Premier League: Time for Tottenham to Make a Statement

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

Since his return to English football Spurs head coach Antonio Conte has turned the North London side into a tougher outfit, but not everyone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is happy.

Without a trophy since time began, the Spurs faithful are currently watching their team fight for a top four place while their local rivals Arsenal sit at the top of the table, and the Premier League 2022 betting odds are starting to take the Gunners very seriously. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are second favourites to win the 2022/23 title while Spurs are ranked sixth, and it that turns out to be correct that means Europa League football for Conte’s men.       

With the World Cup now behind us Spurs got their Premier League campaign back up and running with a comeback draw away to Brentford while Aston Villa lost at home to Liverpool. Unai Emery has been in the hot-seat at Villa Park for just over a month, but he won’t receive a warm reception at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a former Arsenal boss.

But the players will focus on what they are doing, and Spurs’ stars need to make a statement and get a grip on their top four challenge.   

Talking Points

Spurs midfield pair can control this game

Before this match Spurs had won 13 points from losing positions in the league and when Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg grabbed a leveller against the Bees with a beautifully hit curler midway through the second half, that made it 14. It was also Hojbjerg’s fourth goal of the campaign, the same number as his midfield partner Rodrigo Bentancur.

The two of them have become a formidable pairing, both able to break up play and launch attacks, and with the ability to pop up with a vital goal when needed. Both Hojbjerg and Bentancur are physically strong and capable of winning most midfield battles. Spurs will boss the possession and their flair players will have ample opportunity on the ball, and if they can find Harry Kane with an inch of space he is in the mood to fill his boots. Having missed a penalty in England’s World Cup exit to France, the star striker shrugged off his disappointment with a trademark header to drag Spurs back into the match against Brentford. His goal in the 65^th minute was Kane’s 13^th of the campaign and Villa centre back Tyrone Mings is due a torrid afternoon.  

Emery looking for a New Year bounce  

Former Arsenal boss Emery led his new team to two wins from three on his appointment at the club in October, but Villa’s clash with Liverpool proved to be a step too far. A trip away to Tottenham is another tough assignment but the head coach will be looking to round off this year with another positive outcome. And that would include a draw. Picking up seven points from his first five games would be a decent return having taken over a club sliding towards the relegation zone; particularly when you look at the fixtures he has faced, as well as these two Emery’s team has beaten Manchester United and lost to Newcastle United.

This has been a tough start for sure.

But home matches against Wolves and Leeds United followed by a trip to Southampton present a great chance for a second bounce in the new year; though Emery wants to avoid back-to-back defeats on Sunday, and he has a decision to make as to whether to bring World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez back in for the Spurs game. The Argentina hero will return to Birmingham on Friday and the boss will assess whether or not he is fit enough to step straight back in, though understudy Robin Olsen, who did little wrong against the Reds, is ready to deputise again if needed.

Mings has a big responsibility at the heart of Villa’s defence while Ollie Watkins, who nicked a goal against Liverpool will be their biggest goal threat.

History

Tottenham have had the better of the head-to-head results, winning 25 of these encounters in the Premier League, while Aston Villa have won 15 and there have been 13 draws. Spurs did the double last season with a 2-1 win in London followed by a 4-0 raid at Villa Park.

In terms of recent form, across all competitions, there is little to choose as Tottenham have won two, drawn two and lost two, while Villa have won three and lost three.   

Betting Tip

Spurs home record of six wins and two losses, combined with the Villains’ achievements on the road of one win, two draws and five defeats makes the SBOTOP odds of 1.62 on a home win look about right. The draw is at 3.79 and Villa to win at 4.84 with the Double Chance at 2.13. But I think Spurs should have too much for their opponents; fail to win this and there will be more unhappy rumblings in the white half of North London!      

 

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