Aston Villa host Tottenham in Sunday’s only League game this weekend. These two sides have already faced each other in the League Cup where Tottenham overcame a much-changed-Villa side 4-0. This weekend will be different, Benteke is fit for this game, but Paul Lambert will make the final call whether or not he will be able to play. Aston Villa have hit form coming into this game, Villa are undefeated in over 3 games and even won their last home game against City 3-2. Tottenham have been playing well, however last weekend, they were torn apart by West Ham at White Hart Lane. Which team will come out on top this weekend following an international break?
Aston Villa will be able to play on the counter, with Tottenham usually playing high-pressure football, as a result this could aid Villa in nicking another shock-victory this weekend. Tottenham will be keen to bounce back but was Villas-boas given enough time on the training ground to work with his players to point out what went wrong last game. But in this fixture, Tottenham have been undefeated in over 10 games, the last time Villa beat Spurs was in 2008 where they won 2-1.
Team News:
Aston Villa maybe able to welcome back Christian Benteke into the side, he has recovered sooner than expected. N’Zogbia and Okore are still long-term casualties.
Tottenham are without injured winger Arron Lennon. Danny Rose and Coupe will also miss this fixture. Kaboul is an injury doubt.
Match Facts:
Paul Lambert has won more away league games (7) as manager of Aston Villa than he has at Villa Park (6).
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Aston Villa, winning six (D3).
Aston Villa have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 14 Premier League home games, losing nine in this run (W4 D1).
Paul Lambert’s side have played the highest percentage of long passes in the Premier League this season (16%).
All three of Tottenham’s away games this season have ended 1-0 (two wins, one defeat for Spurs).
Predicted Lineups:
Guzan
Bacuna-Vlaar-Clark-Luna
El Ahmadi-Westwood-Delph
Weimann-Benteke-Agbonlahor
Soldado
Lamela-Eriksen-Townsend
Dembele-Paulinho
Naughton-Vertonghen-Dawson-Walker
Lloris
Match Prediction:
Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham
I think this game will end in a draw, I don’t think Villas-boas will have had enough time to work with his squad and I think they will struggle to deal with Villa’s counter. Benteke’s return will definitely boost Villa this weekend. I think Villa can win this game, but I think Lambert should drop Weimann for this game, I think a different winger would be able to expose Naughton more.