Solanke double keeps Tottenham in top-four mix as Postecoglou’s big call on Son pays off

Dominic Solanke had not managed a shot on target in his past six games, let alone a goal, but the striker ended his drought to help secure a vital win for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou might have said he did not judge Solanke on goals ahead of the visit of Aston Villa, but the way in which he celebrated the 27-year-old’s first strike suggested the Tottenham head coach knew just how important it might be.

The victory completed a brilliant few days for Postecoglou and Tottenham, who knocked Manchester City out of the League Cup on Wednesday and could not afford to lose more ground in the race for the top four – even with the Premier League season only 10 games old.

A defeat would have seen Tottenham fall eight points behind Villa, who pipped them to fourth place last season, but the win means Postecoglou’s team moved just two points behind Unai Emery’s side.

Tottenham had been booed off at half-time, when they were trailing to a Morgan Rogers goal, but there were jubilant celebrations at full-time thanks to Solanke and a late free-kick from substitute James Maddison.

Son Heung-min, who set up the equaliser for Brennan Johnson, will have to accept that Postecoglou called it right to replace him with Richarlison – however much he may not have liked it.

Son was clearly annoyed at being taken off to protect his fitness after assisting Johnson’s goal with an excellent cross. But the change did not hold back Tottenham, with Solanke netting his match-winning double.

His first goal, brilliantly lifted over Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, came courtesy of a Dejan Kulusevski pass which caught out Ezri Konsa, who played Solanke onside.

And the second, Tottenham’s third, was set up by Son’s replacement, Richarlison, who collected a pass from Pape Sarr and delivered a low cross for Solanke to turn the ball into the net.

Richarlison injured himself while delivering the ball, but that action effectively confirmed a big three points for Tottenham over a Villa side they will expect to fight for Champions League qualification.

The form and confidence of Solanke could be vital to Tottenham’s hopes of clinching Champions League qualification this season. Postecoglou’s team have won every game in which he has netted and the Australian knows Tottenham cannot be as reliant on Son as they have been, while Richarlison’s fitness issues continue.

Solanke joined Tottenham in a deal worth £65 million from Bournemouth and his double will go some way to nullifying the debate over whether or not it was money well spent.

Maddison replaced Richarlison and bent a wonderful stoppage-time free-kick from the edge of the penalty area past Martinez to prompt cries of “are you West Ham in disguise” from the home supporters who had been booing after 45 minutes.

Postecoglou embraced Maddison after the final whistle. The midfielder has been relegated to the substitutes’ bench in Tottenham’s big games of late, but can clearly still make important contributions – whether it be as a starter or a replacement.

The result marked a miserable 53rd birthday for Villa manager Emery, who will be unhappy with Pau Torres for the way in which he allowed Tottenham in for the third goal with a stray pass straight to Sarr.

This was only Villa’s second League defeat of the season and they can still consider their start to the campaign to be an encouraging one.

But it has been a rare bad week for Emery, who rested virtually his entire starting line-up for the League Cup game against Crystal Palace, which Villa lost.

Given the Midlands club have not won a major trophy since 1996, many Villa fans would have wanted Emery to have fielded a stronger side against Palace but were willing to accept the defeat in the pursuit of a greater good.

But the nature of this loss, in which Tottenham looked the fresher team and finished the game with more energy, raises question marks over the wisdom of Emery’s changes.

Villa could have been two goals up at half-time had Ollie Watkins taken a good chance that was created by Rogers, but after the break the visitors were outplayed.

Rogers grabbed his chance after a Lucas Digne corner was headed towards his own goal by Pedro Porro. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario saved but could only push the ball back into the path of the Villa forward.

Villa were still level when Rogers went off in the second half after requiring treatment following a clash with Sarr, but Emery’s side wilted and must now raise themselves quickly for games against Club Brugge, in the Champions League, and Liverpool before the international break.

“The balance is the first message I send in the dressing room because it’s 38 matches,” said Emery. “Until today, we were being consistent but we are in the top seven and this is the first objective we have to keep.”

