Projecting Mason's XI for Tottenham Hotspur home finale vs Villa

Projecting Mason’s XI for Tottenham Hotspur home finale vs Villa

By Aaron Coe | May 18, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring their sides second goal with teammate Pierre-Emile Højbjerg during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Wycombe Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Adams Park on January 25, 2021 (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Tottenham projected midfield

We see a little change in the Tottenham Hotspur engine room. This is not because anything is not working, in fact, Pierre Højbjerg played his best game in months and Dele Alli was dangerous. As for Giovani Lo Celso, he was not bad and had his moments on Sunday against Wolves but the sentimentality of seeing his mate run out – potentially for the last time – as a starter in front of the fans will be too much for Mason to resist.

Alli – Attacking midfield

Dele Alli was nearly a second striker against Wolves, which is close to his best position. Rather than playing off Kane, it is about Kane playing off Dele, with the midfielder leading the charge with the press and pressure and looking to distribute and make plays around the box. We have seen Dele be good in stretches and we need to hope it can continue for a week more.

Højbjerg – Defensive midfield

Pierre Højbjerg looked like the player Spurs had at the start of the season against Wolves and it paid huge dividends with a goal and an assist. Whether it was truly a case of Højbjerg just needing a little rest or Wolves being that bad we are more likely to find out on Wednesday. The Dane will have his hands full with a recently fit-again Jack Grealish leading the Villa midfield. If Højbjerg can dominate as he did against Wolves, Grealish is likely to have a quiet day.

Winks – Defensive midfield

Ryan Mason sticks to the two-man deep midfield but makes a small change inserting Harry Winks in for Giovani Lo Celso. More than an issue with how Lo Celso has played, Winks is an academy product and fan favorite. Given the chances that Winks may even depart in the summer, giving the Hemel Hempstead native one last start seems about right for Mason and his Tottenham way approach.

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