Premier League: Managers Making Their Mark Clash in North London

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

Sunday afternoon in North London provides us with a story of two Premier League clubs on a seeming upward trajectory but will one of them have the edge when it comes to a head-to-head.

With just one place and one point in the table separating Spurs and Aston Villa, the importance of this game is clear.

Had this fixture been a few weeks ago, Spurs would have gone into the contest as the unbeaten leaders.

Fast forward and they have slipped to fourth, lost back-to-back matches and have a list of players on the injury and suspension list which has left them down to the bare bones.

Yet home comforts (just one defeat all season) could help against a side who are impressive but need to address their inconsistency away from home.

Talking Points

So, the starting point is absentees as the hosts are without a handful of players for the foreseeable future.

Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ivan Perisic and James Maddison are missing through injury, while they are also missing Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero through suspension for one and two games respectively.

The situation could lead to starting berths for Giovani Lo Celso – a substitute last time out at Wolves – or Rodrigo Bentancur, who was also a sub in that game and may now be ready to start after a lengthy lay-off through injury.

The upbeat news for boss Ange Postecoglou is the return of Destiny Udogie.

Judging by glimpses I caught of the friendly defeat to Barcelona in pre-season, albeit a second-string Spurs side, I suggested on these pages that Tottenham fans should have reason to be optimistic about the future.

I was not expecting them to make such a terrific start, mind, as the Greek boss settled into the top flight and adapted to life without record scorer Harry Kane.

Postecoglou has admitted that, bizarrely, he enjoys the adversity and that he can make an impact when all eyes are on him, so this Sunday provides just that opportunity.

His counterpart in the opposite dugout this weekend has also proven himself, over a slightly longer term with Unai Emery’s impact at Villa as stark as it has swift.

After his arrival in the Midlands 13 months ago, the side improved dramatically, winning 10 of their last 15 games as the Spaniard guided them to a seventh-placed finish.

Indeed, Emery has now turned Villa Park into a fortress and supporters are loving every second.

They have won their last 13 home games in the Premier League, the latest a 3-1 success over Fulham when, on the occasions they went through the gears, proved too much for an underwhelming Fulham side.

Amidst plenty of Premier League highlights, Emery’s side have scored 23 goals in their six games at Villa Park and have now opened a season in England’s top division with six successive home wins for the first time since 1932-33. It’s their best home run since winning 13 in a row in 1983 when they were reigning European champions.

Now to address their away form which has been erratic at times.

They will wait for a fitness check on midfielder John McGinn who limped off while on international duty for Scotland on Sunday, leaving Villa fans fearful about his participation.

McGinn appeared to be holding his knee before handing over the captain’s armband and hobbling off the Hampden pitch.

Elsewhere, it should be noted that Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and Lucas Digne are treading a disciplinary tightrope with all three players one booking away from a ban, although that won’t stop their commitment to the cause.

Whether their squad is big enough to cope with playing in the Europa Conference League on a Thursday and the Premier League on a Sunday is key – they have not faced such a challenge since 2010-11.

History

Two of the great English football institutions.

They first met in an FA Cup quarter-final in 1903 when Villa edged out the north Londoners by the odd goal in five.

That Spurs have won eight of their last 11 meetings shows how much Villa have been in the doldrums in recent years.

However, they secured a league double over them last season.

Villa beat them 2-0 on their own turf on New Year’s Day when second half goals from Emi Buendía and Luiz sealed the points.

Then at Villa Park in May, Jacob Ramsey and Luiz scored the goals in a 2-1 success with Kane netting a late penalty for the Spurs consolation.

Overall, Spurs have triumphed in 77 of the games with Villa winning 59 and a further 36 draws.

Betting Tip

Spurs have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds but it’s mighty close.

For example, you can back the home side 1X2 @ 2.37 with Villa slightly out @ 2.55.

There’s also very little to separate the sides with Asian Handicap odds which include Spurs -0.50 @ 2.38 and Villa 0.00 @ 2.19.

First Half options are Spurs 1X2 @ 2.70 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.38 and Villa 1X2 @ 3.25 and First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.12.

If Villa are to repeat their fine win from New Year’s Day, then Correct Score 0-2 is on offer @ 19.00.

This match has often produced goals aplenty and that is expected this time with over 3.50 @ 2.35, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.10 and 4-6 @ 2.53 comparing starkly to total goal 0-1 @ 5.20.

Spurs have been weakened by key absences and I think that will have an impact. Given Villa’s fine form too, this has a draw written all over it and my *** tip is 1X2 Draw @ 3.50.

 

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