04:37 PM GMT

Thanks for following

Today’s action continues as Manchester United host Chelsea in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first home Premier League match as interim manager.

Follow all the action from that fixture here.

04:29 PM GMT

And here are Unai Emery’s thoughts

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Aston Villa manager said:

04:26 PM GMT

More from Ange Postecoglou

Speaking to BBC Sport, the Tottenham manager said: “Seven days is a long time in football. Seven days ago I was a grumpy old so and so. We have to say true to the course we’re on.

“We made sure not to feel sorry for ourselves and back to the team we want to be.”

04:24 PM GMT

Ange Postecoglou speaks to Sky Sports

On Dominic Solanke:

On James Maddison:

On injuries:

04:21 PM GMT

Spirits are high in north London

04:16 PM GMT

Aston Villa’s ‘nemesis’

04:13 PM GMT

John McGinn reacts to Sky Sports

04:07 PM GMT

Dominic Solanke speaks to Sky Sports

On his goals:

03:59 PM GMT

FULL-TIME: Tottenham 4 Aston Villa 1

A much-needed result tops off a perfect week for the hosts.

In the second half, they were a completely changed, revitalised team.

The visitors let the game run away from them and were unable to turn the tide once Tottenham began their onslaught.

The result means Tottenham move into seventh place in the Premier League table, just two points behind Aston Villa in fifth.

03:55 PM GMT

90+6 mins: Tottenham 4 Aston Villa 1

GOAL! (Maddison, 90+6)

Maddison steps up to the free kick. He shoots from just outside the box and his effort flies around the wall and curls into the back of the net.

The midfielder celebrates in his trademark, dart-throwing style. A perfect, satisfying goal to top off the afternoon for the home side. And it’s the midfielder’s 50th in the Premier League.

03:52 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

Maddison plays a neat ball through to Solanke who is taken down by Carlos just outside the penalty area.

The referee gives a free kick which both Maddison and Kulusevski step up to. This is from very close range...

03:50 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

Despite the two-goal cushion, there is a sense of anxiety amongst the home fans and players as Aston Villa continue their push for a second goal.

All efforts focused on defending in the closing stages of this match.

03:48 PM GMT

90 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

The fourth official announces 10 minutes of stoppage time - an announcement which is met with jeers from the home fans.

03:47 PM GMT

88 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

The visitors are still knocking on the door but have lost all their momentum since Solanke’s quick brace.

The Tottenham defence are currently dealing very comfortably with the somewhat lacklustre attempts of the Villa attack.

03:44 PM GMT

86 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

Bleak reading for Aston Villa fans - the visitors are yet to register a single shot on target during the second half.

03:40 PM GMT

82 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

A bittersweet moment for Richarlison who is unable to continue after pulling something in the build-up to that goal.

He is replaced by Maddison while Gray also comes on for Udogie.

Villa also ring the changes - Bailey, Philogene and Kamara replace Ramsey, McGinn and Tielemans.

03:37 PM GMT

79 mins: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 1

GOAL! (Solanke, 79)

It’s two goals for Solanke within five minutes!

Sarr drives forward and crosses to Richarlison and it’s the perfect pick-out from him as he passes neatly into the path of Solanke.

The striker quickly collects and fires it home. His goals today are his first for the club since late-September.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has come alive.

03:36 PM GMT

78 mins: Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

An almost-instant response from Villa - but Onana’s effort from close range is off-target.

03:34 PM GMT

74 mins: Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

GOAL! (Solanke, 74)

What a finish from the centre-forward.

Tottenham finally find a way through the middle and it’s a great ball in a tight space from Kulusevski who feeds Solanke. The forward collects and dinks the ball over Martinez.

There’s an anxious wait for the Tottenham fans as VAR check for a possible offside... but eventually the goal is given! What a turn-around.

03:30 PM GMT

72 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Porro tries to roll a ball in for Kulusevksi but Digne gets to it first and sends it out for a Tottenham throw-in.

