later.”

Cathinka Tandberg scored an outrageous goal from distance on her full debut in the Barclays Women’s Super League to earn us an impressive 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Leading the line from the off, ‘Tinka’ collected the ball just outside the centre circle in Everton’s half before sending a wonderful lob over the back-peddling Toffees goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and into the back of the net to double our advantage four minutes into the second half - her first goal in our colours since her summer move from Hammarby.

Our number 19 also played a crucial part in our opener just before the half-hour mark as her clever flick to Olga Ahtinen inside the box allowed the midfielder to calmly slot away her first start this season, a deserved lead after an excellent showing in the first period.

At the other end, we remained defensively resilient to preserve back-to-back clean sheets in our opening two games of the campaign – the first time we’ve done that since March, 2024 - as Martin Ho makes it six points out of six as he enjoys a perfect start to life in the WSL.

We were inches away from opening the scoring on 10 minutes when Drew Spence in the centre of the six-yard box was picked out by the header of Clare Hunt but the midfielder’s clever flick towards goal was pushed on to the post by Courtney Brosnan. Eveliina Summanen saw an effort blocked from the edge of the box as we continued to impress on a gloomy day on Merseyside, dominating possession with 67%, and our early pressure eventually paid off on 27 minutes.

Ahtinen caught Rion Ishikawa in possession on the edge of the box, the ball then fell to Tandberg who played a clever flick back to Ahtinen in the area and she calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Shortly after, Bethany England was unable to make a clean connection to flick the ball over her head after Hunt kept Ahtinen’s corner alive while, at the other end, we made a number of key blocks to deny Ornella Vignola and Maz Pacheco to maintain our one-goal advantage.

Then, just four minutes after the restart, we doubled our advantage with a special first goal from Tandberg. After some excellent pressing from England, her tackle on Ishikawa saw the ball fall to our new signing around 40 yards out and, after spotting the goalkeeper off her line, she sent an outrageous lofted shot into the back of the net. Everton looked for a response after Tandberg’s strike but we produced a number of blocks inside the box after a corner wasn’t cleared while Ruby Mace’s shot from distance caused Lize Kop to get down low to her right after it deflected off Hunt.

Rosa van Gool fired over the bar as our defence remained resilient to the home side’s increased pressure while we continued to pose a threat in the attacking areas in the closing stages, Summanen seeing her half-volley inside the area blocked before substitute Charlotte Grant drilled over the bar from a tight angle, as we maintained our perfect start to the new WSL season.

We can confirm the starting line-ups and substitutes for this afternoon’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash against Everton at Goodison Park (kick-off 2.30pm UK).

Martin Ho has made two changes from the starting XI that secured a 1-0 win over West Ham United on the opening weekend.

Having made her debut from the bench last weekend, forward Cathinka Tandberg makes her first start for the Club as she comes in the place of Araya Dennis in the forward line.

In midfield, Olga Ahtinen starts for the first time this season, with Olivia Holdt dropping to the bench.

Our full line-up is as follows…

Starting XI: Kop, Nilden, Naz, England (c), Rybrink, Hunt, Tandberg, Ahtinen, Spence, Summanen, Koga.

Substitutes: Heeps, Jackson, Grant, Oroz, Holdt, Graham, Gunning-Williams, Dennis.

There was a lot of love for Andreas Georgson in the tunnel at London Stadium after our 3-0 win against West Ham on Saturday.

Pape Matar Sarr was just explaining why the players were pointing towards the bench after he headed home from Xavi Simons' corner to open the scoring at the start of the second half when no other than Andreas, our First Team Assistant Coach and set-piece expert, walked behind the SPURSPLAY camera!

We were a constant threat from set plays and crosses. Indeed, half-time stats showed West Ham had made 27 clearances in the first half alone – and that went up to 42 by the end of the game. Cuti Romero had a goal disallowed from a corner in the first half, Micky van de Ven may well have earned a penalty from another and had an effort saved point-blank by Mads Hermansen. So, it was no surprise to see Pape – who stood, static, while everything unfolded in front of him – power home his header, unmarked at the far post, for that crucial opening goal.

“We worked on it two days ago,” added Pape. “I told Xavi yesterday, ‘if you have the ball, put the ball in and I will score’. In the first half, we spoke together, I told him to cross the ball, and it was good timing, when the ball arrived, I headed it in. It was a nice goal, always nice to score in a derby.”

Lucas Bergvall looped home a gorgeous header from Cuti Romero’s pass for 2-0 and Micky wrapped it up with a clinical finish in the second phase of another corner after we recycled West Ham’s clearance with Mathys Tel, Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha and Lucas.

Pape added: “You know, we lost (against Bournemouth) before we went into the international break and today was special for us to win this game, we did it and we are all happy.”