Premier League: What Will Give in Battle for Europa League?

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

In many ways, this Premier League encounter is last-chance saloon for both clubs as far as Europa League football is concerned next term.

Now given Aston Villa only appointed Unai Emery three months into the campaign when they were struggling at the wrong end of the table, they can be very pleased just to be in the discussion as Europe would not have even been on their radar.

In fact, until their most recent back-to-back defeats at Manchester United and Wolves, the Villains had been unbeaten in nine games.

Spurs, meanwhile, had their eye on a Champions League spot until the wheels came off their season with Antonio Conte, and the reign of a brief interim boss lasting four games ended in humiliation at Newcastle.

So, whoever delivers Premier League 2023 highlights and comes out on top in this one will effectively keep their ambitions alive.

Talking Points

Let’s start with the hosts who, with games also to come against fellow European hopefuls Liverpool and Brighton, will realise their hopes of securing continental football next season remain very much alive and, to a degree, in their own hands.

Having scored in 20 previous league games under Emery, Villa have failed to find the net in back-to-back fixtures under the Spaniard so a return to goals, led by the impressive Ollie Watkins, would be a big boost.

It would be unfair to put all the onus on their leading scorer, of course, and after misses like that of centre-back Tyrone Mings at Wolves, at least one point was left behind at Molineux.

While Villa were having a rare blank in front of goal, Spurs were keeping a rare clean sheet – their first in the top-flight since February – which provided the foundation for victory over in-form Crystal Palace.

And with England captain Harry Kane in their ranks, a clean sheet means they always have a chance of a victory.

When he expertly headed in Pedro Porro’s cross in first-half added time to reach 209 goals in the Premier League and surpass former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney, Kane became the outright second-highest goalscorer in its history.

It also ended a four-game winless run for a team managed until the end of the season by interim manager Ryan Mason.

His playing career cut short due to injury. Mason may only be 31, but the caretaker head coach showed he is not afraid to make big decisions after dropping Eric Dier for that match.

The defender has struggled to justify his place in recent weeks and Spurs looked far more secure with Cristian Romero operating alongside left-footed Clément Lenglet in the centre of a back four.

A shutout was Mason’s reward and, if injuries permit, you can see him naming an unchanged side for the trip to Villa Park.

With so much on the line, it should be close and it will likely be tense.

Whoever comes away empty-handed, though, it will surely spell the end of European dreams. A draw will not be much good either.

History

Two of the great English football institutions.

They first met in an FA Cup quarter-final in 1903 when Villa edged out the North Londoners by the odd goal in five.

That Spurs have won eight of their last 10 meetings shows how much Villa have been in the doldrums in recent years. However, Villa beat them 2-0 on their own turf on New Year’s Day when second half goals from Emi Buendía and Douglas Luiz sealed the points.

You have to go back to New Year’s Day 2008 the last time Villa beat Spurs at Villa Park. Back then, Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen were on target in a 2-1 success with Jermain Defoe netting for Spurs.

This corresponding fixture last season saw Spurs approaching their best form under Antonio Conte and a Son Heung-Min hat-trick inspired a 4-0 rout against Steven Gerrard’s side even if the contest was closely fought for the best part of an hour.

Overall, Spurs have triumphed in 77 of the games with Villa, winning 58 and a further 36 draws.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds actually make Villa slight favourites.

They are priced 1X2 @ 2.23 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.23 with Spurs on offer 1X2 @ 2.88 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.92.

Another 2-0 Villa win would pay out @ 11.50 with Correct Score, whereas a repeat of last season’s meeting would give you whopping odds of @ 185.00. Realistically, this should be a close contest with a few goals. And while I’ve even considered Spurs to lead at the break before the contest finishes level pegging – Half Time Full Time Away Draw is available @ 16.00 – I am plumping for a Draw @ 3.30.

 

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