The ball falls to Kulusevski once again but an important Villa block stops the midfielder’s build-up play.

03:29 PM GMT

71 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Richarlison collects the ball just outside the Villa box. He fizzes a ball in but Johnson can only watch as it passes just out of his reach and goes behind.

Both sides searching for the winner.

03:28 PM GMT

70 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

The visitors break down the left.

Ramsey fires a cross into the box but there is no one there to run on to it and it goes out of play.

03:26 PM GMT

68 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Another break in play as Rogers goes down.

As he receives treatment, Duran starts to warm up on the sidelines - perhaps an unwelcome sight for the home fans with his “super-sub” reputation.

Rogers eventually goes off and is replaced by Duran. He is just as frustrated with his substitution as Son was and cuts a frustrated figure on the substitutes bench.

03:24 PM GMT

65 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Richarlison attempting to break through but finds himself pushed out of the box under pressure from the Villa backline.

He fires a cross to Sarr who shoots from just outside the box. His fierce effort fires wide.

03:22 PM GMT

62 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Lots of talk around Postecoglou’s decision to take off Son after 55 minutes. The captain has just returned from injury so it may have been a preventative measure, but it could be a decision that comes back to haunt the Tottenham boss if his team don’t get something from this game. Son certainly looked unimpressed as he exited the pitch.

After that break, Villa have some momentum back on their side. A set piece routine sees Tielemans play in Carlos on the edge of the box. His effort ricochets off his own player and goes behind.

03:19 PM GMT

59 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

A break in play as Romero goes down after his challenge on Rogers.

While Romero is assessed, Cash goes off and is replaced by Carlos, with Konsa going to right-back.

Romero is eventually forced off and is replaced by Davies who has not played a single minute of Premier League football so far this season. Tottenham’s backline is already suffering with the injury of Van de Ven so this is concerning for the home team.

03:15 PM GMT

57 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

The first bookings of the game are for Porro and Romero.

The former hacks down Watkins and receives a yellow for his efforts. The latter is shown the card after a reckless sliding tackle on Rogers in the middle of the pitch.

03:14 PM GMT

55 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Postecoglou rings the changes and it’s an unexpected one as he decides to replace Son with Richarlison. The captain clearly wasn’t expecting that.

Bissouma also comes on and replaces Bentancur.

03:13 PM GMT

54 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Nervy for Tottenham who are struggling with their defence of set pieces.

Tielemans takes a free kick from the left which flies into the box. His effort is blocked but Villa manage to get the ball back into a dangerous area. McGinn goes for it and sees his volley from the edge of the box whistle over the bar.

03:10 PM GMT

51 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

Emery is looking a bit dazed - Tottenham are relentlessly pressing and Martinez has been tested multiple times in these early stages.

It’s another attempt from Solanke - he sends a looping effort towards goal but it flies just over the net.

03:09 PM GMT

50 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

That’s certainly improved the mood within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The hosts are firmly on the front foot again.

Udogie cuts into the box from the right and whips the ball into the path of Solanke. He shoots from close range and its a good save from Martinez to deny the hosts.

03:07 PM GMT

48 mins: Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 1

GOAL! (Johnson, 48)

After a slightly chaotic start to the second half, the hosts are level!

It’s a great ball from Son, he cuts through the Villa defence and whips a cross into the box.

Solanke and Johnson are both there and the latter manages to get a touch to it. He guides it into the back of the net and Tottenham are level.

03:02 PM GMT

45 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

Play is back underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Maddison has been warming up at half-time - he’s not coming on yet, but if things continue in the same way for Tottenham, his services may be called upon very soon.

02:52 PM GMT

Half-time: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

There cannot have been too many better value-for-money signings than Morgan Rogers over the past 12 months.

Villa signed him in a deal worth around £15million in January and already want to extend his contract. The forward opened the scoring for the visitors at Tottenham and also played the perfect pass from which Ollie Watkins should have doubled Villa’s advantage.

Rogers reacted to his goal with the “cold” celebration that has been taken by his close friend Cole Palmer and it may not be too long before he joins his former Manchester City youth team-mate in the England squad.

