Tottenham Hotspur welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first Premier League clash of 2023.
Victory would see Spurs reclaim fourth following Manchester United’s win on New Year’s Eve, whilst Villa can move eight points clear of the relegation zone with a win.
Team News
Cristian Romero could return for Tottenham after he missed their Boxing Day draw at Brentford as he spent Xmas in Bueno Aires, following Argentina’s triumph in a memorable World Cup Final against France.
Djed Spence (illness) could also be available for selection.
Rodrigo Bentancur (groin), Richarlison (hamstring) and Lucas Moura (tendon) remain absent.
Aston Villa could welcome Emiliano Martinez back in goal after the Argentinean returned from Argentina’s World Cup celebration.
Diego Carlos (Achilles) and Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) both remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Tottenham have lost just one of their last eight league meetings against Aston Villa (W7, L1).
- Aston Villa have won two of their last five visits to Tottenham (W2, L3).
- Villa’s Ollie Watkins has scored in each of his last two visits to Tottenham.
- Spurs have conceded first in each of their last seven matches (W2, D1, L4).
- Four of Aston Villa’s eight goals under Unai Emery have been scored by Danny Ings and Watkins, who have both scored two goals apiece.
Prediction
One of Tottenham’s most frustrating aspects this season has been their slow starts and they were rightly punished by two clinical goals at Brentford, yet they are lucky to have snatched a draw with two clinical goals after Fraser Forster limited the Bees to just their two-goal lead with some great saves.
2023 though will of arrived come kick-off so this is now a chance for Spurs to reset especially with several players – who have been at the World Cup – now set to start, so a good start will be imperative if they’re to avoid another scrappy if sluggish performance.
Villa meanwhile were simply outclassed by Liverpool who clinically executed their attacking chances despite the Villains enjoying large dominant spells, whilst their defence was simply caught napping for all three conceded goals so improvement certainly will be needed here.
A good start therefore is imperative for both teams but if Tottenham can finally hit the ground running with the opening goal, this really should be their game to lose.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Aston Villa
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