Tottenham v Aston Villa – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League. Spurs’ unbeaten start of eight wins in 10 matches has been followed by successive defeats. Villa sits just a point behind the visitors and their 29 goals scored is the second highest in the division.

Spurs Form

Tottenham started the season brilliantly with eight wins and two draws in the first ten fixtures. A 2-1 home win over nine-man Liverpool saw a 96th-minute winner. They went to Luton Town and won 1-0 with ten men and they beat Fulham 2-0 after a solid display.

A 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace saw Ange Postcoglou’s men have 76% of the ball. With nine men, Tottenham then lost 4-1 at home to Chelsea as their high line was eventually breached. Their last match saw a 1-0 lead at Wolves after 89 minutes turn into a 2-1 loss by full-time. Spurs conceded in the 97th minute to lose the fixture.

Spurs Team News

Ryan Sessegnon, Ivan Perisic, and Manor Solomon remain out injured so the depth in the wide areas is depleted. Richarlison is still ruled out so Brennan Johnson will play down the left wing once again. Destiny Udogie is a still doubt but should be fit to start at left back.

At the back, Cristian Romero is still suspended, and Micky Van der Ven is injured. Emerson Royal could partner with Eric Dier once again. Yves Bissouma is also suspended, and James Maddison is injured so Giovani Lo Celso is set for a rare start in this one.

Spurs Motivation

After successive defeats, Spurs will be determined to get back to winning ways.

Postecoglou only knows one way to play. He will attack and throw numbers forward in the quest for all three points.

Aston Villa Form

Villa have lost just once in nine matches in all competitions. They’re scoring freely and have netted 29 league goals in 12 matches so far. A 6-1 thrashing of Brighton preceded a 1-0 UEFA Conference League win over Zrinjski. A 1-1 draw at Wolves preceded three wins in a row with 11 goals netted.

The Villains beat West Ham 4-1 at home and then won 4-1 at AZ Alkmaar. A straightforward 3-1 home win over Luton Town was surprisingly followed by a disappointing 2-0 loss in the Midlands derby at Nottingham Forest. Prior to the international break, Emery’s side beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 and Fulham at home.

Aston Villa Team News

Unai Emery has four doubtful players for this match. All of them could shake off knocks to be available. Matty Cash has a shoulder problem whilst John McGinn has a slight knee complaint. Jacob Ramsey and Diego Carlos are the two other players with doubts over them.

Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia remain out long-term after knee surgeries. Youri Tielemans is set to keep his place in midfield in preference to Leon Bailey and Nicolo Zaniolo.

Aston Villa Motivation

Villa are scoring goals for fun and will fancy themselves against a depleted Tottenham back four.

A draw would not be anything but a good result, but Emery may just fancy his side to score first and then exploit the space behind Tottenham’s high line.

Key Stats

Tottenham have won 8 of their 11 Premier League matches this season (2 draws)

Tottenham have scored 2+ goals in 10 of their last 13 EPL matches.

Spurs have won 5 of their last 6 home EPL matches

Aston Villa have scored 29 goals in their 12 league matches this season

Villa have lost 1 of their last 9 matches (24 goals scored, 7 wins)

Aston Villa have won their last 2 matches vs Spurs (2 wins in 3 away at Tottenham too)

Verdict

This match could go either way. Goals are expected and could be the safest way to bet. Son and Watkins would be wise to back to the goalscorer markets.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 2.20

Alternative Bet: Draw at 3.80

Goalscorer Tip: Son anytime scorer at 2.30 or Watkins anytime goalscorer at 2.30

BET Contributor