02:47 PM GMT

45+1 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

The final chance of the half falls to Tottenham.

Kulusevski is free and makes a run down the middle. He passes across to Solanke, whose effort from just outside the box is easily blocked.

The whistle blows for half-time and there are boos around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the players leave the pitch.

02:46 PM GMT

45 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

Just the one minute of added time to be played at the end of this half.

Cash throws the ball in to the Tottenham box but Vicario stretches up and manages to collect it.

02:44 PM GMT

42 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

Another big chance for Villa - as they catch Tottenham on the counter once again.

A great pass is played forward to Watkins. He has plenty of space in front of goal but, under pressure from Romero, he drags his shot by some distance and it goes wide at the far post.

02:41 PM GMT

39 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

McGinn picks out Watkins who can’t break forward under pressure from the Tottenham defence.

Onana, who has been one of Villa’s brightest players so far, breaks down the right and is taken down in a sloppy tackle by Bentancur. He might count himself lucky to escape a booking there.

Tielemans takes the free kick which falls to Cash but he loses possession under pressure.

02:38 PM GMT

36 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

Bentancur fires the ball into the path of Son. He drives into the box from the left but loses possession as a Villa defender blocks it for a Tottenham corner.

Porro fires the corner into the box but Martinez gets to it first.

02:33 PM GMT

32 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1

GOAL! (Rogers, 32)

Against the run of play, the visitors take the lead.

The corner flies into the box, Porro flicks the ball in at the near post and Vicario manages to get a hand to the rogue deflection but can’t collect.

It flies back out into the path of Rogers and is easy for him to tap in from close range.

02:32 PM GMT

30 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Tielemans swings a corner into the Tottenham box which is swatted out by Vicario.

Villa attack again with Ramsey swinging a looping cross into the box. Onana gets his head to the ball and his effort hits the post. Vicario just about gets a hand to it so the visitors have another corner.

02:30 PM GMT

28 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

An important, launching tackle from Bentancur to halt Rogers who was running free down the right.

02:28 PM GMT

25 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Lots of fouls from both sides in these opening 25 minutes.

Sarr stops a developing attack and cuts down Rogers as he drives towards goal.

Tielemans takes the free kick but his effort falls straight into the hands of Vicario.

The home side attack quickly on the counter. A neat pass in behind from Romero into the path of Johnson who turns in the box and crosses first time, but Martinez gathers.

02:23 PM GMT

22 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Tottenham are really piling on the pressure.

Romero plays a quick pass across to Bentancur who takes a first-time shot from just outside the penalty area.

It has some dip on it and is close to finding the back of the net, but flies just over.

Better from the midfielder.

02:22 PM GMT

20 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Onana makes an important run down the left to deny Udogie and the ball goes out for a corner.

The initial corner is dealt with by Onana once again, but Tottenham quickly have the ball back in the box. It takes a deflection off Johnson and rolls agonisingly slowly into the hands of Martinez.

It’s on target but would have been offside, anyways.

02:19 PM GMT

18 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

A wild effort by Bentancur from 20 yards out flies miles over the goal. It doesn’t trouble Martinez in the slightest.

02:18 PM GMT

16 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Villa have a free kick after Bentancur tangles himself up with McGinn, who falls to the floor.

The ball is played across into the path of Digne who is unable to penetrate Tottenham’s defensive line.

Rogers is unable to overcome the pressure from Sarr and passes across to McGinn who gives up possession under pressure from Udogie.

The Tottenham player passes into the path of Kulusevski who drives forward and plays a heavy pass to Johnson. The best he can earn from that is a corner.

02:14 PM GMT

13 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Free kick for Tottenham after Ramsey takes Porro down just outside the Villa box.

A rigid defensive line from the visitors on the edge of their own penalty area.

Son goes for goal and his effort clears the defence but is headed wide by Solanke.

02:12 PM GMT

11 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Decent start from Tottenham - they’ve seen the majority of the possession and chances in the opening 10 minutes of play.

