Ex-Spurs Scout: Tottenham ‘cannot afford to lose’ against Aston Villa
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome aboard our brilliant new columnist Bryan King, the former goalkeeper who spent six years as a senior scout at Spurs and 28 years in total in first-team scouting roles. Bryan also spent eight years on Everton’s recruitment team and 11 years scouting at Aston Villa across two different spells.
Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King says Tottenham “cannot afford to lose” against Aston Villa, but he admits it will be a “difficult game” for the Londoners.
Spurs and Ange Postecoglou will welcome Unai Emery and Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 26 November as both sides return to action following the international break.
Defeat against the Villans would see Postecoglou’s men fall to a third consecutive league defeat and slip out of the Premier League’s top four.
With the likes of Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, and Richarlison all unavailable due to injury, and Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma both suspended, Spurs will be without at least five of the players who started their most recent win against Crystal Palace on Friday 27 October.
It is set to be a tricky afternoon in north London and King has spoken to Tottenham News about just how important this match is.
“I don’t like the fact that these players are not going to be available throughout December. That is quite scary,” said the former Spurs and Villa scout.
“To have two of your best players missing for over a month, who knows how you replace them? The game against Aston Villa is going to be a tough game, it is a game that Tottenham cannot afford to lose if they want to compete near the top this season. A point is okay, but if they lose, they immediately drop out of the top four and Villa take their place.
“Against Wolves, there was uncertainty in the starting lineup and uncertainty in the style of play. To lead for almost 90 minutes and then throw it away in extra time shows a team that is not stable.
“Aston Villa are producing results, this will be a difficult game. They have a starting lineup which is pretty stable, the same cannot be said for Tottenham. The next few matches are crucial, because as quickly as you get to the top of the table you can slip down the table as well.”
In other Tottenham news, the club are looking increasingly likely to take a £40million hit.