Bidding to qualify for the FA Cup fifth round, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on Sunday evening.
Ange Postecoglou’s side travelled to Anfield to take Liverpool for Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final return leg with a 1-0 lead to protect from their first leg, but the Reds produced a scintillating display to win 4-0 on the night and advance to Wembley’s showpiece event with a 4-1 aggregate success. They will seek to avoid a second elimination from another cup competition in the space of four days.
Spurs are keen to end their 17-year-long trophy drought and are fighting to win the FA Cup after beating non-league side Tamworth FC 3-0 in extra time in the third round. However, they come up against a Villa side that strengthened their squad well during the final days of the January transfer window.
Tottenham Team News
Tottenham’s injury problems worsened on Thursday night when Richarlison was forced off with a calf problem in the second half against Liverpool. The Brazilian’s setback comes days after Radu Dragusin was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
No players are returning from injuries on Sunday, while striker Dane Scarlett is cup-tied having played in the FA Cup for Oxford United during his loan spell.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Aston Villa (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Antonin Kinsky saved a bigger embarrassment for Tottenham as he made some crucial saves in the 4-0 Carabao Cup second-leg semi-final defeat to Liverpool in midweek. The young shot-stopper has to produce a stellar display to help Spurs beat Villa on Sunday in the FA Cup.
Defence
January signing Kevin Danso made his Spurs debut against Liverpool on Thursday night. The Austrian is expected to start besides Ben Davies in central defence, with the duo hoping to keep Ollie Watkins quiet.
Pedro Porro should be relatively fresh to start at right-back after coming off the bench against Liverpool, with Archie Gray starting on the opposite side of the back four. The full-backs have to try to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield
Lucas Bergvall has been one of Tottenham’s best performers in recent months and is expected to start here. He could take either one of Pape Matar Sarr or Yves Bissouma’s place in the middle of the park after the African duo’s underwhelming performances against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
We may see a shake-up in midfield with Dejan Kulusevski—who has looked leggy in recent games and struggled to make an impact out wide—starting as a No.8. Completing Spurs’ engine room will be Rodrigo Bentancur operating from the base.
Attack
Djed Spence could be given an advanced role on the right. His presence would also provide Porro with defensive cover. New signing Mathys Tel could be given an opportunity to impress off the left after coming on as a substitute against Liverpool, with skipper Son Heung-min taking the mantle up front in Richarlison’s injury absence.
