Tottenham XI vs Aston Villa: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

Evening Standard

·16 May 2025

Tottenham XI vs Aston Villa: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

Spurs dealt yet another key blow ahead of Europa League final against Manchester United

Balancing act: Ange Postecoglou faces some tough choices over his Tottenham team to play against Aston Villa on Friday night

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Ange Postecoglou will seek to strike the right balance with his team selection as Tottenham travel to Aston Villa tonight, just five days before the Europa League final.

Postecoglou has suggested that he cannot afford to risk any more injuries after Dejan Kulusevski had surgery on his kneecap on Wednesday, joining Lucas Bergvall (ankle) and James Maddison (knee) on the sidelines.

But the Australian will want to get minutes into some of his stars, particularly as only three players from the XI for the Europa League semi-final decider - including Kulusevski - kept their places for the 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace last weekend.

The absence of Spurs' three creative midfielders is a major concern ahead of the final against Manchester United and Pape Matar Sarr, who is likely to fill in at No10 in Spain, likely needs the game-time against the Champions League-chasing Villains.

Postecoglou has said Heung-min Son will be involved after the South Korean returned from a foot injury last time out and the Spurs captain is set to play a half.

"He'll definitely play tomorrow, whether we start with him or not we'll have a look at," Postecoglou said of Son on Thursday. "He reacted well to playing the other day, no issues with his foot, he's trained well. If not a starter, he'll definitely play at least half the game."

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will be vital to Spurs' chances against United and could play 45 minutes each at Villa Park, while right-back Pedro Porro is likely to be protected for the final.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma may also share duties against Unai Emery's side, with Archie Gray pushing for another midfield start. Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson could be rested, paving the way for another opportunity for Wilson Odobert.

Richarlison, whose chances of starting the final have been lessened by Son's return to fitness, is pushing to play through the middle, while Mathys Tel is likely to be Son's understudy.

Timo Werner is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Dane Scarlett will miss the rest of the season after groin surgery and Radu Dragusin (knee) remains out.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Bissouma, Gray; Sarr, Odobert, Son; Richarlison

Injured: Kulusevski, Bergvall, Maddison, Dragusin, Werner, Scarlett

Time and date: 7.30pm BST on Friday May 16, 2025

Venue: Villa Park

How to watch: Sky Sports