After returning from the international break, Tottenham Hotspur will attempt to halt their two-game losing streak in the Premier League as they take on Aston Villa. With multiple suspensions and injuries plaguing the usual starting lineup, Last Word on Football predicts who will take the field at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup
How Tottenham Have Lined Up Recently
Guglielmo Vicario pulled out of international duty with flu-like symptoms, but the goalkeeper is expected to start on Sunday after having ample time to recover. The shot-stopper will likely be busy against a team who have won five out of their last six matches across all competitions.
Against Wolves, Spurs played a backline consisting of Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Emerson Royal, and Pedro Porro. With both starting centre-backs out, the Welsh and English veterans – will need to contain a dangerous strike force led by Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.
As for the midfield, the usual core of Yves Bissouma and James Maddison will be unavailable due to suspension and injury. Senegalese player Pape Matar Sarr could be out after Ange Postecoglou reported that he picked up a potential knock during his press conference.
Son Heung-min had an injury scare while playing against Singapore but should be ready to captain his side. Wingers Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski will likely join the South Korean up top just as they did during their last fixture at Molineux.
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Changes We May See
The centre-backs will likely stay the same alongside Porro on the right flank. Fortunately, young defender Destiny Udogie is injury-free. The Italian has been described as “One of the best full-backs in the Premier League,” and will improve the backline of the Lilywhites.
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With the usual starters in the midfield absent, the Australian manager will have to rely on veteran Pierre-Emile Højbjerg to lead the team in midfield. Fortunately, Rodrigo Bentancur will be an option for selection as he looks to make his first start after tearing his ACL last season. Giovanni Lo Celso will also be a prime candidate to start if Sarr isn’t ready to play.
A change upfront is unlikely to be made – but Bryan Gil and Oliver Skipp will provide options from the bench.
Injuries to Consider
Maddison and Micky van de Ven are injured till at least January, while Bissouma and Christian Romero are suspended. Additionally, Ashley Phillips received an ankle injury while representing England, so he’ll also miss the next few games.
Tottenham Predicted Lineup
Vicario, Porro, Dier, Davies, Udogie, Højbjerg, Bentancur, Lo Celso, Kulusevski, Son, Johnson
