Tottenham Hotspur's clash with Aston Villa today (May 16) could have massive implications for two former Arsenal men. Ange Postecoglou's men travel to Villa Park with little to play for on the Premier League front amid sitting 17th ahead of next week's UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United.
The Lilywhites could jeopardise the Villans' hopes of Champions League football next season by pulling off an away victory. It would be a disaster for former Gunners duo Unai Emery and Emiliano Martinez, who come up against the Lilywhites with the West Midlands outfit.
Spurs could end ex-Arsenal duo's hopes of Champions League football
Villa impressed in the Champions League this season and advanced to the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by finalists Paris Saint-Germain. They were the second best competing club in Europe's top-tier competition, behind Arsenal who suffered defeat to the same French team in the semi-finals.
Martinez, 32, has been between the sticks for Villa ever since leaving the Emirates for Villa Park in the summer of 2020. He's endured a difficult time against Spurs during his career, conceding 22 goals in 10 games, the second highest amount against any club.
Emery's Villans sit sixth in the league, level on points with Chelsea who face next week's Europa League opponents United tonight. If Postecoglou's Lilywhites come away with at least a point it could spell danger for two of the club's arch-rivals' former employees.
Postecoglou hints at resting star men vs Villa
While it's always nice to get one over your rivals no matter the circumstance it's undoubtedly more important that Postecoglou focuses on next week's final in Bilbao. Champions League qualification is up for grabs alongside a first trophy in 17 years for the North Londoners.
Postecoglou spoke about what type of team he'll likely put out against Villa and it suggests he'll be resting many of those expected to start next Wednesday (via BBC Sport): "Look, in a normal world you use this to be sharpening up, but we're not living in a normal world.
He added: "Even with the best planning we're still getting hit with these setbacks. From my perspective I've got to take that into account when considering the [Aston Villa] game."
Tottenham romped to a 4-1 win over Villa in the reverse fixture in November, courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke (2) and James Maddison. The Villans got revenge in the FA Cup in February with a 2-1 win that knocked the Lilywhites out of the competition.
Postecoglou is expected to be sacked even if Spurs win the Europa League. But he'll want to make sure his side are in the best position to end their trophy drought.