Opposition Preview: Aston Villa

On Sunday afternoon, Spurs are back in Premier League action, as they welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Ange Postecoglu's side are looking to bounce back from their last league outing where they fell to defeat at Crystal Palace. However, the win against Manchester City in midweek will have given confidence, whilst Villa themselves lost to Palace.

So, what can we expect from Unai Emery's side this weekend?

In the most part, Villa have been pretty good so far this season. They are fourth in the Premier League, with 18 points from nine games. In the Champions League, they sit top of the 'league phase' with nine points from three games, having beaten Young Boys, Bayern Munich, and Bologna - all without conceding a goal.

That all said, Spurs are perhaps playing them at the the right time. Last Saturday, Emery's side dropped points at home courtesy of a 96th minute Bournemouth equaliser. In midweek, as touched on previously, they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Palace, despite Wharton and Eze going off injured early.

Villa don't have any players on their injury list, with even Tyrone Mings starting his first game in over a year in the defeat to Palace. Spurs meanwhile, will be without Micky van de Ven, which is a big concern - given how much Ollie Watkins loves to run in behind.

One thing that could play into the hands of Ange Postecoglu's hands is the pace, or lack there of in the backline. Ezri Konsa is the only player in the backline blessed with pace. Matty Cash isn't too slow, but Lucas Digne and Pau Torres - the left hand side of the defence - are not blessed with athleticism, as good as they may be on the ball.

The runs in behind from Brennan Johnson will be key. Dejan Kulusevski has been in great form, and was absolutely purring against Manchester City - will be looking to play those passes in behind to the Welshman throughout the game. If Son is fit, you would fancy him to beat Cash in a foot race, and that could also be key.

With the danger of Jacob Ramsey and/or Morgan Rogers in central areas of the pitch, Ange may go with the set up from the second half of the West Ham United win - a midfield three of Kulusevski - Yves Bissouma, and Pape Sarr.

It no doubt promises to be an exciting game, with two very gung-ho approaches - let's just hope luck is on Spurs' side this time, with a very unfortunate defeat in this fixture last year.