At a glance:
- Tottenham will face Aston Villa on Sunday
- A win could pull them out of relegation zone
- 3 players will be key for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur will take on Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Sunday, May 3.
It is a huge game for Spurs, as they are involved in a relegation battle, with four games remaining. However, with West Ham losing against Brentford on Saturday, a win against Villa could pull Tottenham out of the drop zone.
The north London side have lost their last four encounters against Aston Villa, including two this season. Moreover, Unai Emery’s side are fifth in the league standings and hoping to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Hence, it would be a tough ask for Spurs to get a win on Sunday.
Crucial game for Tottenham
Spurs fans hope that Emery will rotate his key players for Sunday’s game. Villa lost 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest on Thursday, and the second leg is next week.
Moreover, they are seven points above sixth-placed Brentford and are most likely to finish in the Top 5.
However, Tottenham are going through a massive injury crisis and would therefore need to make the most of whatever opportunities they get. There will be 3 key areas, which could define the result of the game:
Rodrigo Bentancur vs Lamare Bogarde
Aston Villa boast an excellent midfield, despite the injuries to Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana. However, Lamare Bogarde is 22 and is relatively inexperienced.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur has been excellent for Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi. If he could dominate his duel against Bogarde, it could not only restrict Villa’s build-up, but also lead to turnovers and create counter-attacks for Spurs.
Richarlison vs Tyrone Mings
Emery would be expected to rest at least one of his centre-backs, Ezri Konsa or Pau Torres, for Tyrone Mings. The Englishman last featured in their 4-3 win over Sunderland on April 19.
Also Read: Unai Emery confirms big Aston Villa injury blow ahead of Tottenham clash
Mings can be error-prone at times, especially if he isn’t getting a regular run of games. This could help Richarlison capitalize on some mistakes and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself. Moreover, he will be keen to make an impact to secure his place in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup.
Tammy Abraham vs Micky van de Ven
Tammy Abraham could start if Villa decide to rest Ollie Watkins for the game. The 28-year–old will be keen to make a mark and compete with Watkins for the starting position.
Moreover, Micky van de Ven often struggles against nimble strikers, who are good with their feet. This could be a big battle to watch out for, as Van de Ven is also Tottenham’s captain, and his performance will set the tone for the team.
Also Read: ‘Special’ Tottenham transfer target may have just saved the club from relegation
De Zerbi’s side have a massive opportunity at Villa Park this weekend. They must avoid making costly errors, which they have often done this season, and ensure they grab whatever chances Aston Villa give them.
