Tottenham projected 11 for trip to Aston Villa
By Gary Pearson
![LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Steven Bergwijn of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Dinamo Zagreb at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Steven Bergwijn of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Dinamo Zagreb at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7f7c435fc908f5f15bb9af972e6d12e0b4b9cf8aaff39cc2e849c56a0037b8c8.jpg)
Hugo Lloris will backstop Spurs, as the captain hopes for a altogether different level of commitment from his teammates. Toby Alderweireld is bound to take Eric Dier’s spot in the centre of defence while Davinson Sanchez — even though he doesn’t deserve it — will partner the Belgian. Matthew Doherty will take his spot back from Serge Aurier, who endured a howler on Thursday in Croatia.
Sergio Reguilon is back in the team, taking Ben Davies’ spot at left back. The Spaniard had a spirited cameo in Croatia, and will be looking to impact proceedings much more. The back four need to make a much better account of themselves against a Villa side that is only four points back of Spurs.
I’d be extremely surprised to see Aurier, Davies or Dier in the starting team, all of whom had miserable European encounters.