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Tottenham at Aston Villa, Premier League preview, prediction

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal battles for possession with Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal battles for possession with Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team’s second2 goal 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. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team’s second2 goal 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. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Tottenham and Villa Players to Watch

When it comes to talent, Tottenham still has plenty of it, but the player everyone most needs to keep their eyes on in this contest plays striker for Villa, Ollie Watkins. Watkins signed with Villa over the summer after starring in the Championship last season for Brentford. Watkins was a difference-maker for the Bees and is a difference-maker for the Villians now.

Watkins has 10 goals in the League for Villa after scoring 26 last season for Brentford. Add in two goals in the League Cup and Watkins is having a fine first season at Villa with 12 in all competitions. Watkins is not a big striker but he is aggressive and plays very strong in the air. Interestingly Ollie gets more aerial wins per match – four – than he does shots 2.8.

2.8 is a full shot less than the 3.8 that Harry Kane averages per match, but Watkins would be second on the Tottenham squad averaging a full shot more than Son Heung-Min, Spurs second most prolific shooter who averages only 1.8 shots per match. Expect to see Watkins lined up on the shoulder of Spurs’ deepest defender playing as a target and runner.

From the Tottenham perspective, this match is all about Harry Kane. Which Harry Kane do we get today, is it the Harry Kane who for two weeks could do no wrong racking up perfect 10 player ratings? Or do we get the Harry Kane who did not show up for Arsenal or Dinamo? Everything at Spurs starts and ends with Kane.

If Harry is aggressive in the press and active in the build-up play, expect a strong game for Tottenham. If Kane stands upfront as a lonely target and does not press or drop deep to create plays, it could be a long day. Villa did score 7 against Liverpool, anything can happen.