Friday night football at Villa Park promises high stakes and contrasting ambitions, as Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur in a clash that could shape both ends of the Premier League table.
Unai Emery’s men have been one of the season’s surprise packages, sitting sixth on 63 points with only two games remaining. A win here could catapult them into pole position for Champions League qualification—especially with Chelsea (also on 63) facing tricky fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
In stark contrast, Tottenham are enduring a torrid campaign. Sitting 17th with just 38 points, Ange Postecoglou’s side are teetering above the relegation zone and desperately need to avoid a 21st defeat of the season.
Villa’s Fortress and Steely Form
Aston Villa may not have dazzled in their recent 1-0 win at Bournemouth, but Emery will value the result more than the performance. Despite managing just six shots—three coming in first-half stoppage time—they came away with maximum points, underlining their growing ability to grind out wins.
Defensively, they’ve looked sharp. Villa have conceded only three goals in their last eight league matches, keeping five clean sheets in that stretch. The stats are even more impressive at Villa Park, where they are unbeaten in their last 20 league games—winning 14 and each of the last seven.
With their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance and potential financial implications looming, including reported FFP concerns, Villa know just how vital these last two matches are.
Tottenham: Stuttering to the Finish Line
The pressure is piling on Postecoglou after a dismal 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, where Spurs were lucky not to concede more given the Eagles’ 23 shots and eight clear chances. Tottenham have now lost seven of their last 10 Premier League matches, including four of their last five on the road.
They have already faced Villa twice this season—losing 2-1 at Villa Park in the FA Cup, but thrashing them 4-1 at home in the league back in November. That kind of performance feels a world away now.
With one eye on next week’s Europa League final, squad rotation could be a factor—particularly in attack and central defence.
Team News
Villa are without Jacob Ramsey (suspended) and likely still missing Marcus Rashford, who is nursing a hamstring issue. Ollie Watkins will lead the line, with Marco Asensio, Morgan Rogers, and captain John McGinn supporting. In midfield, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are expected to anchor the side in front of Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are depleted. James Maddison is out for the season, while Dejan Kulusevski has undergone surgery and won’t feature. Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison are expected to lead the line, but minutes may be managed ahead of the Europa League final. The midfield trio could include Archie Gray, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Matar Sarr, with Lucas Bergvall unavailable due to injury.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are unlikely to be risked, meaning Ben Davies and Kevin Danso could get the nod in defence.
Predicted XIs
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Asensio, McGinn; Watkins
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3):
Vicario; Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence; Gray, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Son
Verdict
Villa’s form, fortress-like home record, and Champions League motivation make them heavy favourites. The visitors have been so poor domestically and it is likely they get taken to the cleaners on Friday night. Tottenham, still distracted by European duties and riddled with injuries, may find it tough to cope with the energy and resilience of Emery’s side.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur