Premier League preview – Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

On Wednesday Aston Villa comes to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the next to last match of the season for both clubs. The questions surrounding the end of the season places – especially for Spurs- should mean an exciting match. Even better, it will be the first match with fans inside the north London stadium in over a year. So what can we expect and look forward to as Tottenham hosts Aston Villa in the Premier League?

Tottenham trying to continue a streak

April 11, 2015, was the last time Aston Villa beat Tottenham Hotspur as a Christian Benteke header gave Villa the win at White Hart Lane 0-1. In the six matches immediately proceeding that April game and the six matches since, Spurs have won all 12.

Tottenham has not always dominated Aston Villa but before the win in 2015, you have to go all the way back to September of 2008 to find another Villa win over the Lilywhites. While some coaches may not make much of things like streaks, confidence is important in football and if knowing you have beaten a team six straight times gives you confidence, well take it and run.

How do the fans react to Tottenham?

Having the fans back in the stadium is a double-edged sword for Tottenham Hotspur. On the one hand, it will be great to hear live cheering and chants, which will hopefully spur the players on. Alternatively, some Tottenham fans might come with an ax to grind.

Whether it is discontent over the season, over Mourinho, over Harry Kane, or just over ENIC in general, there is currently a lot of negative energy in the fan base. While one would like to think the right fans are showing up tomorrow, given the ridiculous cost of the tickets, we may not get what we want.

Knowing this might be the last match in a Spurs shirt for Harry Kane and Harry Winks and for fans to finally have a chance to see Gareth Bale live we should expect the best. Hopefully, the fans are exactly what Tottenham needs because we know they need all three points.

Can Tottenham set a marker?

The one advantage the Spurs have on Wednesday in the Premier League table is the fact that they play before their two closest competitors in the table in Liverpool and West Ham. A Tottenham win would bring Spurs within a point of Liverpool ahead of the Reds match against Burnley.

Likewise, three points would put the Lilywhites three points in front of West Ham and that much further ahead in the goal difference category.

Knowing six points from six can guarantee Europa League, and a higher finish than last season is certainly something to play for. With the top four out for certain, Tottenham cannot be wishful at this point it has to be all business.

Getting three points and putting a little press on both Liverpool and West Ham will be a good thing and may just help the Spurs in the end.