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Aston Villa seek third-straight Premier League win at Tottenham

By Andrew Capitelli

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Matty Cash of Aston Villa puts the ball up his shirt during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on September 25, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Matty Cash of Aston Villa puts the ball up his shirt during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on September 25, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa head south on Sunday afternoon in search of a third-straight Premier League victory in a clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Fresh off a historic 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday, Villa would move to 13 points with a victory over Spurs.

Kortney Hause scored the game-winner in Manchester last week and is set to retain his place in a three-man backline. The 26-year-old played a prominent role in keeping Cristiano Ronaldo off the scoresheet for the first time in a Premier League contest this season.

Spurs are pointless in their previous three top-flight matches and most recently dropped a 3-1 decision at Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday. Skipper Harry Kane has yet to score in the league this season, and Spurs as a whole have tallied just three times in six matches.

Villa were victorious the last time the two sides met on May 19, 2021. On that day, Steven Bergwijn opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Sergio Reguilón’s own goal brought the match level in the 20th minute. Ollie Watkins’ 38th-minute tally would later clinch victory for Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Aston Villa’s English striker Ollie Watkins (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on April 21, 2021. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa’s English striker Ollie Watkins (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on April 21, 2021. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Villa have not won consecutive Premier League matches against Spurs since 2008 and have dropped 10 of the last 12 meetings between the two. Spurs were outscored 9-1 in their previous three league matches and are seemingly ripe for the taking.

Tottenham vs. Aston Villa team news

Leon Bailey, Morgan Sanson, and Trezeguet remain out for Dean Smith’s side. The duo could return to training soon and may be available for selection after the international break.

Bergwijn and Ben Davies are set to miss out for Spurs in Sunday’s clash. Bergwijn has missed the previous three matches with a sprained ankle and Davies has “suspected appendicitis.”

Aston Villa to stick with 3-5-2 formation

Smith will stick with the same squad that secured all three points at Old Trafford last week. That means Hause keeps his place in defense, forcing Axel Tuanzebe to start from the bench. Tuanzebe could not play last week against United, his parent club.

Smith will ride the top form of his five defenders, notably England international Tyrone Mings and right wing back Matty Cash. Matt Targett has found his form on the left side of defense and is integral in creating from wide areas.

Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, and Jacob Ramsey are all undroppable in midfield, and Watkins and Danny Ings are unlikely to be replaced.

Watkins received an England call-up on Thursday, and Ings enters the weekend fifth in the league in pressures among forwards.

Aston Villa projected Starting XI: Martinez; Konsa, Hause, Mings; Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J. Ramsey, Targett; Watkins, Ings

Tottenham projected Starting XI: Lloris; Tanganga, Romero, Dier, Reguilon; Skipp, Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Lucas, Son, Kane

Date/time: Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 PM BST/9:00 AM EST

Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

TV/Streaming UK: NA

TV/Streaming US: Peacock

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