Martinez pings the ball forward but there are no Villa players to be seen. The ball rolls to Vicario in the opposite box.

02:10 PM GMT

8 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Tottenham comfortable in possession at the moment.

Romero slides the ball into the path of Solanke. He tries his best to pick out Son with a forward pass but it’s a touch too heavy and the Tottenham captain can’t get to it in time.

02:07 PM GMT

5 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Tottenham pressing well in the final third which Villa are currently struggling to clear.

Sarr sends the ball across to Son who waits just outside the penalty area. He makes a first-touch shot which is blocked. Porro drives forward for the rebound but his touch is too heavy and the ball flies above the goal.

02:04 PM GMT

3 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Rogers drives forward and takes a first-time shot which sails over the Tottenham goal.

Villa build again - Tielemans sends a glorious ball in from the left which falls into the path of Watkins in the box. He stretches out but just misses the ball which sails out for a goal kick.

Early pressure from the visitors.

02:03 PM GMT

2 mins: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0

Tottenham attempting to build from the back in these very early stages. Dragusin plays a pass across to Romero who sends the ball forward, into the path of Sarr.

He attempts to cross in from the left but it’s easily dealt with by the Villa backline.

02:00 PM GMT

Kick-off!

The visitors get the game underway.

01:59 PM GMT

Here come the teams...

Will today be the day Aston Villa secure three consecutive league victories at Tottenham for the first time since 1924?

Or will Tottenham continue their strong home record, and build some much-needed consistency after their impressive midweek win against Manchester City?

Let’s see.

01:48 PM GMT

Tactical decision to bench Maddison

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Ange Postecolglou said dropping James Maddison to the bench is “just what we need today”. He added: “But there’s no doubt that Madders will be coming on today.”

01:45 PM GMT

15 minutes to go....

Here is a reminder of the starting line-ups.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke, Son.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins.

01:41 PM GMT

Captain Son Heung-min gets warm

01:39 PM GMT

A touching tribute

The Aston Villa players are warming up in tops that say “Fuerza Valencia” on the front in recognition of the floods in Valencia that have killed over 200 people. Villa head coach Unai Emery managed Valencia between 2008 and 2012.

01:31 PM GMT

Birthday boy arrives in north London

It’s Unai Emery’s birthday today. The Spaniard has turned 53 but there won’t be any celebrating if Aston Villa lose at Tottenham today. Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou is the Premier League’s oldest manager, having turned 59 in August.

01:29 PM GMT

McGinn: Spurs won’t make it easy

01:27 PM GMT

Emery’s pre-match thoughts

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said:

01:24 PM GMT

Udogie: Van de Ven a huge miss but we are together

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie said:

01:18 PM GMT

Tough week for Villa

The visitors will aim for a strong response this afternoon after being knocked out of the League Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday and dropping points in the league last weekend to Bournemouth after they clinched a 96th-minute equaliser.

As Tim Nash reported after their cup exit, a deeply frustrated Unai Emery mounted a staunch defence of his 10 changes that cost Aston Villa a quarter-final place.

Villa are currently top of the Champions League but a severely weakened team suffered the club’s fourth straight domestic cup loss.

It also brought an end to an eight-match unbeaten home record against a near full-strength Crystal Palace.

While Tyrone Mings made his first senior start for 810 days, Emery’s decision to give his big hitters the night off meant he had no options on the bench to threaten once early Palace substitute Daisha Kamada scored the 64th-minute winner.

“We are disappointed and frustrated, but the most important thing is if I am repeating this match 100 more times, I would play these same players,” Villa manager Emery said. “Of course we want to win a trophy – that’s my aim here.

“We started with Tyrone Mings and Diego Carlos – they can play in the starting XI.

“We started with Kosta [Nedeljkovic] and Ian Maatsen, who we signed to be in the squad and play matches like this.

“We started with John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey, Jhon Duran and Emi Buendia.

“So I don’t know if I can have some regret [after playing that line-up].”

