Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park in the penultimate game of their Premier League season on Friday evening.
The Villans moved into sixth place in the Premier League table, level on points with Chelsea, following a 1-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend. Ollie Watkins gave them the lead at the stroke of half-time, and despite going down to 10 men following a red card to Jacob Ramsey, Unai Emery’s side managed to hold onto three crucial points in the race to qualify for the much coveted Champions League.
On paper, Villa will be favourites against a hapless Tottenham, who dropped to 17th in the table following a 0-2 loss to Crystal Palace at home last weekend.
Aston Villa Team News
Jacob Ramsey is suspended for the game after picking up a second yellow card in the 1-0 away win over Bournemouth. Marcus Rashford and Youri Tielemans are out injured and unlikely to be involved again this season.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez made a couple of crucial saves against Bournemouth last weekend to help Aston Villa keep a clean sheet. A vocal leader at the back, the feisty Argentine will eye another clean sheet.
Defence
Unai Emery is unlikely to make alterations to his backline that started in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth, meaning Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne all start here in the Aston Villa lineup.
Cash and Digne will be the full-backs, trying to stretch the shaky Spurs backline with their direct approach and crossing ability. Konsa and Mings must assume responsibility for keeping a strong Tottenham attack quiet. A clean sheet on Friday would bolster Villa’s hopes of getting a positive result at home.
Midfield
With Youri Tielemans injured, Amadou Onana should partner Boubacar Kamara in the middle of the park once again in the Aston Villa lineup. They must try to take control of the game as early as possible and create chances for the attackers in the final third.
Marco Asensio should occupy the No.10 role in the Aston Villa lineup, hoping to make a difference in the game with his creativity and late runs into the box.
Ross Barkley is likely to provide cover for the midfield unit from the bench.
Attack
Record-breaker Ollie Watkins is certain to lead the attacking contingent of the Aston Villa lineup. After scoring against Bournemouth, the Englishman should be hungry to get on the scoresheet again and add to his 16 goals in the Premier League this season.
John McGinn and Morgan Rogers will join Watkins in the attack. McGinn will replace the suspended Ramsey on the left, while Rogers will try to enjoy a productive evening against a fragile Spurs backline.
Leon Bailey, Donyell Malen and Ian Maatsen could be called upon off the bench to add more pace and flair in attack if required.
