Three match-ups to watch as Tottenham hosts Aston Villa in EPL

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Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is challenged by Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur; BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is challenged by Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on March 21, 2021, in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Ollie Watkins is a different challenge for Tottenham

After having their way with teenager Fabio Silva and the Wolverhampton offense on the weekend, Ollie Watkins presents a very different kind of challenge for the Spurs defense. While both Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld have their strengths, running with speedy attackers is not one of them.

Ollie Watkins has been one of the signings of the season for Villa coming over from Brentford and the Championship. Having led the Championship in scoring, Watkins should have been a target for Tottenham, instead, he has managed over 3,000 minutes and 15 goals in all competitions for Aston Villa.

Watkins is not Kyle Walker fast but he does have the pace to burn. More critically, Watkins is not a pace merchant, rather Watkins leverages his pace and to get himself space in the box where he is a cool customer who can finish as well with his head as he can with his feet.

Dier and Alderweireld are going to have to do an excellent job communicating to ensure that Watkins cannot find space between the two in either the open field or the box. How well, the Tottenham defense is able to handle Watkins is going to go a long way to determining the winner on Wednesday. Just like one particular midfield battle will.