Every match in the Premier League presents a different type of challenge. Aston Villa faces Tottenham Hotspur. While Villa are looking to qualify for Champions League, Spurs are in an easy position to not be focused on this fixture.
For fans looking to potentially watch Son Heung-min, for example, well, they may be disappointed. Regardless of who ends up taking the pitch, EPL players can come on and prove a difference in any game. The challenge for AVFC, particularly if their opponents do not field their strongest current starting XI, will be not to overlook Tottenham.
There are still plenty of opportunities and reasonable room for optimism in Friday's matchup. Tottenham is a team that will look to press, like any other, but they aren't nearly as organized in that effort compared to some of Villa's more recent opponents, such as Fulham or Crystal Palace.
As disorganized as Spurs can be in that regard, their backline can prove to be equally so. Villa will have chances to run up the score, particularly off sloppy giveaways from Tottenham. As is, even in the regular run of play, the Villans should be able to enjoy their fair share of possession and break their opposition down.
Overall, this is a game that should play into Villa's hands. Expect whoever ends up playing at left back, whether Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen, either option should have the green light to cause havoc with balls and run into the Tottenham penalty area.
Needed intensity from Aston Villa during fixture
For Unai Emery, the focus will be on Villa's own efforts. The Spaniard will not care who they line up against or who his counterpart excludes from the lineup. Instead, he'll aim to give Villa Park their best version of the club for the final B6 outing of the year.
Villa are favored to win, particularly at VP in this match, for a reason. The test is to grab the needed result and avoid a collapse or upset defeat, especially with everyone knowing that Tottenham will not have their full focus on this Prem fixture.