Unai Emery has reverted back to his strongest starting XI for this afternoon’s match. Ollie Watkins returns up-front and Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, and Pau Torres - who were all rested on Wednesday night - reclaim their positions in the line-up.

Read Tim’s full report of Villa’s midweek match here.

01:13 PM GMT

Tottenham look to build on midweek success

It has been an inconsistent start to the season for Tottenham, who granted Crystal Palace their first Premier League win of the season in a dismal defeat last Sunday, then went on to knock Manchester City out of the League Cup on Wednesday – and end their unbeaten start to the campaign.

As Ivan Speck reported after the match, Ange Postecoglou’s dreams of second season success at Tottenham remain intact after his side’s sheer force of will overcame Manchester City in a pulsating encounter.

It was a Carabao Cup tie which jangled with nerves from first minute to last. While its frenetic action was only interrupted by a surge of second-half substitutions, the outcome was ultimately decided by goals from Timo Werner and Pape Matar Sarr in the opening half-hour.

Postecoglou said: “It was great resilience by the boys. You play an unbelievable side and they ask you every question there is.

“Both goals were outstanding moments for us. We’re a side that’s growing and developing. I continue to see progress but there will be stumbles along the way. The key thing tonight was staying in the competition.”

They will look to build on that important victory and create some consistency with a win in this afternoon’s clash against Aston Villa. A win would propel them up the Premier League table, where they currently sit in 10th place.

Read Ivan’s full report here.

01:03 PM GMT

Recent history on visitors’ side

Aston Villa have won three of their last four Premier League away games against Tottenham, including the last two in a row under Unai Emery. They will aim to make it three from three this afternoon. Only Chelsea have won more away league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However the hosts will take comfort from their most recent Premier League meeting at Villa Park in March, when they won 4-0. They are also building a strong home record with their last loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being the 1-0 North London Derby loss on September 15.

12:56 PM GMT

Son returns for Tottenham; Emery names unchanged starting XI

Ange Postecoglou has made four changes to the starting XI that fell to defeat at Crystal Palace last Sunday. Captain Son Heung-min returns after missing the past two games, while Radu Dragusin, Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur also come in. Micky van de Ven is out with an injury sustained in Tottenham’s midweek clash against Manchester City whilst James Maddison is dropped to the bench.

Unai Emery has named the same starting line-up that drew against Bournemouth last weekend. Jhon Duran returns to the bench after starting against Crystal Palace in their midweek League Cup clash.

12:47 PM GMT

Aston Villa starting XI:

12:47 PM GMT

Tottenham starting XI: Son returns in boost for hosts

12:39 PM GMT

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12:30 PM GMT

Preview: Villa seek response after midweek misery

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage as Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa in the Premier League.

There were contrasting fortunes for both teams during the week, with the former causing an upset in the League Cup round of 16 and the latter being subject to one.

Tottenham knocked eight-time champions Manchester City out of the competition, ending the Premier League title-holders’ unbeaten start to the season and booking themselves a place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa – currently top of the Champions League – found themselves knocked out of the League Cup by Crystal Palace, who progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years.

It was a stirring victory for Tottenham and a disappointing defeat for Villa who have started their campaign so strongly both domestically and continentally.

The visitors will be desperate to bounce back today and a win could propel them into third place in the table, just four points off the top.

But they will face fierce competition from Tottenham who haven’t lost a game at home since mid-September. A win would give them a much-needed boost and would place them just two points behind rivals Arsenal, who sit fourth in the table after losing to Newcastle on Saturday.

Son Heung-min has missed Tottenham’s last three games but there is hope he will return for this afternoon’s fixture. The hosts will, however, be without Micky van de Ven after he picked up a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

Ross Barkley will be the only absentee for Villa, meaning Unai Emery has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from. Tyrone Mings could be set for his first Premier League minutes of the season after making his long-awaited return from injury during the week.

Recent history is on the visitors’ side, with Chelsea being the only team to have more away league wins than Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Emery’s side go in search of their third win in a row there this afternoon.

We will have team news for you shortly.