Tottenham welcome Aston Villa in a key battle in the Premier League’s top four race with Ange Postecoglou and Unai Emery going head to head.
It’s set to be an emotional occasion and there will be tributes after the news that former England and Tottenham manager Terry Venables has died at the age of 80.
Tottenham will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect for the manager who led Spurs to FA Cup in 1991.
On the pitch, Spurs have been hit by two damaging defeats in succession, first to rivals Chelsea and then a dramatic, late collapse at Wolves, leaving them just a point ahead of Villa in fourth.
Emery’s side, meanwhile, have won three of their last four games and equalled a club-record 13th successive home win against Fulham last time out. Villa will fancy a result here to leapfrog their rivals and move into the top four.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
15 mins: This unrelenting start from Spurs shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. More neat interplay between their forwards sees Kulusevski charge through on goal, this time. The Swede’s effort is denied by the onrushing Martinez but – like Son’s earlier effort – wouldn’t have counted as the flag goes up.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
13 mins: A huge chance for Son as Johnson cuts the ball across to him unmarked on the six-yard box. The Spurs captain gets it all wrong and fires high over the bar but his blushes are saved as the offside flag goes up.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
11 mins: There’s some potential early concern for Emerson who appeared to signal to the Spurs bench that there was an issue. Dier has been sent to warm up but they continue for now.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
7 mins: Chances galore in these early stages as Gil is found by a cute backheel from Kulusevski. It’s a tight angle from the Spaniard but he forces a good save from Martinez as the follow-up header goes over.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
5 mins: And now a big chance for Villa! From a free-kick, Pau Torres is afforded far too much space but can only guide his free header wide of the post from little more than six yards out.
A frenetic start to this encounter.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
3 mins: Two huge chances early for Spurs – how are they not ahead? Initially, it’s Udogie who gets in behind the high line of Villa to receive Porro’s ball from deep but he blazes over the bar.
But then, moments later, Kulusevski gets in a great position – cutting inside of his marker – but rattles the inside of the post from close range. He has to do better there.
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
The tributes to Venables are touching one as applause rings around the ground. With that done, though, it’s time for this game to get underway as Aston Villa kick us off.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Out come the teams now. A reminder that we’ll have a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of former England and Spurs manager Terry Venables who died earlier today aged 80.
Kick-off coming up
We’ve got just under ten minutes to go and the atmosphere is building nicely in north London. It’s a huge opportunity for both sides to secure a statement win and it’s coming up very shortly…
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Son Heung-min has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances against Aston Villa. However, all of those strikes have come at Villa Park – only Michael Owen has scored more against an opponent without netting one at home (6 vs West Bromwich Albion).
The South Korean has eight in 12 league games so far this season. Can he find his first at home against Villa today to add to that tally?
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