Tottenham Exclusive: What Spurs privately say about team news v Aston Villa
Tottenham are set to hold internal talks before team news is shared for the clash against Aston Villa on Friday.
The Lilywhites are preparing for a trip to Villa Park on 16 May in a controversially rearranged fixture in the Premier League.
As important as this will be for Unai Emery’s side, it is fair to say that Ange Postecoglou’s eyes will be on the upcoming Europa League final.
With less than a week between the trip to the West Midlands and a huge clash in Bilbao, the team news that emerges from the Spurs dressing room is likely to be interesting.
Tottenham to name weakened team v Aston Villa
This same fixture last campaign felt like a shootout for Champions League qualification, but Villa secured that top-four spot despite a 4-0 win for the N17 outfit.
It does feel as this sort of result is very unlikely this time around as thoughts will be towards avoiding injury against the Villans.
This has only been increased by the loss of Dejan Kulusevski to injury, just seven days before the final against Manchester United.
| Name | Injury |
| Radu Dragusin | Cruciate Ligament |
| James Maddison | Knee |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Knee |
| Lucas Bergvall | Ankle |
As a result, it looks likely that a rested starting 11 will be named by Postecoglou at Villa Park in an attempt to reduce the chance of further fitness problems.
This has been echoed by former Brentford and Leicester City manager Martin Allen ,who has revealed what talks will sound like on Hotspur Way ahead of the trip to the Midlands.
“There’s no way that he won’t play a weakened team,” Allen exclusively told Tottenham News.
“He’s got to keep every one of those players who will be playing in the final back, keep them fresh and let them know that they will be starting the final.
“Then he’s going to say to those players starting against Villa, ‘Give everything for the club, team and yourself, play well and push yourself into my thoughts for the final.’
“Privately, I know everyone involved with Tottenham Football Club is looking to the final, their mindset can only be on the final.“
Aston Villa to benefit from Tottenham team selection
It is fair to say that the news of the Lilywhites’ progression to the Europa League final represents a boost for Emery and Villa.
To be able to face a Spurs side without both James Maddison and Kulusevski would be positive anyway, regardless of any other missing stars.
With that being said, it does feel like it will be an easy night’s work for the claret and blue outfit, who are unlikely to face the likes of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke.